A Steak in Genomics™

Position: Assistant Extension Professor of Animal Sciences, non-tenure track 100% Extension
Responsibilities: The person is expected to develop a nationally recognized education and engagement program in cow-calf production with emphasis on reproduction and management of the beef cow. This includes training regional extension livestock specialists, veterinarians and veterinary students, and allied industry personnel, interacting with cattle producers and agribusiness firms, and providing support for the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics in Beef Cattle. Qualifications: The individual must have a Ph.D. in Animal Science and an extensive knowledge of the beef cattle industry. Experience with and a strong interest in working with beef cattle producers and allied industries is necessary. Must be able to interact and collaborate effectively with faculty in reproductive biology and genomics. Location: The Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missour…

By Troy Rowan and Jared Decker, PhD, University of Missouri
Reprinted with permission of the ASA SimTalk magazine, from the Late Fall 2017 issue.

The United States is home to diverse climates and geographies. Over the past 150 years, beef cattle have found their way into nearly every one of these unique environments. Some cattle thrive in particular environments, while others struggle. Animals well-suited to an environment performed well and are selected to stay in herds. Poorly-suited animals are culled. As a result, selection occurred on traits that improved cattle performance in different environments. Now, resulting from this selection, there may be a significant amount of region-specific genetic diversity, even within the same breed. In a USDA-funded research project, we are looking to find the DNA variants responsible for this environmental adaption. We will then use these variants to create geographic region-specific genomic predictions.

Local Adaptation
Animals that are poorly a…

We are happy to announce the winners of our national youth essay contest.
Youth responded to the question, “What does it mean to be a beef breeder in the 21st century?”
1st: Grace Erickson, Bolivar, MO, Bolivar FFA, Woodlawn 4-H, Missouri Junior Simmental Association, American Junior Simmental Association
See her essay at BEEF Daily.
2nd:Jackson Barry, Canton, MO, Canton FFA, Shamrock 4-H in Clark County
3rd: Jacob Jones, Stillwater, OK, Stillwater FFA, International Junior Brangus Breeders Association, Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association
4th: Brooke Falk, Harveyville, KS, North American Limousin Juniors Association
5th: Brooklynn Salo, Laramie, WY,  Snowy Range FFA, Albany County 4-H
6th: Wesley Denton, Blue Rapids, KS, Valley Heights FFA, National Junior Hereford Association, Wide Awake 4-H Club
7th: Garrett Stanfield, Manchester, OH, American Junior Simmental Association

Grace Erickson's essay will be appearing on the BEEF magazine website. Watch for other winning essays here a…

Written by Logan Jackson
College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
The Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) boasts many strengths, including its vast research and work with beef cattle reproduction and genetics. The faculty, who have responsibilities not only in research, but also in teaching, extension and economic development, are experts in taking their findings and sharing them with farmers, ranchers and the Missouri community as a whole.

With the help of a $300,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the division will be able to expand on those leadership opportunities.
The grant, through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), will be used to develop The National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics (NCARG) in Beef Cattle. The goal of NCARG will be to promote the economic impact of the technologies Mizzou Animal Sciences faculty have developed…

Dr. Richard Willham passed away the weekend of December 31, 2017.

Dr. Richard Willham was a leader in the development of EPDs.

Watch this video produced by Angus TV.


Also, visit the American Society of Animal Science Taking Stock blog to read more about Dr. Willham's life and work.

Four sessions will help producers better utilize genetics in beef production
Cattle genetics will be the focus of a new set of webinars to help cattlemen and women better use the tool in their operations.  The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is teaming up with six genetics specialists from across the country to offer the NCBA Cattlemen’s Genetics Webinar Series, which will kick off Jan. 18, 2018.

Titled “Fake News: EPDs Don’t Work,” the January webinar will be followed by sessions in February, March and April that explore other aspects of genetic utilization that will give cattle producers a knowledge boost on cattle selection and breeding.

Providing expertise to producers through the webinar series is the eBEEF team, a group of six genetic specialists from five academic institutions that have invested time and resources in the advancement of the cattle industry through genetics. Members of the team are: Darrh Bullock, Ph.D., University of Kentucky; Jared Decker, Ph.D., Univers…