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Showing posts from May, 2018

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Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

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By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal

Crossbreeding Considerations

Simplicity, management key to successful program  Story by Lisa Henderson Reprinted from Cattlemen' s News . Fewer open cows, less death loss, more growth, more milk and more efficiency. Those are the significant economic advantages crossbreeding can offer your cattle operation. “A crossbred cow is 25 percent more productive over her lifetime compared with a straight-bred commercial cow,” says University of Missouri animal scientist Jared Decker. “Not only do we see increased growth performance out of crossbred cattle, but we see significant impacts on fertility and reproduction.” Decker adds bluntly, “All commercial operations should consider using crossbreeding.” While the popularity of breeds can rise and fall over time, crossbreeding remains an advantageous practice for commercial herds. Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, and breed complementarity are the primary benefits realized from a properly planned crossbreeding program. Heterosis is the increase in perfo

Link Round Up, May 4th, 2018

Red Angus Association of America announces release of Dry Matter Intake (DMI) and Average Daily Gain (ADG) EPDs. https://www.progressivecattle.com/news/industry-news/8383-red-angus-association-releases-two-new-epds-aimed-at-increasing-efficiency Why not release a RFI EPD? The animals ranking for feed efficiency changes based on how we express the trait.  http://blog.steakgenomics.org/2014/08/improving-feed-efficiency-feed.html The best way to account for the cost of additional feed intake is through an economic selection index in which we balance both growth and intake. "Five Reasons to DNA Test Your Cows" https://hereford.org/2018/05/five-reasons-to-dna-test-your-cows/ Head over to the American Hereford Association website to learn more about DNA testing your cowherd. Speaking of DNA testing cows... Leoma Wells provided an update on the American Simmental Association's Cow Herd Roundup (CHR) on their Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/AmericanSimmental