A Steak in Genomics™

Are cattle responsible for 51% of greenhouse gas emissions? How can technology help?
Head over to the Show-Me Ag website to see Jared Decker discuss beef cattle, the environment and genetics.
https://www.kmos.org/ShowMeAg/
Episode from December 12, 2019 (2019/12/12, titled "Cattle Genetics").

The Red Angus Association of America is seeking feedback on their economic selection indexes. Producers can provide feedback at this link:
https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5183855/RedAngusAssociation?fbclid=IwAR3qskT1DJ6UMbSIS2R3ul316FQ6L_k-Gt_DYDq8wB8omLQOgkG1yCuAGbM

To be frank, I am conflicted by this process.

On one hand, I think it is important to have translational research be a collaborative process. Further, users are more likely to trust and use a technology if they were involved in its creation.

However, often times, optimal selection decisions are counterintuitive (need to write a blog post on this). I feel strongly that selection decisions are best made when driven by data, and that includes design of selection tools.

American Angus Association went through a similar process, and it is my understanding they used the survey data to weight economic importance of traits that are hard to pin down, such as claw set and docility. Traits that are economically important, but are some…

Youth interested in the beef industry are encouraged to compete in a national essay contest. Essays should respond to the prompt “What does it mean to be a beef breeder in the 21st century?”

The winning essay will be published in one of BEEF magazine’s online newsletters (e.g. BEEF Daily or BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly). The 2nd through 5th place essays will be published on A Steak in Genomics blog. We will award $500 for first, $300 for second, and $200 for third place in the contest. New this year, we will have two age divisions, "13 and Younger" and "14 to 19". 

Essays will be judged by beef genetics extension specialists, breed association staff, and trade publication staff.

Essays will be judged on their ability to encourage best practices and technology adoption by describing:
Trust and effectiveness of beef breeding best practices and technologies.Simplicity of using technology.The profit and sustainability outcomes of using best practices and technology.

Essays are requ…