Texas A&M University-Kingsville Looking for Underserved Producers to Participate in USDA Climate-Smart Grant

For those Steak in Genomics readers who have been considering the value of commercial genomic testing, you may want to be made aware of the following opportunity. Completed participation in the project (6 to 12-month commitment) would result in 100 free INHERIT Select tests ($2,900 value) as well as an additional $3,000 cash incentive. While this is not affiliated with the University of Missouri, a lot of producers within the state would qualify based on one or more of the definitions below.

USDA Climate-Smart Grant – Prescribed Grazing – Soil Sampling - Complementary INHERIT Select Testing

Zoetis Beef Genetics is pleased to be working with Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Leachman Cattle of Colorado LLC to support first-generation and underserved ranchers in genetic testing and selection for production efficiency and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. This project is funded by a grant from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities. Details are provided below:

Defined Underserved Producers – Qualifications Include:

•                     First generation rancher/farmer, or young farmer/rancher – 10 years or less

•                     Woman or Minority

•                     Veteran – 10 years or less since left service (active duty)

•                     Small producer (annual gross income from ag does not exceed $350,000)

Benefits

•                     $3,000 cash incentive for Practicing Prescribed Grazing 528 (NRCS)

•                     Up to 100 complimentary INHERIT Select genomic tests for heifers / cows of qualifying breed composition – $2,900 retail value ($29 / test)

•                     INHERIT Select enables more informed selection and breeding decisions through trait and index predictions, parent discovery, genomic breed composition, INHERIT Insights, and eventually genetic predictions for Green House Gas (GHG) and GHG Efficiency

Requirements / Process

•                     Register with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) & request FSA Subsidiary Print

•                     Complete the Climate Smart Grant contract – available from Zoetis beef genetics field and inside sales colleagues, as well as project manager, Dr. Mark Allan (see below)

•                     Contact Dr. Mark Allan - allangeneticsolutions@gmail.com – 712-449-8264 to develop a Prescribe Grazing 528 Plan, or work with your FSA program administrator

•                     Submit the FSA Subsidiary Print, completed Climate Smart Grant Contract and Prescribed Grazing 528 Plan to Dr. Mark Allan for approval and to initiate the process of getting DNA collectors (Zoetis) and soil sampling kits (TAMU)

•                     Collect DNA samples, complete INHERIT Select order form with confidential billing code, and submit to Zoetis Genetics – results anticipated within four weeks

•                     Collect and submit soil samples to Texas A&M University, Kingsville at the beginning of prescribed grazing, and again at the end of the USDA Climate Smart project, from the same tract of land (2026)

•                     Submit evidence of execution of Prescribed Grazing Plan 528 between six- and 12-months following the start of the grazing plan to Dr. Mark Allan – template available - to receive the $3,000 incentive