A Steak in Genomics™

Kevin and Lydia Yon describe their motivation for using genomic-enhanced EPDs in a recent segment on The Angus Report. Listening to their comments, one gets the sense that a good reputation from a reliable product is important to their operation. To provide reliable information to their commercial bull buyers they have collected various forms of performance data, from weights to ultrasound data. They value the increase accuracy of genomic-enhanced EPDs and feel that they can be more confident in the bulls they place with customers. The approach Yon Family Farms is just one of many applications and benefits of genomic-enhanced EPDs. Genomic-enhanced EPDs can also be used to increase rate of genetic progress, select for an optimum , decrease the generation interval, put more intensity on the selection of females, or select for difficult to measure traits.

Jimmy Goode is a seedstock producer who understands the potential of genomics. I'm glad to see he was highlighted on The Angus Report . He points out that genomic testing improves accuracy for the EPDs of young animals. Goode also highlights that genomic predictions are applicable in large and small operations.

The North American Limousin Foundation announced new prices for genetic testing. Of particular note, is the new price for genomic-enhanced EPDs coming in at $60 or $55 if bundled with another test. As the price of genomic-enhanced EPDs continues to decrease , it becomes more attractive for producers to test larger numbers of animals. Other reminders: • DNA Results are sent to NALF from the lab every Thursday,  results are then processed in the NALF system and available to members on Fridays. • NALF only registers ET calves off of the DNA test request form. Any natural calves must be submitted on a natural calf registration application. • February 15th is the deadline to submit data to be included in the next genetic evaluation (calculation of EPDs).

Real-world research utilizing crossbreeding has led to documented real-world results in hybrid female demand compared to straight-bred females. During the recent Circle A Ranch Sale Oct. 19, 29 black-baldie heifers averaged $2,960, and the top-selling lot was black-baldie heifers bred with heifer-calf-confirmed pregnancies at $3,450 each. The average price paid for the 269 straight-bred Angus heifers was $2,431. That’s a crossbred advantage of $529 per head in price. In 2007 Circle A Ranch, Iberia, Mo., began a research project with the American Hereford Association (AHA) designed to determine and measure the advantages of using Hereford genetics on commercial Angus cows. Results from the project documented the Hereford efficiency advantage with a 7% increase in conception rate along with improved feed efficiency and average daily gain. Utilizing the Circle A data, economist Vern Pierce developed an economic model which projected that over a 10-year period, using Hereford bulls on An...

The annual Taney County Livestock and Forage Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, February 27 at the Forsyth High School Cafeteria (Panther Pit) in Forsyth, Missouri.  This popular University of Missouri Extension program is attended by livestock producers in order to learn the latest information to manage their farms better and improve farm income. “This long-running conference continues to equip livestock producers to better manage their operations and provide quality beef products for consumers,” said Tim Schnakenberg, University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist based in Galena. “The program will focus on a variety of topics useful for all livestock producers.” A planning committee from the community organized a discussion on timely management concerns for cattlemen.  Dr. Jared Decker, state extension beef specialist from Columbia will lead a discussion on how to make good beef cattle selection decisions when producers are trying to build back their herd...

Wanted to give you all a heads up that I will be presenting at the Taney County Livestock & Forage Conference, Thursday February 27, 2014. The program will run from 6 to 9 pm at the Forsyth High School Cafeteria - Panther Pit, Forsyth, MO . There will be a beef dinner , followed by my presentation on "Beef Cattle Selection Decisions" in which I will be discussing genetic testing in beef cattle, how to understand sale catalogs and make well-founded breeding decisions. I will be followed by Stacy Hambelton who will discuss "Evaluating the Cost of Retaining Heifers" and Tim Schnakenberg who will discuss "A Look at Some Developing Pasture Weeds". Please preregister by calling 417-546-4431 by February 24th. This program is made possible by the Taney County Extension Council and the Taney County Commission. A meal will be provided at this conference courtesy of Branson Bank, First Community Bank, and Peoples Bank.

MAGNUM - AMGV38 Picture from search.gelbvieh.org On January 14th, Dr. Jon Beever of the University of Illinois sent a letter to the Board of Directors of the American Gelbvieh Association informing them that his lab had resolved issues with odd results when testing fullblood Gelbvieh animals with the DNA test for Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA, “fawn calf”). One of the oldest fullblood Gelbvieh bulls, Magnum (AMGV38) tested as a carrier of the CA abnormality, and several other Gelbvieh animals with little Angus influence tested as either affected or carrier. Dr. Beever took several lines of action to evaluate what was producing the odd results and after DNA sequencing the region in the Gelbvieh animals found that the protein sequence was still functional in the Gelbvieh animals. But, the DNA base pair used in the diagnostic test was the same in affected Angus and normal Gelbvieh. Thus, the test was producing false positives in Gelbvieh animals. Dr. Beever originally designed...