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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...
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Summary of the DNA Technology: Where we've been, where we are, and where we're headed Conference

Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE

Matt Spangler
University of Nebraska-Lincoln


 Why are we working on these novel traits?
 Because they have great economic importance.
 Further, they have heritable genetic variation.

 We do have EPDs for feed intake and fertility, but they are not as pervasive as other (weight and carcass) traits.

Continued phenotypic data collection and recording is critically needed. But, the breed associations have to do something with the data. Otherwise, progressive seedstock producers will look outside breed associations for genetic evaluations. This will not be a great outcome for commercial cattle producers.

Nine breeds are already incorporating genomic information into EPD, with many other breeds right on the cusp of releasing genomic-enhanced EPDs.

As genotyping becomes more common and more animals are genotyped, many of the current limitations are eliminated. But, there is continued room for statistical approaches to be refined.

 Genotyping entire cohorts (groups) fixes many of the problems.

Many groups are rapidly expanding the amount of cattle genomic sequence data. But, substantial effort will be required to turn this data into deliverables and information for the beef industry.

Please check out beefefficiency.org for more information from the DNA Technology Conference.

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