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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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ASA Fall Focus: BOLT

Bruce Golden
Theta Solutions LLC

Historically, Simmental has been one of the leaders in the development of genetic prediction.

There has been evolution of statistical models used to predict genetic merit (EPDs). Each time the EPDs got better and better. To predict EPDs, you do two things; first you build the problem on the computer then you solve the problem.

What drove the evolution of the methods used to predict genetic merit?
Knowledge of the model? All of these models were well known by 1970.
New methods? Maybe a little.
Data? Yes, there has been the creation of genomic data and more phenotypic records.

But, the main driver has been to improve the accuracy of prediction. Striving to reduce the prediction error variance. Try to make sure that we are making better solutions and increasing the rate of genetic gain.

Improvements in computing power has also helped in the development of genetic predictions.

Another change is going to be better DNA markers that are closer to the genes and causal variants.

Computer gaming required really fast and affordable computer processors. Theta Solutions is using these improvements in computing to increase the speed of genetic prediction.

Theta Solutions is taking the data, new hardware, and new computer programs to do genetic analysis of large genomic data.

"It is not enough to take the old software and run it on this new gaming hardware. It requires rethinking and rewriting the software." Golden said.

Not only are they trying to compute EPDs more quickly, is implementing models that are more complex and specific.

Why would one use a Bayesian sampler for mixed models?

  • No accuracy approximation bias (better way to calculate EPD accuracy)
  • Can get the prediction error covariance (Instead of just comparing a bull's accuracy to zero, you can compare the accuracy differences between bulls or between groups of bulls. This will also allow a highly reliable accuracy measure for economic selection indexes.)
  • Marker selection methods
  • Prior knowledge
The IGS analysis feels they have:
  • Superior Marker Effects Model
  • Superior accuracy computation
  • New stayability approach - Random regressions
  • New breed effects model (using USDA MARC differences and year trends)
  • Carcass traits are being solved together with birth weight (birth weight is included to acount for a selected subset of the animals having carcass data)
Also has a method for including external EPD


New stayability model can now differentiate between unknown or missing data versus data saying a cow did not calve.

Theta Solutions is going to start working on final production acceptance testing in two weeks.

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