Featured Post

Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

Image
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...
1 comment

ReproGene Workshops: High-quality, profitable beef made possible by genetic tests

Five meetings explain options.

Making quality beef for more farm profits becomes predictable by using genetic testing.
Meetings across Missouri will review current breeding technology and explain new genomic tools.
University of Missouri Extension specialists plan meetings in Maryville, Kingsville, Macon, Springfield and Jackson.
The five meetings are called "ReproGene: Taking the next steps in beef cattle reproduction and genetics."
Missouri herd owners can learn to produce more profitable cattle with better genetics. EPDs, expected progeny differences, guided improvement.
With genomic testing, all heifers in a herd can be DNA-tested. This provides accurate predictions of future calf performance.
Now producers can use genetic information on the male and female side of the herd, Decker says.
On the reproduction side, Dave Patterson will tell of new research that offers better conception rates from artificial insemination (AI). Split-time AI gets more cows pregnant.
Also coming is the use of sex-sorted semen. This allows making heifers or bulls. The sex can be set before insemination.
Many new tools are available on the genetic side, Decker said. Mostly, the tests are breed-specific. Different tests are used for registered and commercial herds. However, some tests work on crossbred or mixed-breed cattle.
DNA samples can come from blood drawn from a calf’s ear or from the root bulb from tail hair. Many producers use convenient tissue sampling units that take a punch from the ear.
New technology allows breeding higher-value animals, selecting traits that improve pregnancy rates and carry through to final product at the packing plant.
To gain full advantage of the advances will take more attention to marketing of cattle. Further, genetic predictions can actually be used to place a value on the calf crop. Now, the producer can get paid for the genetic merit of their cattle through various programs.
Those attending can start on being a step ahead in building profits in their beef herds. As cattle prices fall, quality premiums gain value. Efficiency improves and adds sustainability.
Options will be explained in the three-hour sessions. A meal will be served at each location.
Meeting places, times and contacts:

  • March 7, Maryville, 5:30-9 p.m. Northwest Technical School. AmieSchleicher, Rock Port, 660-744-6231.
  • March 9, Kingsville, 5-8:30 p.m., Kingsville Livestock Auction. DavidHoffman, Harrisonville, 816-380-8460.
  • March 11, Macon, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Floral Hall, Macon County Park, South Highway 63. Anita Snell, Milan, 660-265-4541; Daniel Mallory, New London, 573-985-3911.
  • March 16, Springfield, 4-8:30 p.m., Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. Eldon Cole, Mount Vernon, 417-466-3102; Andy McCorkill, Buffalo, 417-345-7551.
  • March 28, Jackson, 5:30-9 p.m., MU Extension Center in Cape Girardeau County. Erin Larimore, Jackson, 573-243-3581.

Organizers ask for advance registration to plan meals and handouts. Details available from local organizers.

 Special thanks to our sponsors:
  • Zoetis
  • Neogen-GeneSeek
  • Select Sires
  • International Genetic Solutions
  • Method Genetics
  • MFA Inc.
  • Beefmaster Breeders United
  • Genex
  • ABS



For more than 100 years, University of Missouri Extension has extended university-based knowledge beyond the campus into all counties of the state. In doing so, extension has strengthened families, businesses and communities.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Show-Me-Select Board Approves Genomic Testing Requirement for Natural Service Sires

Image
All bulls purchased after February 1st, 2019 for use as natural service sires in the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program ™  must be DNA tested to have genomic-enhanced EPDs. All bulls used as natural service sires after February 1st, 2020 must have genomic-enhanced EPDs, regardless of when they were purchased. Seedstock producers classifying bulls as Show-Me-Select qualified in sale books must have genomic-enhanced EPDs on those lots. Bulls purchased prior to February 1st, 2019 will be grandfathered into the program, as is the common practice with all natural service sires. However, this grandfather grace period will end February 1st, 2020. At that time for a bull to qualify for use in the program, it must have genomic-enhanced EPDs. Why the change? The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program has the goal of producing premium heifers that perform predictably as 2 year olds. The program has a history of requiring Show-Me-Select producers to go beyond typical...
Read more

New Show-Me-Select Sire EPD Requirements Announced

Image
At the January 4th Show-Me-Select Board of Directors meeting, new service sire EPD requirements were approved. All sires, artificial insemination and natural service, must meet minimum Calving Ease Direct (CED) EPD requirements. In addition to yearly updates, two changes were made. First, no Birth Weight EPD requirement will be published. All commonly used breeds now have CED EPDs available. Second, all breeds in the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) genetic evaluation are now set to a common requirement. In the summer of 2018, breeds within the International Genetic Solutions switched to a single-step BOLT multi-breed genetic evaluation. The EPDs for animals in the IGS genetic evaluation are directly comparable across breeds. In 2017, the Red Angus requirement for CED was a CED of 8, which represents the 30th percentile. Less than 5% percent of heifers breed to a bull with a CED EPD of 8 or larger had calving difficulty. We feel that this require is meeting the need to re...
Read more

Bob Hough Comments on Changes at Breed Associations

Bob Hough recently posted the following comment on Facebook (posted with his permission): Early in my career at a breed association, the much beloved American Angus breed executive told me that the secret to success running a breed association was to have a top junior program, keep the books straight, and make sure the numbers (EPDs) don't change. This philosophy meant Angus valued stability in their genetic predictions over keeping them up-to-date with the latest science. The Angus Association also marketed extremely effectively the infallibility of their EPDs because of the size of their database. I will start with the later. Yes, a database needs certain critical mass to make sure the animals are tied, but that can be achieved in a modest size database. After that, data quality far and away outweighs data quantity in assuring the most precise and reliable EPDs possible. On the former point, Angus breeders are simply not use to change. This is not the case in most breed associ...
Read more