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

RAAA Implements Updated Zoetis Genomic Test

Red Angus Announcement

The Red Angus Association of America is excited to announce the release of Zoetis’ HD50K/i50K Version 2 genomic test along with the release of the Fall 2017 EPDs. Representing a recalibration of Zoetis’ original genomic test, Version 2 provides Red Angus breeders with a significant improvement in genetic prediction accuracy.  

Made possible by Red Angus breeders’ adoption of genomic technology, the Version 2 test was developed using Zoetis’ growing volume of 50K data on Red Angus animals. As a direct result, the population of animals used for the development of the Version 2 test consisted of mostly Red Angus animals along with strategically selected Black Angus animals. This is a distinct improvement from the original “Global Angus” test, which was developed using a higher percentage of Black Angus animals. Thus, the Version 2 test represents a significant improvement in RAAA’s ability to provide accurate EPDs on HD50K/i50K-tested animals.

Another exciting improvement is Zoetis’ Version 2 test provides genomic data for RAAA’s entire suite of EPDs. Therefore, in addition to the genomic-enhanced EPDs provided by the previous “Global Angus” test, breeders will now receive HD50K/i50K-powered genomic enhanced Stayability, Heifer Pregnancy and Maintenance Energy EPDs. Relatedly, HD50K/i50K-tested animals will receive a genomic-enhanced HerdBuilder index. 

Animals tested with the original Zoetis genomic test have already been upgraded to the Version 2 test. As a result of the improvement in genetic prediction, EPDs of upgraded animals have the potential to change. Similar to EPD changes and increases in accuracy resulting from the addition of progeny data, the updated EPDs represent an improvement in the prediction of animals’ genetic merit. 

Visit RedAngus.org/genetics to order – or learn more about – Zoetis’ Version 2 HD50K/i50K test. 

Additional Information

This recalibration performed by Zoetis included over 8,500 seedstock animals. Progeny equivalents, or the boost in EPD accuracy if the genomic data had been progeny data, ranged from 6 to 53 (Table 1.) Not only do genomic predictions provide increased data for estimating EPDs, they also verify parentage. When parentage issues are identified, they can be corrected, thus improving the quality of the reported EPDs.

Zoetis markets an i50K product. The "i" stands for imputation, or the process of inferring genotypes for DNA markers not tested based on the patterns of the tested DNA markers. The correlation of the Molecular Value Predictions (MVP®) calculated from i50K versus the HD 50K is around 0.99.

The correlations between the MVP® and the true breeding values avereaged 0.63, with a low of 0.46 for Milk (it has been difficult to predict maternal effects) and a high of 0.79 for calving ease direct (CED).

TABLE 1. GE-EPD ACCURACY (BIF) AND APPROXIMATE PROGENY EQUIVALENTS POWERED BY HD 50K/I50K V2 FOR RED ANGUS
Trait
h2
HD 50K Genomic Correlation
Pedigree (P) EPD Accuracy
Accuracy from 50K
GE-EPD Accuracy (P+50K)
Pedigree (P) EPD Progeny Equivalents
HD 50K Progeny Equivalents
Total Progeny Equivalents (P+50K)
CED
0.14
0.79
0.17
0.26
0.43
11
42
53
BW
0.37
0.71
0.24
0.16
0.4
7
10
17
WW
0.26
0.65
0.22
0.13
0.35
9
10
19
YW
0.22
0.72
0.22
0.17
0.39
11
17
28
Milk
0.13
0.46
0.16
0.07
0.23
11
7
18
ME
0.65
0.76
0.11
0.27
0.38
1
10
11
HPG
0.24
0.69
0.14
0.19
0.33
5
14
19
CEM
0.15
0.66
0.17
0.16
0.33
10
19
29
STAY
0.1
0.65
0.18
0.15
0.33
17
26
43
Marb
0.54
0.6
0.15
0.13
0.28
2
4
6
YG
0.4
0.6
0.14
0.14
0.28
3
5
8
CW
0.38
0.78
0.19
0.24
0.43
4
15
19
REA
0.46
0.56
0.14
0.12
0.26
2
4
6
FAT
0.35
0.48
0.17
0.07
0.24
4
3
7


The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting the competitive advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. The RAAA provides commercial producers with the most objectively described cattle in the industry by seeking and implementing new technologies based on sound, scientific principles that measure traits of economic importance. For more information, visit RedAngus.org.

Sources: Red Angus Association of America and Zoetis.

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