For those Steak in Genomics readers who have been
considering the value of commercial genomic testing, you may want to be made
aware of the following opportunity. Completed participation in the project (6
to 12-month commitment) would result in 100 free INHERIT Select tests ($2,900
value) as well as an additional $3,000 cash incentive. While this is not affiliated
with the University of Missouri, a lot of producers within the state would
qualify based on one or more of the definitions below.
USDA Climate-Smart Grant – Prescribed Grazing – Soil
Sampling - Complementary INHERIT Select Testing
Zoetis Beef Genetics is pleased to be working with Texas
A&M University-Kingsville and Leachman Cattle of Colorado LLC to support
first-generation and underserved ranchers in genetic testing and selection for
production efficiency and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. This project
is funded by a grant from USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities.
Details are provided below:
Defined Underserved Producers – Qualifications Include:
•
First
generation rancher/farmer, or young farmer/rancher – 10 years or less
•
Woman or
Minority
•
Veteran – 10 years or less since left service
(active duty)
•
Small producer (annual gross income from ag does
not exceed $350,000)
Benefits
•
$3,000 cash incentive for Practicing Prescribed
Grazing 528 (NRCS)
•
Up to 100 complimentary INHERIT Select genomic
tests for heifers / cows of qualifying breed composition – $2,900 retail value
($29 / test)
•
INHERIT Select enables more informed selection
and breeding decisions through trait and index predictions, parent discovery,
genomic breed composition, INHERIT Insights, and eventually genetic predictions
for Green House Gas (GHG) and GHG Efficiency
Requirements / Process
•
Register with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
& request FSA Subsidiary Print
•
Complete the Climate Smart Grant contract –
available from Zoetis beef genetics field and inside sales colleagues, as well
as project manager, Dr. Mark Allan (see below)
•
Contact Dr. Mark Allan - allangeneticsolutions@gmail.com
– 712-449-8264 to develop a Prescribe Grazing 528 Plan, or work with your FSA
program administrator
•
Submit the FSA Subsidiary Print, completed
Climate Smart Grant Contract and Prescribed Grazing 528 Plan to Dr. Mark Allan
for approval and to initiate the process of getting DNA collectors (Zoetis) and
soil sampling kits (TAMU)
•
Collect DNA samples, complete INHERIT Select
order form with confidential billing code, and submit to Zoetis Genetics –
results anticipated within four weeks
•
Collect and submit soil samples to Texas A&M
University, Kingsville at the beginning of prescribed grazing, and again at the
end of the USDA Climate Smart project, from the same tract of land (2026)
•
Submit evidence of execution of Prescribed
Grazing Plan 528 between six- and 12-months following the start of the grazing
plan to Dr. Mark Allan – template available - to receive the $3,000 incentive
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