A Steak in Genomics™

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...

The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program recently announced the requirement that natural service sires have genomic-enhanced EPDs . Where possible, genomic-enhanced EPDs should be available on the bull prior to purchasing him. However, this is not always the case. Some previously purchased bulls will need to be tested prior to February 1, 2020. If GE-EPDs are needed, DNA testing should be purchased and ordered through the breed association in which the bull is registered. For example, DNA testing for an Angus bull should be purchased through Angus Genetics, Inc. Do NOT purchase tests designed for commercial heifers (Igenity Beef, GeneMax Advantage, Method Genetics, etc.). Here is information on purchasing DNA testing for GE-EPDs for several common breed associations used in the program: Angus Contact AGI Customer Services at 816-383-5100 for assistance. Submitting DNA Samples to Angus Genetics Collecting DNA Samples Testing Options Red Angus Contact RAAA Nation...

New sire selection rules for Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers improve reliable calving-ease genetics. “Bulls used in the heifer program will carry DNA-tested EPDs (expected progeny differences),” said Jared Decker, University of Missouri Extension geneticist. The rules going into effect Feb. 1, 2019, were set by the SMS governing board of farmers. “DNA tests add reliability to EPDs for selecting herd bulls,” Decker said. Bulls for pasture-breeding heifers will carry genomic-enhanced EPDs. In the past, EPDs were based on pedigree and production tests. “Now GE EPDs combine DNA, pedigree and production data into a single tool,” he said. “DNA tests give results similar to 28 calving-ease production records,” Decker said. “More data boost confidence in a sire.” With DNA tests, EPDs result from checking blood drops, tissue samples or hair root bulbs. Blood or tissue tests are preferred, Decker said. A one-time test adds data on young bulls equal to years of production testing....

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...

Written by Duane Dailey Beef-cow herd owners will learn new ways to raise better calves at three University of Missouri meetings in March. The sessions lead producers from proven breeding to new uses of DNA. MU Extension animal scientists David Patterson and Jared Decker will lead the ReproGene Meetings. Management of fixed-time artificial insemination allows more live calves and more uniform calf crops. New DNA tools make rapid advances in beef quality. Genomics allow breeders to predict traits of the next generation. Traditionally, breeders use expected progeny differences (EPDs). Now, new EPDs add DNA data. Pedigrees and production testing are still used; however, genetically-enhanced EPDs give more accuracy. A simple DNA test with blood or hair samples replaces years of production testing. With GE-EPDs, the added DNA speeds improving traits, whether for maternal or meat market ends. Recent high premiums at packing plants signal demand for more high-qual...

Position: Assistant Extension Professor of Animal Sciences, non-tenure track 100% Extension Responsibilities: The person is expected to develop a nationally recognized education and engagement program in cow-calf production with emphasis on reproduction and management of the beef cow. This includes training regional extension livestock specialists, veterinarians and veterinary students, and allied industry personnel, interacting with cattle producers and agribusiness firms, and providing support for the National Center for Applied Reproduction and Genomics in Beef Cattle. Qualifications: The individual must have a Ph.D. in Animal Science and an extensive knowledge of the beef cattle industry. Experience with and a strong interest in working with beef cattle producers and allied industries is necessary. Must be able to interact and collaborate effectively with faculty in reproductive biology and genomics. Location: The Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columb...

On December 2, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Fruitland Livestock Auction, 80 bred heifers will be available for sale in the Southeast Missouri Show-Me-Select ™ Replacement Heifer Sale . Seven of these heifers are Show-Me-Plus ™ heifers.  A Show-Me-Plus™ heifer is a registered or commercial heifer that has genomic predictions. For a registered heifer, this means she has GE-EPDs. For commercial heifers, it means she has been tested with a DNA panel  providing genomic predictions. The following lots contain Show-Me-Plus™ heifers. Glen Birk Farms 1036 Co. Rd 341 Jackson, MO 63755 573-243-4874 12 Angus Heifers 7 Registered Angus 5 Commercial Angus 4 Show-Me-Plus Registered heifers: 1 is sired by KM Broken Bow 002, AI bred to Quaker Hill Rampage 0A36, bull calf due 2/8/18. This heifer qualifies as Tier II and has been i50K tested. 3 are sired by Birks O’Reilly Factor 83, AI bred to AAR Ten X 7008 SA, bull calves due 2/8/18. 1 is sired by GBF Upshot 4436, AI bred to ...

The Show-Me-Select ™ Replacement Heifer program will host a sale  December 8, 2017 at the Farmington Livestock Auction starting at 7:00 p.m. At the sale, 3 Show-Me-Plus ™  heifers will sell.  A Show-Me-Plus™ heifer is a registered or commercial heifer that has genomic predictions. For a registered heifer, this means she has GE-EPDs. For commercial heifers, it means she has been tested with a DNA panel providing genomic predictions. Below is information about the Show-Me-Plus™ heifers selling in Farmington, Missouri. Turner Farms Jon & Mary Ann Turner 10511 St. Hwy JJ Belgrade, MO 63622 (573) 766-5361 https://turnerangus.farm/ All three heifers are Registered Black Angus and have been GGP-LD genomic tested. All have been AI'ed and then pasture exposed to Briarwood Mr Bismarck 5014, a son of S A V Bismarck 5682. Two pregnancy checked AI bred; on natural service bred. One Tier-2 daughter of Connealy Courage 25L; natural bred to Briarwood Mr Bismarck 5...

Seven Show-Me-Plus ™  heifers will sell at the Show-Me-Select ™  Replacement Heifer Sale on November 25, 2017 at Kingsville Livestock Auction, starting at 11:00 a.m. A Show-Me-Plus ™  heifer is a registered or commercial heifer that has genomic predictions. For a registered heifer, this means she has GE-EPDs. For commercial heifers, it means she has been tested with a DNA panel providing genomic predictions. Below is information about the Show-Me-Plus ™  heifers selling in Kingsville. Balancer Heifers - Show Me Plus ™ ( 7 hd) Home-raised and very gentle, commercial Balancer heifers raised with low stress handling, rotational grazing and electric fenced trained.   Sired by Seedstock Plus Gelbvieh bulls that are full of performance and growth, maturing into super cows for the new owner.   Bred to Gelbvieh bulls full of performance, ranking in top 1% for milk, 5% for CE, TM and YG.   All heifers are genomically tested and qualify as Show Me Pl...