iGENDEC is a web-based tool to enable the construction of economically optimal selection indexes. iGENDEC allows index customization through adjustment of economic and production parameters to reflect unique enterprise or production scenarios, including sale-point of calves, current phenotypic means, economic parameters, breed(s), and planning horizon. Although the web-based system is user friendly, we strongly encourage that users possess a solid background in beef cattle genetics, especially index selection theory or seek advice from someone that does. This tool can be used to develop general-use indexes offered by beef breed associations or customized indexes for specific enterprises. iGENDEC can also be used as a teaching tool in the classroom and in extension programming efforts.
The initial development of iGENDEC was supported by a competitive USDA-NIFA-CARE grant.
The access fee structure for iGENDEC is as follows:
- Extension: Free
- Education: Free
- Regular BIF voting members (category A): $650/yr.
- All other users: $1,300/yr.
There is also a free 30-day trial option available for users who wish to learn more about the potential applications of iGENDEC.
For more details related to iGENDEC please review the following resource.
- An Update on and Demonstration of iGENDEC – Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln