News and Announcements
The Full Picture of Cow Efficiency
How balancing production cost control and efficiency can change your operation by Lauren Gatz, Beef Improvement Federation intern “Improving production or output is important, but in most publications, controlling costs trumps increasing output.” said Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University. In commercial cow-calf operations, cow cost accounts for about 60 to…
Kuehn Reports Results from the ARS Beef Grand Challenge
“The ARS Grand Challenge is a collaborative project designed to meet multiple goals including improve production efficiency, reduce environmental impact, encourage sustainable production, and focus on integrated research programs” said Dr. Larry Kuehn, research leader at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska. Kuehn gave his…
Making Genetic Progress in the Fescue Belt
“In Kentucky and Tennessee, we’ve been fortunate to have some cost-share dollars that have been going into a genetic improvement program that each of the states has done independently,” said Dr. Darrh Bullock,University of Kentucky extension professor, Lexington. Bullock gave his presentation “Genetic Improvement Programs in the Fescue Belt: Do…
Making Strides Toward Efficiency
Utilizing genetic selection to reduce the environmental impact of cattle. “There is some ability to select animals that produce less methane, which is pretty good news for us, because we can tell a really good story if we are able to handle this problem,” said Christine Baes, University of Guelph….
Matching Cattle Genetics to the Environment
“Is it worthwhile to try and match your genetics to the environment?” asked Dr. Jared Decker, Wurdack Chair of Animal Genomics, University of Missouri, to launch his presentation during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 11. According to Decker environmental stressors, like fescue toxicosis, cost…
Modern and Precise: Using Gene Editing to Change the Blueprint of an Organism
“Gene editing is the use of modern molecular technology to precisely change the DNA sequence of an organism. And the key words here are modern and precisely,” said Dr. Jon Beever from the University of Tennessee during his presentation titled “Biotechnology 101: A practical guide to gene editing and vaccinology”…
BIF Selects New Board, Officers
2024-2025 Beef Improvement Federation Board of Directors (seated, from left) are Gordon Jones, Lafayette, Tenn., president; Gordon Hodges, Hamptonville, N.C., vice president; Kevin Schultz, Haviland, Kan., past president; Bob Weaber, Kansas State University, BIF executive director; Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USDA Extension Service representative; Megan Rolf, Kansas State University,…
Bullock Presented BIF Pioneer Award
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Darrh Bullock, Georgetown, Kentucky, the BIF Pioneer Award June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The BIF Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle, honoring those who have had a major role…
Beever Presented BIF Pioneer Award
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Jon Beever, Knoxville, Tennessee, the BIF Pioneer Award June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The BIF Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle, honoring those who have had a major role…
Red Hill Farms Named BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) recognized Red Hill Farms, Lafayette, Tennessee, as the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year on June 12 during the group’s annual research symposium in Knoxville, Tennessee. This national award is presented annually to a producer to recognize their dedication to improving the beef industry at…