2021 Symposium
Leveraging Beef Genetics as a Climate-Smart Sustainability Practice
Since 1975, the industry has increased beef production while cow inventory has reduced. Acknowledging and appreciating the sustainability improvements the beef industry has already made is how Dr. Robert Williams, Trust in Food Sustainable Livestock Technical Manager, kicked off his presentation during the Advancements in Efficiency and Adaptability breakout session….
American Breeds Provide Selection Indexes for Beef Producers
White explains the importance of understanding the benefits and consequences of selection indexes. “If we made EPDs and indices incredibly easy to drive and continue to improve them, would we have better adoption of them?” asked Dr. Kari White, Neogen genetic evaluation scientist. White discussed the economic selection indexes offered…
Updates from the Ultrasound Guidelines Council
Wall presents updates of the UGC moving forward. “During the certification process, technicians scanned big, heavy, fat steers for the most part. It is a difficult set of cattle so we’re running those people through the gauntlet and really testing whether they know how to collect a quality image or…
Using Genomics Effectively Improves Carcass and Meat Quality
Mateescu explains using genomics to uncover pleiotropic effects on carcass and meat quality. “Carcass and meat quality are important attributes of the beef industry because they drive profitability and consumer demand and they can also be improved,” said Dr. Raluca Mateescu, University of Florida professor. Mateescu gave her presentation, “Genomics…
Carcass Trait Accuracy Improves with Beef on Dairy Data
Weaber explains research findings on improvements of carcass traits utilizing beef on dairy genetics. “Do we provide a substantially different environment for seedstock bulls that we build versus what our commercial customers do for their calves or cows? I think there’s opportunities for us to think broadly about data capture,”…
Ultrasound and Genomic Data Enhances EPDs
Angus Genetics Program Director explains how ultrasound and genomic data will increase accuracy of expected progeny differences. “Seedstock breeders either love the phenotype data because that’s the real data or they love the genomic data because nobody can mess with it because that’s blood. The reality of the situation is…
A New Technology Allows Producers to Easily Compare EPDs Across Breeds
Culbertson explains International Genetic Solutions technology. “International Genetic Solutions (IGS) is leveraging the data across all breed association partners and using that information to increase the accuracy of prediction of our expected progeny differences (EPDs),” said Randie Culbertson, American Simmental Association lead geneticist. Culbertson explained IGS technology, challenges with the…
Increase Adaptability Through Use of Hair Shedding EPDs
Decker explains the importance of utilizing hair shedding EPDs to increase animal adaptability. “Hair shedding is linked to milk production, reproduction and possibly animal welfare. Hair shedding is easy to collect and predict so it may play a role in selecting genetics with an improved adaptability to heat stresses,” said…
Situational Indexes Positively Impact Beef Production Selection Decisions
Golden explains how beef producers can improve their sales through situational indexes.. “We need to talk to commercial bull buyers as if they’re making an investment, not an expense,” said Dr. Bruce Golden, Partner at Theta Solutions, LLC. Golden gave his presentation titled “Examining the Impact of Situational Indexes on…
Calving Ease Cows – Optimal or Extreme?
Finding a balance with calving ease. The questions, “Will easy calves grow into cows that have more calving difficulty?” and “Will calves from easy cows have higher mortality?” prompted the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) research on calving ease cows. Dr. Gary Bennett, from USMARC, presented their findings at…