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“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 Incentives Raise the Bar or Just the Price?” during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium June 11 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Bull cost-share programs
The Kentucky Beef Cattle Genetic Improvement Program and the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, both established in the early 2000s, were designed to assist cattle producers in making genetic progress through bull cost-share initiatives. Bullock explained bulls must meet expected progeny difference (EPD) requirements and be genomically tested to enter the program. Bulls are categorized by their general strengths, including calving ease, terminal production and trait balance. These programs are built on science and technology, including EPDs from various breed associations, genomic data and research from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.
While implementing bull cost-share programs has led to faster genetic progress in cattle, that is not the only goal of the projects. “The educational part is huge,” Bullock explained. “For us to go out and actually educate commercial cattlemen on the best way to buy bulls, as well as other management practices, is a huge aspect of these programs.”
Continued education is a requirement to participate in either program; specifically, sound management practices, such as breeding soundness exams (BSE), Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training, vaccination programs and crossbreeding, are encouraged.
Program successes to date
Highlighting some successes of these programs, Bullock touched on behavior changes observed in producers and a comparison between beef genetics in the fescue belt and the national average. Since the start of each initiative, breed associations have seen an increase in data submissions and use of genomic technology by seedstock producers. Commercial producers have gained a better understanding of EPDs and the benefits of genomically enhanced EPDs. Based on data provided by the American Angus Association, cattle in Kentucky and Tennessee are currently better than average for multiple EPDs and important selection indexes.
Bullock also pointed out that genomic testing in these regions has significantly increased. While only a small percentage of bulls sold each year in Kentucky and Tennessee go through the cost-share programs, these initiatives are proving to have a significant impact on beef genetics in the region.