53rd Annual BIF Research Symposium and Convention
June 22-25, 2021 • Iowa Events Center, Des Moines, Iowa
Registration | Schedule | Hotel and Location Info | Archives | Award Winners | Sponsors | Press Releases
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
8 am BIF Board of Directors Meeting
Young Producer Symposium ~Profitability in Balance~
1 pm Managing for Profitability: John Locke, Ranching for Profit instructor and J.D. Hudgins Inc. manager
1:45 pm Building a Brand: Rachel Cutrer, Ranch House Designs owner
2:30 pm Break
3 pm Breeding for Profitability — Keeping Balance for the Long Haul
Producer panel: Steve Radakovich, Bart Jones and Mary Ann Kniebel. Moderated by Brian McCulloh
5 pm Opening Reception
7 pm National Association of Animal Breeders Symposium
General Session I ~Beef Industry: Where is it Going?~
8 am Opening Comments and Welcome: John Lawrence, Iowa State University vice president for extension and outreach
8:15 am Meat Consumer Purchasing Trends & Expectations: Michael Uetz, Midan Marketing managing principal
9 am Lessons From Other Industries in Genetics: Jim Pillen, Pillen Family Farms owner
9:45 am Break
10:15 am We Can Sell More Beef: Dr. Dan Thomson, Iowa State University Department of Animal Science chair
11 am What I Heard: Troy Marshall, American Angus Association director of industry relations
11:30 am Panel Discussion with morning speakers, moderated by Troy Marshall
Noon Awards Luncheon
Presentation of BIF Commercial Producer, Continuing Service and Ambassador Awards and Roy Wallace Scholarship
2 pm Technical Breakouts
Advancements in Genomics and Genetic Prediction-Chair: Dr. Mark Thallman, US-Meat Animal Research Center
2 pm Genomic Dissection and Prediction of Bull Fertility – Dr. Francisco Penagaricano, University of Wisconsin
2:40 pm Proposed Guideline Revisions for Contemporary Groups – Dr. Mark Thallman, US-Meat Animal Research Center, and Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
3:20 pm Break
3:40 pm Low-pass Sequencing Reveals Functional Genomics Affecting Cow Weight and Productivity – Dr. Warren Snelling, US-Meat Animal Research Center
4:20 pm TBD
Advancements in Producer Applications -Chair: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky
2 pm Understanding the Value of Accuracy – Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2:45 pm Milk: Benefit or Burden – Ben Crites, University of Kentucky
3:20 pm Break
3:30 pm Selecting for Dollars: Putting Selection Indices to Work – Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee
4:15 pm Target Selection to Meet Consumer Demands – Dr. Jennifer Bormann, Kansas State University
Advancements in Efficiency and Adaptability-Chair: Dr. Mark Enns, Colorado State University
Coming soon.
5 pm Travel to Ames
6 pm Evening Social and Dinner at Hansen Agriculture Learning Center, Iowa State University
Welcome: Dan Robison, ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences dean
General Session II ~Precision Livestock Technology~
7:45 am Announcements
8 am Gene Editing Today and in the Future: Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, UC Davis Animal Genomics and Biotechnology
8:45 am The Role of Technology in the Beef Industry: Justin Sexten, Vice President of Strategy at Precision Livestock Analytics vice president of strategy
9:30 am Break
10 am Applying Precision Technologies: Panel Discussion
Early implications of intelligent intake management on selection: Pat Wall, ISU extension specialist
Our experience with behavior monitoring ear tags: Reiss Bruning, Bruning Farms
Our experience with virtual fencing systems: Cody Jorgensen, Jorgensen Land and Livestock
Moderated by Justin Sexten
11 am What I Heard: Scott Greiner, Virginia Tech University extension beef and sheep specialist
11:15 am BIF Board of Directors Caucuses and Elections
Noon Awards Luncheon
Presentation of BIF Pioneer and Seedstock Producer awards, Frank Baker & Lary Cundiff scholarships, retiring president’s comments, introduction of newly elected BIF Board of Directors and invitation to BIF 2022
2 pm Technical Breakouts
Advancements in Emerging Technology-Chair: Dr. Megan Rolf, Kansas State University
2 pm Multi-breed genetic evaluation: How does it work for seedstock and commercial cattle? – Dr. Randie Culbertson, American Simmental Association
2:40 pm Gene-Edited Food Animals – The path from Proof of concept to Commercial Use – Dr. Tad Sonstegard, Recombinetics
3:20 pm Break
3:30 pm Use of advanced reproductive technologies and inclusion of these records in genetic evaluation – Dr. Mark Thallman, US-Meat Animal Research Center
4:10 pm Practical Examples of Machine Learning in Animal Breeding – Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Advancements in End Product Improvement-Chair: Dr. Tommy Perkins, West Texas A & M University
2 pm Ultrasound Guidelines Council Update – Mr. Patrick Wall, UGC Executive Director
2:30 pm Impact of Ultrasound, Carcass and Genomic Data on Body Composition EPDs – Kelli Retallick, American Angus Association
3:15 pm Break
3:45 pm Use of New Generation Ultrasound Equipment to Collect Carcass Data – Dr. Tommy Perkins, West Texas A&M University
4:15 pm Genomics Use in Improving Meat Quality in Cattle – Dr. Raluca Mateescu, University of Florida
Advancements in Selection Decisions- Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2 pm An Update on and Demonstration of iGenDec – Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2:40 pm Examining the impact of situational indexes on selection decisions – Dr. Bruce Golden, Theta Solutions, LLC
3:25 pm Break
3:40 pm An Overview of Economic Selection Indexes Offered by American Breeds – John Genho, Neogen
4:20 pm Using Beef on Dairy Data to Increase the Accuracy of Selection Decisions for Carcass Traits – Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University
5 pm BIF Board of Directors Meeting
5 pm Cocktail hour
6 pm Dinner in Des Moines (not included in registration)
Post-conference Tours: Eastern Iowa or Western Iowa
7:30 am Load buses
6 pm Return to Iowa Events Center