Latest News From Beef Genetics

As beef-on-dairy animals within the feedlot system continue to rise, feedlots are craving two key pieces of information to help ensure these crossbred cattle thrive.

No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.

As milk prices continue to sink lower, more and more dairy producers are turning their attention to creating a healthy beef cross calf to generate additional income for their farms.

New selection traits are being developed to reduce maintenance energy requirements, increase feed efficiency and decrease methane emissions.

With a long window and investment to determine a heifer’s fate in the herd, producers should take advantage of genomic testing to get accurate information on maternal, performance, and carcass traits.

For seedstock producers, reporting performance data is critical in EPD accuracy.

Using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and sensor technologies, Oklahoma State University researchers have embarked on a groundbreaking project aimed at studying stress in cattle.

Now available in a research EPD format, functional longevity (FL) evaluates how long Angus cows stay in the herd and how many calves they produce.

For cow-calf producers, fall is often a time for preconditioning, weaning and marketing calves. While prices will likely be towards the top end this year, could you still be leaving money on the table?

To further understand the links between genetics and cattle growth efficiency, University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers are focusing on cattle’s mitochondria—a piece of DNA inherited exclusively from the mother.

Bull purchases are among the riskiest decisions commercial cow-calf operators make, says University of Tennessee professor Dr. Troy Rowan.

The study of epigenetics identifies changes in gene function that are not due to mutations but rather how the DNA is packaged in the cell and turned on or off in the wrong conditions.

Dr. Troy Rowan with the University of Tennessee discussed sequencing strategies to enhance the next generation of genetic evaluations during the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium July 4 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 

The American Hereford Association launches Baldy Advantage, a quarterly publication highlighting the experiences and insights of commercial cow-calf producers using Hereford-sired baldy cattle to their benefit.

A new study measured feed efficiency data for yearling Brahman bulls and to determine the relationship of these efficiency groupings to growth, feedlot performance, carcass traits, and tenderness of Brahman steers.

Missouri researcher Jared Decker used the commercial genomic prediction tool Zoetis GeneMax Advantage to investigate the ability of the test to predict the performance and profitability of a group of Angus calves.

Raising heat-tolerant cattle that are able and willing to go further to graze in subtropical climates is the goal of a new beef cattle research project at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research station at Beeville.

Scientists at Clay Center, Neb., have collaborated to produce the first gene-edited calf with resistance to bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a virus that costs the U.S. cattle sector billions of dollars annually.

Cows contribute half the genetics and all the colostrum.

Precision livestock company, Vytelle, announces Kansas City as their global headquarters.

Genetic improvement can be complicated. Here’s a look at the basics.

While dairy producers are rapidly embracing the concept of using beef semen to freshen their cows, the resulting crossbred calves are proving both a valuable opportunity and a challenge for the U.S. beef industry.

The iGENDEC product was developed with the financial support of a USDA NIFA grant with the aim of helping enterprises make genetic selection decisions that are specific to their unique circumstances.

The general manager of Southern Cattle Company describes how the ranch uses genetic selection to breed heat tolerant animals with survivability and stayability in a harsh climate.

Vytelle announces the opening of a laboratory in New Zealand, part of a five-year plan to double the laboratory capacity to produce bovine embryos through in vitro fertilization.

Sudden deaths late in the feeding phase are both frustrating and expensive. Simplot Land & Livestock says its research suggests genetic selection can greatly reduce the incidence of bovine congestive heart failure.

Hereford breeders and commercial users of Hereford genetics enrolled a record number of steers in the 2022 Hereford Feedout Program to find out how their genetics perform in the feedlot and on the rail.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Dr. R.L. “Bob” Hough, Lone Tree, Colorado, the BIF Pioneer Award June 3 during the group’s annual research symposium in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Genetic merit should matter more, while hide color should matter less, according to a recent survey conducted by the Red Angus Association of America.

Estrus synchronization can be an important management tool to get cows settled as early in the breeding season as possible and get cows bred to bulls with highest possible genetic value.

Dr. Kari White, Neogen genetic evaluation specialist, explains the importance of understanding the benefits and consequences of selection indexes.

Feed is a major cost input for all segments of beef production. Feed efficiency is always a primary determinant of profitability, but when feed costs are high, it becomes even more important.

By adding one more pig to a litter, the U.S. pork industry could increase production by an estimated $120 million annually. To do that, Karl Kerns says we need to learn what influences the capacity of sperm to fertilize.

Dr. Bob Weaber shares how the beef on dairy phenomena is a disrupter in the usual dairy and beef business and discussed research findings from a beef on dairy carcass trait collaborative project.

Vytelle is progressing on a five-year plan to provide accessible hormone-free bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) to producers. Three new laboratories will soon be operational and accessible to cattle producers.

Understanding and valuing genetic data can present a daunting task to seedstock and commercial producers. Panelists were asked to describe how they use genetic data to navigate breeding decisions and market cattle.

Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Professor at the University of California, Davis, gave a presentation, “Gene Editing Today and in the Future” during the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium June 24 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The International Brangus Breeders Association announces the launch of the Brangus® Vigor Feeder Calf Program, a Process Verified Program (PVP).

In order for gene editing in agricultural animals to “unleash enormous gains in productivity,” a remodeling of the federal landscape is imperative, experts conclude.

Vytelle announces the release of the Top 150 Proven Bulls, a list compiled using data collected by Vytelle SENSE systems and Vytelle INSIGHT analytics services, formerly known as GrowSafe Systems.

Breeding season is just around the corner and it’s time to consider your investment in genetics to maximize the profit potential of the calves that will be born next year.

Genetic sequencing allows for the identification of the specific DNA footprint of a disease, which will allow for improved disease surveillance when illness is detected in a herd.

The Red Angus Association of America released an updated suite of bio-economic selection indexes, including the Profitability and Sustainability index, abbreviated ProS, that covers economically relevant traits.

Neogen announces the launch of Igenity® Feeder, a DNA tool designed to assist cattle producers in the stocker and backgrounder phase to manage feeder cattle according to their genetic potential for carcass traits.

New genomic test offers Genomic Expected Progeny Differences (GEPDs) on crossbred animals.

Cupid Shuffle became the first Hereford chosen as Grand Champion steer at the Fort Worth Stock Show since 1982, bringing back memories of Conoco, the first crossbred picked as champion in a major show 51 years ago.

Farmers swipe right on Tudder mobile app to find matches for cows.

Gene editing technology offers potential for dramatically accelerating genetic improvement in livestock, including introduction of novel traits such as resistance to specific diseases in cattle.

The internet has fallen in love with Lil’ Bill, a 7.9-lb. premature calf under the care of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU-CVM).

The internet has fallen in love with Lil’ Bill, a 7.9-lb. premature calf under the care of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU-CVM).