General Session IV
A Toolbox Full of Genetic Prediction Tools:
Is Profit in There, Too?
BOZEMAN, Mont. (June 3, 2011) — “There is a lot of potential with genetic selection tools — as long as we keep it simple,” said Lauren Hyde, American Simmental Association, as she discussed the opportunity for improved profitability with the use of genetic tools.
Speaking to attendees of the 43rd annual research symposium sponsored by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), Hyde mentioned that breed associations have a host of expected progeny differences (EPDs) and several indexes. “We’re getting a lot of information overload in the business. We need to get back to the basics with some things.” Hyde said that the research and data collection relative to profitability is merited, but it needs to be pared down.
“Seedstock producers need to know who their customers are before they start providing a bunch of information,” she explained. A lot of the information seedstock producers share with their customers might not be relevant to that customer, and could be muddying the waters.
“As breed associations, maybe we need to remove some of the info we are providing seedstock producers. We need to make it easier for the commercial producer to understand what we’re doing,” she said. “We should all get on the same page.”
Hyde suggested multi-breed EPDs could be of service to customers and noted that good indexes could be used to cut down on the information shared.
Hyde concluded all seedstock producers need to be incredibly familiar with EPDs. “You are actually selling EPDs. That’s your product. You have to understand them to sell them to your customer,” she said. “No question about it, you just have to.”
To listen to this presentation visit the Newsroom at www.BIFconference.com.
BIF’s 43rd Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting was hosted June 1-4 on campus at Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API). Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
API's coverage of the event is made possible through collaboration with BIF and sponsorship by BioZyme Inc. through its significant gift to the Angus Foundation. For questions about this site, or to notify us of broken links, click here.
Headquartered in Saint Joseph, Mo., API publishes the Angus Journal, the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, and the Angus e-List, as well as providing online coverage of events and topics pertinent to cattlemen through the API Virtual Library.
