Seedstock Producers Research Articles

39 Effectiveness of an educational program covering on-farm finishing of beef cattle for direct-to-consumer in Kentucky

Abstract An educational program was developed to educate beef producers interested in marketing beef directly to the consumer. The program consisted of online webinars and two in-person sessions that were held in 6 locations throughout the state. Online webinar topics included marketing, working with the processor, food safety, forage management, confinement facilities, and environmental stewardship. In-person topics included growth and development and nutrition. The program participants were asked to complete a post-program survey at the end of the in-person session. Twenty-five survey responses were collected from the 95 in-person participants. Of the respondents, 44% indicated they were currently finishing cattle on-farm for direct markets, and the remaining participants included commercial cow-calf producers (44%), backgrounder-stocker producers (8%), and seedstock producers (4%). Participants were asked to indicate the overall level of information gained from the in-person sessions using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not very informative; 5 = very informative), with an average response of 4.0. When asked to rate whether participating in the in-person sessions was an effective use of time using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = not very effective; 5 = very effective), the average response was 4.45. Participants were asked to rate their knowledge of various topics before and after each session using a 5-point Likert scale. Differences in pre- and post-knowledge levels were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test (SAS; Version 9.4; Cary, NC, USA). Participants reported increased knowledge of the length of time required to finish cattle in various production systems (P < 0.001). Participants reported an increased understanding of bunk scoring systems (P = 0.004). Participants also reported an increased knowledge related to mineral nutrition of finishing cattle (P = 0.01). When asked if participants planned to implement management changes due to this educational program 83% of respondents stated that they would implement management changes on their operations. The results from this survey suggest that participants increased their knowledge related to finishing cattle nutrition and management and that this increase in knowledge should result in on-farm changes improving the efficiency of finishing cattle for direct marketing.

390 Colorado State University Seedstock Merchandising Team: Creating Impactful Student Experience and Engagement in the Beef Industry

Abstract Hands-on learning is not a new term for animal science curriculums; in fact, it is often something that sets the major apart. The demand for experiential learning opportunities continues to be strong. Students not only want more experience with livestock, but also learning opportunities that provide impact: labs, field trips, internships, and research for example. Colorado State University is committed to providing unique student opportunities that allow students to gain new perspectives, practice applying foundational knowledge, strengthen professional networks, and grow as young leaders in the agriculture and livestock industries. The CSU Seedstock Merchandising program was founded in 1976 under the direction of Dr. Robert Taylor. Taylor’s work focused on beef cattle systems and management, and he believed that learning happens in and out of the classroom. This philosophy built a long tradition of “learning by doing”. In the spring of 1977, the first group of “Advertising and Merchandising Breeding Cattle” students advertised and sold 17 head of yearling bulls with a sale average of $1,600. In the spring of 2023, the CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team hosted the forty-sixth annual sale selling 28 head of age-advantaged Angus and Hereford bulls averaging $4,196 and 9 Hereford and Commercial Angus bred females averaging $2,639. In the years between these two events, the program expanded. Beginning in 2002, student activities extended beyond organizing and advertising a sale. It was at this time that students began exhibiting cattle at the National Western Stock Show and participating in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention and Trade Show through hosting a booth on behalf of the CSU Animal Sciences Department. In addition to these activities, students on the Seedstock Merchandising Team are required to register for a series of courses focused on seedstock cattle merchandising and management. These students work extensively with the records of the on-campus teaching herd participating in data collection and management, preparing data for submission to breed associations, making recommendations for annual breeding and selection, as well as management and marketing. Beef industry leaders and fellow seedstock producers are invited into the classroom as guest speakers. Students travel to seedstock operations and sales, study online sales and marketing, practice social media promotions, collect data for the sale catalog, set sale order, identify animals to highlight and photo, as well as host the sale and write a sale report. It is through these experiences that students are developing skills that can be used across a range of careers while also practicing animal husbandry and management knowledge gained across the animal sciences curriculum. Students active in the seedstock program have the opportunity to strengthen data analysis and management, communication, networking, and time management skills, as well as practicing community and industry engagement and industry advocacy.

90 Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Beef Bull Selection that Incorporates Classroom Instruction and a Mock Auction

Abstract An educational program was developed to assist beef producers with making informed bull purchasing decisions. There are two core pieces to this decision: targeting the bull’s genetics to the producer’s management and resources, and paying a price that maximizes the return on investment. This was a two-part educational program; the first session was classroom instruction with topics related to proper bull selection. At the conclusion of this session producers were assigned one of five management scenarios and received a sale catalogue with 60 bulls. Videos of all bulls were made available, along with all production information, including adjusted measurements, EPD and indices. The producers were tasked with returning the next week to attend the mock auction and purchase the best valued bull for their assigned scenario. At the conclusion of the auction, each scenario was discussed and the individual that purchased the best value bull in each scenario was recognized. Value was determined as the price paid for the bull compared to a price determined through an “economic selection index” equation. Beef producers (n = 322) participated in the program over 9 locations; in locations with less attendance, a reduced sale catalogue was used. Of the post-program survey respondents (n = 155), 71% were commercial beef producers, 27% were seedstock producers and 5% were Extension agents (n = 10, were cross classified). When asked how much time they spent reviewing the materials before the mock sale 8% said they made their decision at the sale, 16% spent 30 minutes or less, 58% spent 30 minutes to 2 hours and 18% spent over 2 hours preparing. When asked if the program would help with their next bull purchase, 88% said it would probably or definitely help. The conclusion was that this was a valuable educational program.

199 Beef cattle genetic technology utilization - survey of stakeholders 2018

Abstract A web-based survey was conducted to understand the utilization of digital and genetic information by beef producers to inform the development of an online beef cattle selection decision support tool allowing creation of customized selection indices. Of 1,656 respondents, responses from U.S. seedstock, commercial cow-calf, stocker and feedlot sectors in 43 states formed a subset (n = 1,065) used in this analysis. Of respondents, 89% were owners, 76% and 47% identified involvement in the commercial cow-calf sector and seedstock sector, respectively (responses were permitted for multiple sectors). Respondents averaged 55 years old with 31 years beef industry experience. Percentages with 100 or fewer females for breeding, 100–500 cows, 500–1,000 cows and more than 1,000 cows were 47, 38, 8, and 6%, respectively. Bull purchases per year were 0 (21%), 1–2 (53%), 3–5 (15%), 6–10 (5%), 11–20 (2%), and >20 (2%). Seedstock producers and industry meetings were most frequently cited as good sources of genetics information. Expected progeny differences were the most commonly reported/used source of genetic information. Nearly 70% (57%) reported keeping very or somewhat detailed animal production/performance (cost of production) records. The majority (90%) have a smart phone while only 45% use a tablet/iPad. Most producers (65%) used the internet as a source of agriculture data/information at least daily. Of all respondents, 44% spend 10 hours or more per week on the internet and 59% had greater than DSL speed. Two-thirds correctly identified the definition of a selection index with 80% indicating that selection indexes provide an efficient, consistent and objective method of ranking selection candidates. Nearly 64% would probably or definitely use an online tool to generate customized indexes. Willingness to pay annually for a tool varied with 36% only using it if free/sponsored, 17% would pay $50–99, 14% would pay $100–249, with 3% would pay $500 or more.

203 Investing in parasite resistance in sheep

Abstract Genetic parasite resistance in sheep has become an important technology in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) due to widespread anthelmintic resistant GIN. The USDA-ARS sheep flock in Booneville, AR, has been selecting for parasite resistance since 2012 through the use of estimated breeding values (EBVs) generated through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). Objective is to show value of resistance. Recently, replacement ewes (n = 69) and rams (n = 29) from the flock were offered for sale and a sale catalog with EBVs for growth, reproduction, and parasite resistance, and recent BW was available. There were 73 purchased by 13 buyers from 7 states. Of the ram lambs that sold, post-weaning fecal egg count (FEC) EBVs ranged from -29 to -100, but of the 17 ram lambs offered, only rams with values of -97 or better sold (-100 is the highest FEC EBV and values can reach > +500; the top 10% for breed are P < 0.001). For mature ewes sold, FEC EBVs ranged from 18 to -87 with higher prices offered to ewes with better FEC EBVs (P < 0.002). For all sheep, higher prices may have been offered for animals raised as multiples rather than singles (P = 0.05). Seedstock producers wishing to improve parasite resistance can benefit by using NSIP to increase resistance and sale price. The higher parasite resistance used by commercial producers will reduce the need for deworming lambs.

Price Determinants of Performance-Tested Bulls over Time

AbstractWe estimate the values of bull phenotypic traits, performance measurements, and expected progeny differences (EPDs) over time using bull sale data from an auction in Tennessee from 2006 to 2016. Moreover, we determine how a state partial-cost reimbursement program for bulls with certain EPDs affects bull sale price. Purebred seed stock producers in this region should focus on selling large, fast-growing, mature bulls that produce lighter calves for reduced calving stress. The state cost-share payment did not significantly increase bull prices in most years, meaning this payment was retained by cow-calf producers in most years.

Using Support Vector Machines classification to differentiate spectral signatures of potato plants infected with Potato Virus Y

Potato Virus Y (Potyviridae, PVY) has resulted in significant economic harm to potato (Solanum tuberosum) farmers and has disrupted seed supplies to commercial growers, especially in varieties with beneficial processing and marketing attributes but high disease susceptibility such as Russet Burbank and Russet Norkotah varieties. Commercial growers rely entirely on seed producers and certification systems to get disease-free seed as they have no recourse to mitigate seed-borne PVY after the seed is planted. Potato seed stock producers currently utilize intensive pesticide applications to suppress insect vectors and human-resource intensive activities where workers visually inspect and remove suspect infected plants during the growing season. Industry stakeholders also depend upon extensive field and tuber sampling coupled with off-season growouts and laboratory testing to ascertain infection levels within certification programs. Despite these efforts, seed producers and certification agencies are currently unable to control PVY infection in the industry’s seed pipeline, and this has a significant impact on commercial markets and regional economies. The industry also lacks a consistent, scalable, accurate, and robust detection system capable of assessing every plant within the seed potato production agro-ecosystem during the production season. Remote sensing technologies coupled with machine learning classifiers are a significant leap forward in the detection and differentiation of plant disease incidence. The continuing advancement of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned ground vehicles provide access to high spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution instrumentation with which to monitor dynamic agricultural production systems at a leaf-scale resolution. In this study, we demonstrate PVY-infected potato plants in an agricultural production field produce different spectral reflectance profiles in comparison to neighboring non-infected plants. The Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier differentiated spectral reflectance curves of PVY-infected and non-infected plants at an accuracy of 89.8% using near infrared and shortwave infrared wavelengths. The classification accuracy dropped to 46.9% using red, green, and blue wavelengths that the industry currently utilizes to detect diseased plants visually. This research shows that remote sensing and machine learning classifiers outperform current industry standards and have the potential to greatly enhance PVY detection efforts resulting in improved potato seed stock quality necessary to maximize yields.

Genetic analysis of docility score of Australian Angus and Limousin cattle

The temperament of cattle is believed to affect the profitability of the herd through impacting production costs, meat quality, reproduction, maternal behaviour and the welfare of the animals and their handlers. As part of the national beef cattle genetic evaluation in Australia by BREEDPLAN, 50 935 Angus and 50 930 Limousin calves were scored by seedstock producers for temperament using docility score. Docility score is a subjective score of the animal’s response to being restrained and isolated within a crush, at weaning, and is scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 representing the quiet and 5 the extremely nervous or anxious calves. Genetic parameters for docility score were estimated using a threshold animal model with four thresholds (five categories) from a Bayesian analysis carried out using Gibbs sampling in THRGIBBS1F90 with post-Gibbs analysis in POSTGIBBSF90. The heritability of docility score on the observed scale was 0.21 and 0.39 in Angus and Limousin, respectively. Since the release of the docility breeding value to the Australian Limousin population there has been a favourable trend within the national herd towards more docile cattle. Weak but favourable genetic correlations between docility score and the production traits indicates that docility score is largely independent of these traits and that selection to improve temperament can occur without having an adverse effect on growth, fat, muscle and reproduction.

Regional and seasonal analyses of weights in growing Angus cattle.

This study evaluated the impact of region and season on growth in Angus seed stock. To assess geographic differences, the United States was partitioned into 9 regions based on similar climate and topography related to cow-calf production. Seasonal effects were associated with the month that animals were weighed. The American Angus Association provided growth data, and records were assigned to regions based on the owner's zip code. Most Angus cattle were in the Cornbelt, Lower Plains, Rocky Mountain, Upper Plains, and Upper South regions, with proportionally fewer Angus in Texas compared with the national cow herd. Most calves were born in the spring, especially February and March. Weaning weights (WW; = 49,886) and yearling weights (YW; = 45,168) were modeled with fixed effects of age-of-dam class (WW only), weigh month, region, month-region interaction, and linear covariate of age. Random effects included contemporary group nested within month-region combination and residual. The significant month-region interaction ( < 0.0001) was expected because of the diverse production environments across the country and cyclical fluctuations in forage availability. Additionally, significant seasonal contrasts existed for several regions. Fall-born calves were heavier ( < 0.01) than spring-born calves in the hot and humid Lower South region coinciding with fall being the primary calving season. The North and Upper Plains regions had heavier, spring-born calves ( < 0.01), more than 90% spring calving, and colder climates. Interestingly, no seasonal WW or YW differences existed between spring- and fall-born calves in the upper South region despite challenging environmental conditions. Angus seed stock producers have used calving seasons to adapt to the specific environmental conditions in their regions and to optimize growth in young animals.

Factors affecting timing and intensity of calving season of beef cow-calf producers in the Midwest

Despite demonstrated market incentives to adopt controlled calving seasons, many producers still have herds that calve somewhat broadly throughout the year. We postulate this observed management behavior is related to a variety of factors. Primary data, collected through a coordinated survey effort with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, were used to quantify factors that affect producers’ decisions regarding timing and intensity of calving season. Of the survey respondents, 88% were commercial producers and 12% were seedstock producers or operated a combination seedstock–commercial operation with an overall average of 63 beef cows. Ninety-seven, 50, 33, and 26% of farms calve in the spring (March, April, May), summer (June, July, August), fall (September, October, November), and winter (December, January, February), respectively. Twenty-two percent observed a calving season exclusively in the spring. Sixty-six percent of respondents indicated calving season was dictated by weather, 34% because of labor availability, and 31% because of tradition. Least often reasons for calving season were market timing (16%), feed availability (8%), and other (4%). Producer-stated reasons for calving season explained 62% of the variation in timing and intensity of calving on an operation, whereas a model of producer demographic and operation characteristics explained 83% of the variation. These results highlight the importance of evaluating producer and operation characteristics in addition to producer input when making recommendations to enhance production efficiency and profitability. Furthermore, understanding the factors that affect calving season provides opportunities for improved extension and research programming.

A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 1. General property information, goat and pasture management

This study aimed to survey farmers’ knowledge and practices on the management of pastures, stocking rates and markets of meat goat-producing enterprises within New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. An interview-based questionnaire was conducted on properties that derived a significant proportion of their income from goats. The survey covered 31 landholders with a total land area of 567 177 ha and a reported total of 160 010 goats. A total of 55% (17/31) of producers were involved in both ‘opportunistic harvesting’ and commercial goat operations, and 45% (14/31) were specialised seedstock producers. Goats were the most important livestock enterprise on 55% (17/31) of surveyed properties. Stocking rate varied considerably (0.3–9.3 goats/ha) within and across surveyed properties and was found to be negatively associated with property size and positively associated with rainfall. Overall, 81% (25/31) of producers reported that the purpose of running goats on their properties was to target international markets. Producers also cited the importance of targeting markets as a way to increase profitability. Fifty-three percent of producers were located over 600 km from a processing plant and the high cost of freight can limit the continuity of goats supplied to abattoirs. Fencing was an important issue for goat farmers, with many producers acknowledging this could potentially add to capital costs associated with better goat management and production. Producers in the pastoral regions appear to have a low investment in pasture development and opportunistic goat harvesting appears to be an important source of income.

177 EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FERTILIZATION MEDIA ON IN VITRO BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT USING FLOW-CYTOMETRICALLY-SORTED FEMALE SPERM

High demand exists for in vitro-derived bovine embryos fertilized with female sex-sorted sperm by seedstock and commercial cattle producers. The aim of this study was to evaluate different fertilization media on in vitro fertilization performance using female sex-sorted semen. Ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse and oocytes aspirated from 2- to 6-mm follicles. Cumulus-oocyte complexes containing compact and complete cumulus cell layers were selected and matured in groups of 50 cumulus-oocyte complexes in 400 μL of M199 medium supplemented with ALA-glutamine (0.1 mM), Na pyruvate (0.2 mM), gentamicin (5 μg mL–1), epidermal growth factor (50 ng mL–1), oFSH (50 ng mL–1), bLH (3 μg mL–1), cysteamine (0.1 mM), and 10% fetal bovine serum for 22 to 24 h. Fertilization (Day 0) was carried out using female sex-sorted semen selected with a discontinuous density gradient and diluted to a final concentration of 1 × 106 sperm mL–1. Three different fertilization media, M199 (Gibco 11043–023, Grand Island, NY, USA), SOF (Tervit et al. 1972 J. Reprod. Fertil. 30, 493–497), and TALP (Parrish et al. 1988 Biol. Reprod. 38, 1171–1180), were assayed along with 3 female sex-sorted bulls. All fertilization media were supplemented with fructose (90 μg mL–1), penicillamine (3 μg mL–1), hypotaurine (11 μg mL–1), and heparin (20 μg mL–1). After 18 h, presumptive zygotes were denuded and cultured in groups of 15 to 20 in 50-μL drops of KSOM-BSA for 9 days. On Day 3, 3% fetal bovine serum was added. Low oxygen tension (5% O2) was used for the entire culture period. On Days 7 and 9 blastocysts and hatched embryos, respectively, were morphologically evaluated according to IETS standards and recorded. Results are shown in Table 1. Data was compared by chi-squared analysis. Fertilization media affected cleavage rate and subsequent embryo development, quality, and hatching ability. The SOF and TALP fertilization media produced significantly more and higher quality embryos than M199. Table 1.In vitro fertilization performance after oocyte fertilization using sex-sorted sperm

Perceptions of veterinarians in bovine practice and producers with beef cow-calf operations enrolled in the US Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program concerning economic losses associated with Johne's disease

This study compares the perceptions of producers and veterinarians on the economic impacts of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in cow-calf herds. Questionnaires were mailed to beef producers through the Designated Johne's Coordinators and to veterinarians belonging to a nationwide professional organization. Important components of losses associated with MAP infected cows were used to estimate total loss per infected cow-year using an iterative approach based on collected survey data. Veterinarians were more likely to perceive a lower calving percentage in MAP infected cows compared to producers (P=0.02). Income lost due to the presence of Johne's disease (JD) in an infected cattle herd was perceived to be higher by veterinarians (P<0.01). Compared to veterinarians without JD certification, seedstock producers were more likely to perceive genetic losses due to culling cows positive for MAP (P<0.01). There were mixed opinions regarding the magnitude of lowered weaning weight in calves from infected cows and perceived differences in risk of other diseases or conditions in infected cows. An annual loss of $235 (95% CR: $89–$457) for each infected animal was estimated based on information from the producer survey. The analogous estimate using information inputs from veterinarians was $250 ($82–$486). Mean annual loss due to JD in a 100 cow herd with a 7% true prevalence was $1644 ($625–$3250) based on information provided by producers. Similarly, mean annual loss based on information collected from veterinarians was $1747 ($575–$3375).

Factors affecting beef cattle producer perspectives on feed efficiency1

To establish the basis for implementation of a producer education program, a social assessment of the willingness and barriers to adoption of a measure of feed efficiency in beef cattle [residual feed intake (RFI)] was conducted. A 35-question mailed survey was sent to 1,888 producers acquired from the stratified random sample of the Idaho Cattle Association member list (n = 488), Red Angus Association of America member list (n = 2,208), and Red Angus Association of America bull buyer list (n = 5,325). The adjusted response rate for the survey was 49.9%. Of the survey respondents, 58.7% were commercial cow/calf producers and 41.3% were seedstock producers or operated a combination seedstock/commercial operation. Commercial operations had an average of 223 ± 17 cows and 13 ± 3 bulls, whereas seedstock herds (including combination herds) had slightly fewer cows (206 ± 24) and more bulls (23 ± 6). Both commercial and seedstock operators indicated that calving ease/birth weight was the most important trait used to evaluate genetic merit of breeding bulls. Only 3.8 and 4.8% of commercial and seedstock producers indicated that feed efficiency was the most important characteristic used for bull selection. Binary logistic regression models were used to predict willingness of seedstock producers to begin collecting data for the calculation of RFI on their bulls, or to predict willingness of commercial producers to begin selecting bulls based on RFI data. In response, 49.1% of commercial producers and 43.6% of seedstock producers indicated they were willing to adopt RFI as a measure of feed efficiency. These data indicate that feed efficiency was one of the traits that producers consider important; those who perceive feed efficiency as important tended to be actively involved in data collection on their herds, underpinning the notion that objective assessment was valued and used by some. Additional data collection in a future social assessment will continue to elaborate the proportion of producers who perceive feed efficiency as an increasingly important decision and management tool for beef production.

RABBIT PRODUCTION IN UGANDA : POTENTIAL VERSUS OPPORTUNITY

In only the past ten years, meat rabbit production in Uganda has been actively prometed by enthusiasts, via the Rabbit Craze, as a get rich quick business opportunity with unlimited potential markets, both domestic and abroad. In Kampala, the capital of Uganda, the infantile rabbit industry can generally be described as a semi­intensive, commercial production system based on high costs of investment (breeding stock, shelter, and wire hutches) and operation (pelleted feed and labor), and non-realized profitability. Further, purebred seedstock producers sell animals at exorbitant prices (25,000-70,000 USH (Uganda shillings) [exchange rate: 1,225 USH = 1 USO]), and feed companies sell pelleted feed at high prices (300-400 USH/kg or 0.24-0.33 USD/kg). This business exploitation invariably forces commercial rabbit producers to sell fryers at light market weights (~2 kg liveweight) and at high market prices in an attempt to recover business costs. In turn, sellers typically double market prices, which further inflate consumer costs at 4,000-5,000 USH/kg. Current market costs for beef and chicken are lower at about 1,700 and 2,200 USH/kg. High consumer costs llmit market demand. Notwithstanding this, rabbit meat is not traditionally consumed by Ugandans. In Kampala, only two meat markets, two restaurants, and one university sell rabbit meat (estimated volume of only 100-200 fryers/month). Customers are mostly expatriates. As expected, many commercial producers have lost money, abandonment rate has been moderate to high, and the present reputation of rabbit production is waning. Paradoxically, real opportunities exist in Uganda to foster development by assisting needy families through a grassroots level, village-based rabbit program. Rabbits can benefrt many families, nutritionally and economically, in less time than many other livestock projects and at lower investment costs, but only if a sound project plan is implemented. A proposed development project consists of a subsistence production system, whereby utilization of renewable farm resources (e.g., 5-doe unit, local feeds and building materials, and family labor) and home consumption of inexpensive rabbit meat are primarily emphasized. Concurrently, an economic incentive must co-exist to encourage rabbit productlon. Appropriate and timely rabbit training, nutrition education, and market development activities will be critical. The initial management of limited pilot projects should foster the gradual development of rabbit meat consumption in villages as a short-term goal and expansion of formal markets for rabbit meat as a long-term goal. An opportunity and a challenge exist to develop a technically sound and sustainable rabblt program in Uganda.

Industry application of marbling genetics: a brief review

Improved marbling performance has been recognised for many years as an important objective for the high value export sector of the Australian beef industry. Over the last decade there have been several developments that have provided breeders with substantially better information on which to base breeding decisions aimed at improved marbling performance. These include the application of real-time ultrasound scanning for intramuscular fat percentage (IMF%); the derivation of genetic parameters involving IMF%; the incorporation of IMF% in multi-trait genetic evaluation; and, the industry adoption of selection index technology to assist in optimal multi-trait selection including marbling performance.It is argued that a major constraint to the genetic improvement in beef palatability traits, including marbling performance, has been the inadequate communication of effective market signals and poor information flow through the beef supply chain. This situation is unlikely to change unless the industry achieves a greater degree of vertical co-ordination and improved linkage across the supply chain from the producer to the consumer. There is a need for the implementation of genuine value based marketing systems that provide an appropriate financial incentive for seedstock and commercial beef producers to adopt breeding and management strategies that emphasise the improvement of beef palatability and marbling. The application of gene marker technology will provide future opportunities, as well as additional challenges, in the quest for achieving improved marbling performance.

Warner-Bratzler shear force values and ranges of steaks from cattle of known sires (2003)

Carcass data and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) data on strip loin steaks were collected from nearly 8,500 cattle in contemporary groups of progeny from the more popular sires in 14 different beef cattle breeds in the Carcass Merit Traits project funded by Beef Checkoff dollars, the breed associations, and MMI Genomics. In addition, trained sensory panel evaluations were conducted on over 2,500 strip loin steaks from contemporary groups of progeny from five sires included in the DNA marker validation component of the project. The correlation between WBSF and tenderness scored by the trained sensory panel was -0.82, indicating that as WBSF increased, tenderness scored by the sensory panel decreased. Our results showed that a WBSF value of ≥11.0 lb generally results in a sensory score of slightly tough or tougher. In this study, 22.8% of the cattle had WBSF values ≥11.0 lb and 26.3% had sensory scores of slightly tough or tougher. The phenotypic range of WBSF means for sires within breeds ranged from 1.9 to 6.6 lb. The phenotypic range of WBSF means across breeds was 8.9 lb, whereas the range among sires across breeds was a dramatic 14.4 lb. The phenotypic range for flavor intensity scores among sires within and across breeds was much smaller than for tenderness, with juiciness scores being intermediate. The 40 widely used sires that produced progeny with steaks that were unacceptable in tenderness in this study might be expected to be sires of several thousand bulls used in commercial herds. This demonstrates that seedstock producers should aggressively utilize sires that have genetics for tender meat.

Transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration for production of embryos &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;in vitro&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Abstract. reproductive potential in genetically valuable animals (BEAL et al., 1992). Now that repeatable oocyte retrieval methods are being fine-tuned, it is likely these procedures will become routinely used to obtain oocytes for further gamete and embryo research and also by seedstock producers for in vitro embryo production from farm animals in the commercial sector. The use of transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration and IVF procedure does offer an alternative to cattle producers who have genetically valuable cows that for some reason are unable to produce viable embryos through standard embryo collection procedures. This technology can be used on oocytes harvested from older ovulating or nonovulating cows, females with physical injuries (e.g., fractured leg) and problem cows having an abnormal cervix. Good success has been reported using IVF procedures on oocytes obtained from supplemental follicles of cows with cystic ovarian disease. With IVF the potential exists for more embryos to be produced in a shorter period of time, since the procedure can be repeated on the same cow 3 to 4 times or more a month. At this station, we are harvesting oocytes from early postpartum (&lt; 40 days) beef and dairy cattle, before the female begins cyclic activity. The approach allows the opportunity to produce one or more extra calves from the cow before she is mated for a natural pregnancy. Currently, transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration is now being used to harvest valuable oocytes from minor farm animal breeds, from domestic females representing rare bloodlines, clinically infertile females and reproductively senescent cows. Research continues to find applications for this technology, including harvesting oocytes from young prepubertal heifers and early postpartum beef cows for in vitro embryo production. The use of ultrasound-guided oocyte aspiration should not be overlooked to obtain oocytes for in vitro embryo production and to aid in germplasm preservation of endangered exotic species.

Carcass merit project: development of EPDS and genetic marker validation (2001)

Carcass and Warner-Bratzler shear force data on strip loin steaks have been obtained on over 4,200 cattle from contemporary progeny groups from the most widely used sires in 15 beef cattle breed associations (16 breeds). Trained sensory panel evaluations have been conducted on over 1,500 strip loin steaks from a sample of contemporary progeny groups from sires included in the QTL (quantitative trait loci) validation component of the project. One breed association has published Warner-Bratzler shear force Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) for 57 sires of two breeds. DNA analyses and screening have been completed for 11 QTL on eight sires from several breeds. EPDs for carcass traits, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and sensory panel traits may be completed for several breeds within the year 2001. Information from this project should allow seedstock producers to improve carcass traits, tenderness, and other palatability traits through classical genetic selection or through DNA marker-assisted selection.

Management and financial considerations affecting the decision to synchronize estrus in beef females

A beef producer’s decision to use estrus synchronization (ES) in an AI breeding program is usually influenced by the potential to positively affect productivity and profitability. Pregnancy rates at synchrony clearly affect profitability and are a major factor in the decision to use ES, but many producers are unaware of the necessary conditions that ensure success. Seedstock producers who use AI to generate offspring with recognized pedigrees are more likely to use ES than commercial producers whose income depends on other production factors such as improved weaning weight, increased carcass quality, desirable maternal value in replacement heifers, and a reduced incidence of dystocia. These changes in productivity are easily accomplished through ES/AI, but there is a lack of research that clearly documents the impact of these technologies on profitability in commercial and seedstock beef herds. Research to fill this information void would help producers make more informed management and financial decisions associated with ES/AI and perhaps increase the incentive to adopt such technologies. There is also a need to increase the number of marketing methods that commercial producers can use to capture potential price premiums for valueadded calves generated from ES/AI. Future use of ES by beef producers may depend on the opportunity to receive greater reward for improved value in their calves. A more intensified effort to discover new ways for producers to receive higher financial reward for the improved productivity associated with ES/AI is needed. This should be an interdisciplinary effort involving academicians and other parties with interest in the beef industry.