Genetic Tools to Meet Demand
New genetic tools available for commercial Angus producers.
by for Angus Productions Inc.
GERING, Neb. (Nov. 28, 2011) — Despite a rough economy, the Certified Angus Beef® brand (CAB®) has continued to post record-breaking months and years, said Mark McCully of Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB). This product success is a long-term trend; international and domestic consumers are willing to pay for the product even in a questionable economy.
Mark McCully unveiled Genemax™ as a tool for commercial cattlemen to use to target carcass premiums. The Angus-specific DNA test will launch in early 2012.The reason? Because the product performs for the consumer, McCully said, attributing much of the success in meeting consumer demand to marbling, which is a highly heritable trait.
Many producers ask what they have to give up to increase marbling, referring to genetic antagonisms between traits that might negatively affect their cow herd. But McCully presented research by the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, the University of Nebraska and the American Angus Association showing negative genetic correlations between marbling and cow weight (-0.15), cow height (-0.17), body condition score (-0.03), calving rate (-0.05) and calving difficulty (-0.09). There was a strong positive correlation with weaning weight (+0.21) and milk (+0.22), indicating producers don’t have to lose much in the cow herd.
McCully also referenced a white paper titled “Relationship Between Quality Grade and Feedlot Profitability,” which reported that marbling can double profitability in the feedlot.
“The only aspect of a cattle operation that we as producers have total control over is genetics,” he quoted from Mike Kasten.
McCully emphasized the many measurements used in the livestock industry, and said that the newest is genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE EPDs). He explained that these GE EPDs give “a lot better and clearer picture of genetic potential of the animal” — and at an earlier age. GE EPDs are not separate from EPDs, they are incorporated into them.
When producers ask him what data they should use in selecting a bull, McCully said he recommends use of GE EPDs. He also suggested using CAB’s Cow-Calf Best Practices Manual, which offers genetic recommendations that compare breeds.
McCully unveiled a new tool to target carcass premiums, CAB’s Genemax™, which is set to launch in early 2012. This new tool is an Angus-specific DNA test to predict marbling and growth. Designed for commercial cattlemen using registered Angus bulls, it will aid in selection and marketing of replacement heifers and serve as a decision and marketing tool for feeder cattle at the ranch or at the feedlot.
The test kits will be ordered through Angus Genetics Inc.® (AGI) and will cost between $15-$20 per test. The samples are returned to AGI and sent to Pfizer Animal Genetics for genotyping. AGI will provide test results to the customer.
Genemax is being designed to test replacement heifer candidates for in-herd selection; as a value-added feature for selling commercial heifers; to test feeder calves for marketing decisions, carcass merit feedback, and/or value-added marketing; and as a management tool at the feedlot.
McCully noted that this tool could provide significant improvement in a short amount of time.
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