A Steak in Genomics: Beef Genetics Extension

Missouri's new Neogen GeneSeek rep.

A Steak in Genomics The Genetics of Fertility: Existing and Developing Tools https://blog.steakgenomics.org//the-genetics-of-fertility- #ExtendMU #2xAg2030

Recently, there has been increased interest in adding to current national cattle evaluations with precision genetic predictions tailored to specific environmental conditions. Some efforts to develop environmentally-aware predictions have focused on the use of novel phenotypes and others on the incorporation of genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) to existing methods. Cattle shed thick winter coats at the beginning of summer in order to prepare for the oncoming stress of... warmer weather. In warm climates, cattle that shed their winter coat earlier and more completely have an advantage over later-shedding herd-mates. Previous work has shown the relationship between seasonal coat shedding and production traits. Using a novel trait (early summer hair shedding score), we develop a genetic evaluation for heat tolerance. We find that hair shedding score is moderately heritable and controlled by genomic loci involved in light sensing and metabolism. Additionally, we explore the degree to which GxE interactions across discrete ecoregions affect pre-weaning growth in American Angus cattle. We find evidence for GxE in the maternal but not direct effect of weaning weight, particularly in heat-stressed environments. Together, these efforts will help beef cattle breeders match genetics to the environmental conditions in which they are best suited. #2xAg2030 #ExtendMU See more

A Steak in Genomics Hair Shedding and Ecoregion-specic Growth: Harly Durbin's PhD Defense Seminar Harly Durbin's PhD defense seminar is now on the web. https://blog.steakgenomics.org//hair-shedding-and-ecoregio Great job Harly!

Loos Tales Special Report Nov 17, 2020 Clint Berry joins from On the Road talking about tools in the cattleman's toolbox like Neogen and Igentity.