Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The output of this grant was the execution of highly successful and well-attended 2009 Beef Improvement Federation conference. Despite the sagging economy and the last-minute threat of the H1N1 Influenza A virus, the conference attracted 440 full registrants (including over 50 students) from 12 countries, 6 Canadian provinces, and 37 states. The breakdown of the participants was 57% cattle producers and seedstock producers, 11% educators, 10% students, 9% researchers, and 13% allied industry. Topics addressed included: Understanding the Estrous Cycle and Fundamentals of A.I. The Best-Kept Secret in the Commercial Cattle Business How Can We Best Use DNA Data in Selection of Cattle Prospects for Genome Wide Selection in Beef Cattle The Nature and Scope of Some Whole Genome Analyses in U.S. Beef Cattle Feedlot Marker Assisted Management Breed and Breeder Adaptation to Genome-Enhanced/Enabled Selection Information Implementation of Whole Genome Enabled Animal Selection in the Dairy Industry Proposed Strategy for Selection Against Recessive Genetic Defects through a Combination of Inbreeding and DNA Markers Real-time Ultrasound: What Does Image Quality Mean to Genetic Evaluations Developing Carcass Trait EPDs for Commercial Bulls Using On-Ranch Genetic Evaluations. DNA Marker Panel Validation Update by National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium DNA Genotyping Companies Vision for Implementation of Whole Genome Enabled Animal Selection in the Beef Industry Correlation of Docility and Exit Velocity with Economically Relevant Traits Beef Tenderness: Determination, Regulation and Prediction Impact of a Leptin SNP and Zilpaterol Hydrochloride on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Finishing Steers Beef Production in the New Era of Higher Prices and Higher Costs, Do the Old Rules Apply Fitting cows to your operation Is there a biological basis for genetic variation in feed efficiency Crossbreeding - Back to the Future Evaluating the feed efficiency and end-product quality relationship in the progeny of Red Angus sires divergent for Maintenance Energy EPD: A project overview A nationwide survey of beef producers about feed efficiency - motivating factors for the implementation of selection practices Whole Genome Selection Project Involving 2,000 Industry AI Sires Collaborative Development and Implementation of DNA Tests for Weight Traits Marketing Cattle during Challenging Economic Times: A State BCIA Perspective Utilizing DNA tools for managing genetic defects in cattle Opportunities for genetic evaluation of longevity Proposed BIF Guidelines for Performance Data and EPDs on Clones 2009 Cross-Breed EPD Adjustment Factors Estimation of the Proportion of Genetic Variation Accounted for by DNA Tests International Collaboration on Genomics of Economically Relevant Traits There will be a quiz! - wrap-up of BIF 2009 with 'clickers' for audience input The proceedings of this conference were made available to participants on flash drives, and also are posted on the BIF website http://www.beefimprovement.org/PDFs/BIF%202009%20PROCEEDINGS_5-4-09.p df. PARTICIPANTS: Graduate Student: Krista Cooprider, Animal Biology MS student Partner Organizations: California Beef Cattle Improvement Association California Cattlemen's Association Beef Improvement Federation A large number of contacts were made to successfully run this conference. The following is a list of all of the groups that were sponsors (contributed funding or support) to this conference PATRON BEEF USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service(Grant2009-55205-05062) Merial - Igenity Pfizer Animal Genetics Dept. of Animal Science, University of California, Davis PLATNIUM Beef Checkoff Program College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California, Davis Angus Productions, Inc. GOLD American AgCredit/Farm Credit West American Angus Association Canadian Beef Breeds Council Fort Dodge Animal Health Harris Ranch Beef Oak Ridge Angus Prather Ranch Red Bluff Bull & Gelding Sale SILVER ABS Global, Inc. Accelerated Genetics Allflex USA, Inc. American Gelbvieh Association American Hereford Association American Simmental Association Associacao Nacional de Criadorese Pesquisadores Bengard Ranches California Angus Association California Beef Council California Wagyu Breeders Association, Inc California/Nevada Hereford Association Cargill Meat Solutions/ MMI Genomics Certified Angus Beef Conlan Ranches California Cornerpost Publications/California Cattleman CowSense Herd Management Software CRI Genex Cooperative, Inc. Destron Fearing Donati Ranch Five Star Land & Livestock Fort Dodge Animal Health SILVER Freitas Farm and Cattle GrowSafe Systems Ltd. Hearst Ranch Beef International Brangus Breeders Association McPhee Red Angus Monsanto North American Limousin Foundation ORIgen Red Angus Association of America Select Sires Sexings Technologies Silveira Bros. Sonoma Mountain. Herefords Tehama Angus Ranch Trailhead Designs Tri-T Farms/Toledo Ranches Vintage Angus Ranch Yolo Land and Cattle Co. BRONZE California Cattlemen's Association Allied Industry Council Cal Poly, San Luis Obipso, Animal Science Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Dairy Science California Livestock Auction Markets Association Cargill Meat Solutions Fresno-Kings County Cattlemen's Association Illumina, Inc. Indiana Beef Evaluation Program Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health Siskiyou County Cattlemen's Association Sonoma-Marin Cattlemen's Association Specialty Branded Products, Inc. Tri-State Livestock Credit Corporation, Inc. Western Livestock Journal FRIEND All-West/Select Sires American Chianina Association American Shorthorn Association American Wagyu Assocation American-International Charolais Association California Charolais Association Dusty Trail Ranch Fresno State Young Cattlemen JLG Enterprises, Inc. Lacey Livestock Roger Nicholson Santa Clara Cattlemen's Association Water For Life, Inc. TARGET AUDIENCES: The goal of this conference was to bring together research scientists, seedstock producers, and cow-calf producers to discuss recent developments of importance to the improvement of beef cattle genetics. The conference attracted 440 full registrants (including over 50 students) from 12 countries, 6 Canadian provinces, and 37 states. The breakdown of the participants was 57% cattle producers and seedstock producers, 11% educators, 10% students, 9% researchers, and 13% allied industry. Efforts made to change knowledge included plenary lectures, breakout sessions and workshops, and the use of audience input devices as an example of an innovative teaching methodology to encourage audience participation. We also ran an undergraduate student internship program to increase student attendance and participation in this conference. An effort was also made to increase the participation of underrepresented and minority groups. The four graduate student fellowships supported by this grant were awarded to three female students, and one Hispanic graduate student. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
This conference grant was used to help offset the costs associated with holding the Beef Improvement Federation Conference in Sacramento, California in May 2009. The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF; http://www.beefimprovement.org) was formed over 40 years ago as a means to standardize beef cattle performance programs and methodology, and to create greater awareness, acceptance and usage of these concepts of genetic improvement. BIF represents over 40 State and National Beef Cattle Associations. The organization's three leaf clover logo represents the partnership between Industry, Extension and Research. This conference resulted in a change in knowledge of the participants attending the conference and also for people accessing the proceedings paper via the web link. The theme of the conference was California Beef Rush 2009 and the educational program took place over a two day period. In the mornings there were general sessions focusing on the bovine genome and related possibilities in cattle selection, incorporation of DNA data in the selection process, feedlot market-assisted management, feed efficiency, crossbreeding, and beef production in a high-cost economy. The topic of the first general session was "Is there gold in those Genomes" Three speakers addressed this topic; Mike Goddard from the University of Melbourne in Australia whose travel expenses were supported by the USDA conference grant, Jerry Taylor from the University of Missouri, and Dorian Garrick from Iowa State University. The topic of the second general session on Saturday May 2nd was "Panning for Efficiency". Moderated by Tom Field from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, this session included four plenary speakers; John Lawrence from Iowa State University, Harvey Freetly from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska, Gordon Carstens from Texas A&M University, and local Dave Daley from California State University, Chico. They discussed various aspects of raising cattle profitably in the current economic climate. Or more specifically, whether the current economic situation should alter the way beef cattle breeders approach genetic selection. These presentations were followed up by a talk from Chip Ramsey from the Rex Ranch in Nebraska giving a cattlemen's perspective on efficiency, and Mike Smith from Harris Ranch giving a feedlot perspective on efficiency. Scholarships were provided to four graduate students to attend the meeting, and a reduced registration price was made available to all students. In addition four student interns were made available in exchange for complimentary registration fee and hotel accommodations. Students were more appreciative of this opportunity. An evaluation survey was undertaken at the completion of the conference. Attendees rated speakers 8.31 out of a possible 10, and rated the overall conference 9 out of a possible 10 suggesting that attendees were generally satisfied with the conference. A number of the presentations addressed how changes in management would influence the rate of genetic improvement in beef cattle.
Publications
- Program of the Beef Improvement Federation 41st Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting, Van Eenennaam, A. L., 2009, (ed), Beef Improvement Federation, 80 pp. http://www.beefimprovement.org/PDFs/BIF%202009%20PROGRAM.pdf
- Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation 41st Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting, Van Eenennaam, A. L., and K. Cooprider, 2009,(ed), 182 pp. http://www.beefimprovement.org/PDFs/BIF%202009%20PROCEEDINGS_5-4-09.p df
|