Genetic improvement of adaptation and reproduction to enhance sustainability of cow-calf production in the Southern United States

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF ADAPTATION AND REPRODUCTION TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABILITY OF COW-CALF PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES

Sponsoring Institution

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Project Status

COMPLETE

Funding Source

HATCH

Reporting Frequency

Annual

Accession No.

1013205

Grant No.

(N/A)

Cumulative Award Amt.

(N/A)

Proposal No.

(N/A)

Multistate No.

S-1064

Project Start Date

Aug 23, 2017

Project End Date

Sep 30, 2019

Grant Year

(N/A)

Program Code

[(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
750 AGRONOMY RD STE 2701
COLLEGE STATION,TX 77843-0001

Performing Department
Animal Science

Non Technical Summary
Because of the white(unpigmented) skin on the face of Hereford and Hereford crossbred cattle, they are more prone to cancer of the eyelid and/or eyeball ("cancer eye") than cattle of other breeds. Production losses due to cancer eye are a major concern in the beef cattle industry. However, there is considerable variation of the amount of pigmentation of the eyelids in Herefords, ranging from totally unpigmented eyelidsto various degrees of pigmentation, to total pigmentation of the eyelids, in some cases with pigmented hair accompanying the pigmented skin of the eyelid.This effect of eye pigmentation on susceptibility to cancer eye has been studied in the past, but, with current technology, updated characterization of eye pigmentation in Hereford straightbreds and crossbreds, would facilitate the possible identification of genes (or genomic regions) associated with eye pigmentation and/or cancer eye.Brahman cattle are well adapted to tropical and subtropical conditions and are widely used for crossbreeding in the southern United States. In addition to improvedheat and parasite tolerance, Brahman crossbred exhibit high levels of hybrid vigor when crossed with the British and Continental European breeds. However, associated with their heat tolerance, they lack the cold tolerance of theBritish and Continental European breeds. The lack of cold tolerance is mostly a problem in new-born calves. When the temperature is below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a serious problem with purebred Brahman calves failing to nurse their dams without assistance, especially if there is any precipitation associated with the cool (or cold) weather.There is also considerable variation in the conformation of the udder and teats in Brahman cattle. Poor udder quality, defined by large teats and/orpendulous udder suspension can cause difficulties with calves ability to nurse, even in warm weather.Poor udder quality isa major problem under cold conditions.Udder quality declines with age and, therefore, as cows get older, progressively more of their cales have difficulty nursing without assistance.As with eye pigmentation, updated characterization of udder characteristics would facilitate the possible identification of genes (or genomic regions) associated with udder problems.

Animal Health Component

90%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

10%

Applied

90%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
303	3310	1081	100%

Knowledge Area
303 - Genetic Improvement of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding;

Keywords

udder characteristics

nursing ability

Project Methods
To assess the variation in the proportionof eyelid andcorneoscleral pigmentation in Hereford, Bos taurus,and Bos indicus crossbreds, and the occurrence of lesions associatedwith the presence or absence of pigmentation in thos areas, photographs and digital quantification software will be used to determine proportion of eyelid with pigmentation. Each animal will have one photo to identify the animal (primarily have used tag or brand), one of full face straight on to clarify markings, one of eye straight across on left side, one of eye aiming up (to characterize the eyelid under the upper eyelashes) on the left side, one of eye straight across on right side, and one of eye aiming up on the right side.The Brahman cows used in the study are located at the McGregor Research Center near McGregor, TX. Calving and weaning dates will be recorded and those cows that calve and wean will be assigned values of 0 and 1 indicative of failure and success, respectively. Calving dates and/or palpation records will be used to assign success and failure values for conception relative to first AI service in cows that are artificially bred. These reproductive rates will be analyzed as binomially-distributed variables using appropriate methodology and software.Analyses will also be conducted to assess effects on reproductive rate associated with cow age-parity combinations for the initial 4 parities of a cow's reproductive life.Teat size scores and udder scores of 1 to 9 will be assigned according to BIF (2010) guidlines at (1) birth when the calves are weighed and tagged, (2) at 3-4 months post calving, and (3) at one week after weaning. Observations at birth will, of course, be on different days according to calving. The other observations will be done, to the extent possible, on the same day and by the same person.

Progress 08/23/17 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Research workers, students, and Beef cattle producers in the southern United States. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students have been trained and,gained experience in the analysis and publication of beef cattle breeding research. Information gained from the study has provided material for teaching animal breeding and beef cattle graduate and undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Journal articles have been published, presentations have been made at scientific meetings andbeef cattle shortcourses, and articles have been published in shortcouse proceedings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research has been conducted, the data hasbeen analyzed, and the results have been published regarding beef cattle breeding reseach in central and east Texas.

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Coleman, S.W., C.C. Chase, Jr., W.A. Phillips, and D.G. Riley. 2018. Feed efficiency of tropically adapted cattle when fed in winter or spring in a temperate location. J. Anim. Sci. 96:24382452. doi
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Muntean*, C.T., A.D. Herring, D.G. Riley, C.A. Gill, J.E. Sawyer, and J.O. Sanders. 2018. Evaluation of F1 cows sired by Brahman, Boran, and Tuli bulls for reproductive, maternal, and cow longevity traits. J. Anim. Sci. 96:25452552. doi:10.1093/jas/sky169.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Littlejohn*, B.P., D.G. Riley, T.H. Welsh, Jr., R.D. Randel, S.T. Willard, and R.C. Vann. 2018. Use of random regression to estimate genetic parameters of temperament across an age continuum in a crossbred cattle population. J. Anim. Sci. 96:26072621. doi: 10.1093/jas/sky180.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Littlejohn, B.P., D.M. Price, D.A. Neuendorff, J.A. Carroll, R.C. Vann, P.K. Riggs, D.G. Riley, C.R. Long, T.H. Welsh, Jr., and R.D. Randel. 2018. Prenatal stress alters genome-wide DNA methylation in suckling Brahman bull calves. J. Anim. Sci. 96:50755099. doi: 10.1093/jas/sky350.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes beef cattle producers, extension agents and specialists, and research workers, professors, and students in animal science, animal breeding and genetics, beef cattle production, quantitative genetics, and genomics. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student is involved with this study. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Four publications as cited. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to collect and analyze data and report the results.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1. Added apprximately 200 new images (Bos indicus crosses) at McGregor and Menard, TX, and about 200 new images (Bos taurus crosses), from a private breeder in KS for eye and facial pigmentation. Total images collected for Genome Wide Association Studies is now about 1500 Bos indicus crosses, about 1100 Bos taurus crosses, and about 500 Herefords. About 600 repeated images in TX and KS herds have now been collected. 2. Teat size scores and udder support scores (1 to 9 per BIF (2010) guidelines) have been collected at birth when calves are weighed and tagged, at mid lactation, and about one week post weaning for three years at four TX research locations for whiteface cows, and for two years at two years for Brahman cows at two different locations. 3. One year of udder pigmentation data has been collected at Menard for the study of udder pigmentation inheritance. 4. Monthly hair shedding scores were collected on about 60 Angus cows. 5. Scoring was initiated for quantity of hair on Bos indicus cross cows because most do not strongly exhibit a hair growth/shedding pattern like is seen in Angus cattle. 6. Records from McGregor for approximately 60 Brahman cows from McGregor and 200 Brahman cows from Overton have been collected for the investigation of early cow-life performance (first four parities).

Publications

Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Tolleson, M.W., C.A. Gill, A.D. Herring, P.K. Riggs, J.E. Sawyer, J.O. Sanders, and D.G. Riley. 2017. Association of udder traits with single nucleotide polymorphisms in crossbred Bos indicus-Bos taurus cows. J. Anim. Sci. 95:23992407. doi:10.2527/jas.2017.1385
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Chase, C.C. Jr., R.D. Randel, D.G. Riley, S.W. Coleman, and W.A. Phillips. 2017. Evaluation of tropically adapted straightbred and crossbred beef cattle: Cortisol concentration and measures of temperament at weaning and transport. J. Anim. Sci. 95:52535262. doi:10.2527/jas2017.1924.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Engle, B. N., A. D. Herring, J. E. Sawyer, D. G. Riley, J. O. Sanders, and C. A. Gill. 2018. Genome-wide association study for stayability measures in Nellore-Angus crossbred cows. J. Anim. Sci. 96:12051214 doi: 10.1093/jas/sky067.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Vann, R.C., B.P. Littlejohn, D.G. Riley, T.H. Welsh, Jr., R.D. Randel, and S.T. Willard. 2017. The influence of cow temperament on temperament and performance of offspring. J. Anim. Sci. 95(Suppl. 4):242(Abstr.) doi:10.2527/asasann.2017.496. NIFA support not acknowledged.v

Progress 08/23/17 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this project includes beef cattle producers, extension agents and specialists, and research workers, professors, and students in animal science, animal breeding and genetics, beef cattle production, quantitative genetics, and genomics. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Reported at regional and national scientific meetings and at Texas A&M Beef Cattle Shortcourse. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to estimate genetic variation associated with animal health using classical animal breeding and genomic techniques to facilitate sustainable beef cattle production systems. Continue meta-analyses of economically important traits of cow productivity and fertility to assess breed and production system combinations.Documentation of genetic components pertaining to heat tolerance adaptive traits in sustainable beef cattle production systems.Investigation of early cow-life performance (first four parities) affecting lifetime production in Brahman and Brahman × Angus cows.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Hereford cattle had less eye and scleral pigmentation than Hereford-Bos taurus or Hereford-Bos indicus crosses. Hereford had higher lesion occurrence than crosses. Scleral lesions were the most frequently observed in all breed types. Udder Support Score and Teat Score (as defined by Beef Improvement Federation Guidelines) were strongly positively correlated at calving, mid-lactation and post-weaning. Age of cow only appeared to be influential for Angus cow coat scores in transition seasons (spring and fall).

Publications

Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Mantilla Rojas, C., P.K. Riggs, C.A. Gill, A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, J.E. Sawyer, and D.G. Riley. 2016. Genome wide association of beef flavor and tenderness (with electrical stimulation and without) from carcasses of Nellore-Bos taurus steers. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):2(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bohac, J.K., J.O. Sanders, A.D. Herring, D.G. Riley, and J.E. Sawyer. 2016. Longevity of Brahman, Angus, F1 and F2 Brahman Angus cows. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):2(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sarlo, K.M., D.G. Riley, J.E. Sawyer, C.A. Gill, J.O. Sanders, and A.D. Herring. 2016. Age related weights of second and third generation Nellore-Angus half-blood steers. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):3(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Bauer, L.W., J.O. Sanders, D.G. Riley, A.D. Herring, and J.E. Sawyer. 2016. Effects of breed type and sex on calf birth weight in reciprocal F2 Angus and Nellore crosses. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):4(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Delgadillo, J.S., D.G. Riley, C.A. Gill, J.O. Sanders, J.E. Sawyer, and A.D. Herring. 2016. Hot carcass weight and longissimus muscle area in F2 and F3 Nellore-Angus steers. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):4(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Holland, P.W., C.A. Gill, A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and D.G. Riley. 2016. Identification of regions of the bovine genome associated with gray coat color in a Nellore-Angus cross population. J. Anim. Sci. 94(Suppl. 1):5(Abstr.).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Herring, A.D., K.A. Sarlo, R. Gooder, J. Delgadillo, D.G. Riley, J.O. Sanders, J.E. Sawyer, J.F. Ridpath, and C.A. Gill. 2016. Influences of calf background information on health responses and carcass traits. Proc. 62nd Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course. Pages F-34 to F-41.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Engle, B.N., C.A. Gill, J.O. Sanders, D.G. Riley, J.E. Sawyer, and A.D. Herring. 2016. Influence of first calving date on stayability in Bos indicus crossbred cows. J. Anim. Sci. 99(E-Suppl. 1):182(Abstr.).