Braunvieh World Summer 2024

Breeding by the Numbers

By Kelsey Pope, Contributing Writer

Across U.S. breed associations , initiatives or requirements have been implemented that generate records for each cow and her calf within a herd, regardless of registration status. At the Braunvieh Association of America (BAA), this practice is referred to as whole herd reporting or total herd reporting (THR). Historically, genetic evaluations required only records from animals that were being regis tered. However, there is a movement across the industry to use data and metrics in evaluating genetics in commer cial cattle production. Chip Kemp with the American Simmental Association and International Genetics Solutions (IGS) Commercial and Industry Operations, an industry leader in commer cial genetic evaluation. Kemp spoke at the BAA Annual Meeting in Fort Worth in January, and he emphasized the commercial aspect of associations, and the need for responsible genotyping to ensure accurate and reliable genetic information. “What’s important in your overall program success is reporting all of those actual data points to the pedigree for THR,” Kemp said. “Because the more data inputted, the smarter the genomics become as helpful commercial tools.” Genomics has been proven to improve cattle breeding, focusing on accuracy and predicting biological outcomes. However, genomics cannot replace THR. When actual, raw data is submitted on animals, it will override the ge nomic test and have a bigger impact, making the genom ics a lot more accurate. Commercial clients who report data need to continue doing so, and more support is needed to help others start reporting as well. “How do we catch up?” Kemp asked. “The beef business is moving so fast, and for whatever reason, that popula tion might be behind the eight ball. Now, we have the

tools to make it possible to have an impact. This is big data and we have to accept where we are at right now. But this is YOUR big data, that’s the difference.” The group evaluating this data is IGS, a collaborative to serve the commercial beef business with multi-breed genetic evaluation. Data has been gathered from nearly 20 progressive breed associations from around the globe for three decades, with a combined 20 million animal records. Their goal is to deliver user-friendly and science based genetic predictions to enhance beef cattle produc ers’ profitability. IGS partners have taken a revolutionary step by presenting the resulting EPD on a common base, allowing commercial producers to directly compare the genetic merit of animals regardless of breed composition. Genomics has been proven to improve cattle breeding, focusing on accuracy and predicting biological outcomes. However, genomics cannot replace THR. “The core premise is that IGS is your genetic service provider that provides your EPDs and indexes for you to push those out to your clients,” Kemp said. Kemp outlined four steps of a Genetic Action Plan to help commercial cow-calf operations get the genetic foot ing necessary for long-term, multigenerational success based on data from IGS. “You want a plan,” he said. “You need tangible steps. You demand credible actions that can benefit your beef business and your family.”

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Braunvieh World  Summer 2024