The_Ledger_Summer_2020

American Aberdeen Association ® Facilitates Data Collection

BY KATE GIESS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

D ecision-making tools are ing in the decision-making process. Seedstock production has a rich his tory of data collection, where breed ers gain useful insight to how their animals stack up against stock within their own herd and others. Currently, industry organizations use various data points to include in a genetic evaluation for the calcula tion of expected progeny differences (EPDs). These highly sophisticated and modernized tools are similar to other critical metrics of success found in other industries. The first step for breed associations to take in the development of EPDs is a comprehensive data collection program. The American Aberdeen Association ® (AAA) is in the beginning stages of incorporating data collec tion practices into their recommenda tions to members. AAA President Craig Walker un derstands the benefits of this step forward in the industry. “It’s really important moving for ward,” Walker says. “We’re positioned to collect data so we can actually validate and justify exactly what we are as a breed.” As a breed, American Aberdeen is unique to others in the industry with many strengths that commercial cat tlemen and end-product users can uti lize and enjoy. Walker agrees, though crucial to any business, and behind any powerful tool is a large amount of data assist

the breed claims to excel in certain areas of production, it may also lack the data and facts to prove it. “So many times, we hear our breeders say they want to improve the breed,” Walker says. “They are here to improve the breed and the reality of it is that if you asked them what that meant, they couldn’t tell you.” Members should be aware that, although it is a new practice in their American Aberdeen seedstock pro duction, data collection will help posi tion them into the future. AAA mem bers should familiarize themselves with whole contemporary group data capturing, pedigree awareness and proper data techniques. “What we are trying to do as an association is get to a point where we are collecting information that will help us become relevant and known to commercial cow herds,” Walker says. Starting this process of implement ing data collection prepares the breed for future success, all the while open ing opportunities for future partner ships. Few groups understand the value of breed association data and, when pooled with other breed associations, how it uplifts all involved. Chip Kemp, International Genetic Solutions (IGS) director of commer cial and industry operations, explains how breed associations can leverage the size and scale of the collaborative database.

“The beauty of IGS is it’s a collabor ative effort,” Kemp says. “The relation ship is one where each association benefits and strengthens the others and, more important, the members and clients of those members.” The product of this collaborative effort is the most useful and reliable genetic predictions that breed as sociation members can use to move their herd forward and bring valuable awareness to their customers. “IGS’s core competency is to pro vide the most credible, useable, relat able, genetic prediction tools in the beef business – EPDs and economic selection indexes – that our commer cial clientele, regardless of their breed type usage or their relationship in the past can utilize,” Kemp explains. “One of the real strengths of IGS is the connectivity of sires used across all breed populations and composite development. This gives a small breed population who might be behind in terms of data acquisition an opportu nity to greatly accelerate the tradition al approach of ‘catching up,’” Kemp points out. Even for smaller breed groups, a commitment to data acquisition, building solid contemporary groups and in-depth pedigree awareness can lead to EPDs. Kemp describes how IGS can help expedite the process. “A commitment to data acquisition, building solid contemporary groups and in-depth pedigree awareness to day in 2020 can lead to EPDs that are just as sophisticated and credible as any in the business today in the next 5-10 years,” Kemp says. “Prior to IGS, in reality, this sort of accelerated ge netic awareness just couldn’t happen with smaller breed populations.”

Starting this process of implementing data collection prepares the breed for future success, all the while opening opportunities for future partnerships.

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