News Update
Jan. 28, 2009

Angus Genetics Inc. Announces First Genomic-enhanced EPDs from High Density 50K Whole Genome Scan

Angus Genetics Inc.® (AGI) announces the introduction of the first genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs) derived from a High Density Whole Genome Scan with 50,000 markers (HD WGS). This milestone in genetic advancement is a direct result of the collaboration between AGI, a subsidiary of the American Angus Association®; the University of Missouri (MU); Iowa State University (ISU); and Igenity®, a division of Merial.

The high-accuracy GE-EPDs are powered by the new high-accuracy Igenity profile for Angus that includes 14 economically important traits derived from the 50,000-marker HD WGS. Today, the high-accuracy Igenity profile for Angus is the only genomic test available that provides GE-EPDs for young animals, resulting in significantly improved accuracies for Angus EPDs.

The Igenity profile for Angus is the only DNA profile used by AGI in the formulation of GE-EPDs. And the AGI/Merial partnership is the beef industry’s only source for marker-assisted EPDs.

“Individual Angus producers who are interested in making rapid genetic advancement through the use of DNA technology should use the Igenity profile for Angus,” Bill Bowman, AGI president, says. “This is the industry’s only DNA profile used by AGI and the American Angus Association in the formulation of GE-EPDs. We are excited about this development because it will continue to give Angus breeders and Igenity customers a significant advantage in the marketplace today.” 

Read more here or visit www.angus.org for more information.

2010 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Attracts Thousands

More than 5,000 cattle industry members have descended on San Antonio, Texas, for the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, which began here yesterday. The event is the largest of its kind in the cattle industry, and includes the annual meetings of NCBA, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB), American National CattleWomen (ANCW), Cattle-Fax and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF).

“This is an important time for the future of the beef industry,” Gary Voogt, NCBA president told thousands of producers attending the Opening General Session yesterday. “Our business and our way of life are under attack.

“Our committees will be addressing this and other problems this week as we work toward a unified plan to make the business profitable and sustainable again,” he told attendees. “The buck stops with you. Get after it.”

Keynote speaker at yesterday’s Opening General Session of the Convention was Chris Gardner, author of the book The Pursuit of Happyness and inspiration for the 2006 blockbuster movie of the same name starring Will Smith. The Pursuit of Happyness chronicles a compelling rags-to-riches story that found Gardner homeless and trying to raise his son 20 years ago. He landed a trainee position at Dean Witter Reynolds in 1981 and worked his way up, becoming a top earner at Bear Stearns & Co. and starting his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich LLC in Chicago.

The NCBA Trade Show also opened its doors yesterday, featuring more than 260 exhibitors who are highlighting their products and services to attendees. In addition, NCBA’s award-winning Cattlemen-to-Cattlemen television program aired two live programs on RFD-TV Tuesday and Wednesday nights to showcase the Convention and views of many of its attendees.

The 2010 Cattle Industry Convention wraps up Saturday, Jan. 30, when the annual meetings of the NCBA and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board are conducted.

— Release by NCBA.

Editors note: Angus Productions Inc. (API) is providing online coverage of the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show (www.4cattlemen.com) and the 2010 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Symposium (www.appliedreprostrategies.com). Both are taking place this week in San Antonio, Texas.

API coverage will be posted to www.angus.org immediately following the events and will be archived with supporting materials to the respective meeting coverage sites.

Angus Internship, Scholarship Applications Due Feb. 1

The American Angus Association, Angus Foundation and Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) are offering several opportunities this fall for college students hoping to further their education and gain valuable real-world experience with the world’s leading beef cattle association and branded beef program.

Available internships offer goal-oriented students an opportunity to build upon writing, editing, photography and organizational abilities while developing knowledge of agriculture and the beef industry. Deadlines, requirements and application details for the paid internships follow.

The American Angus Association Junior Activities Department is offering college sophomores, juniors or seniors the opportunity to assist with the planning and execution of junior shows and leadership events, and gain experience in association work. Applicants must be enrolled in an agriculture-related major and should be self-starters who are detail-oriented, outgoing and have the ability to work well with all types of people. Travel to the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) Conference and other shows should be expected as part of the internship.

The internship spans approximately late-May to mid-August, with specific starting and ending dates depending on applicant’s availability. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2010.

Applicants may send a cover letter, résumé and references to: Robin Ruff, Director of Junior Activities, American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.

For more information contact Ruff at 816-383-5100 or rruff@angus.org.

The American Angus Association Communications and Public Relations Department is now accepting applications from college juniors or seniors studying communications or agriculture communications. Applicants with strong writing and editing backgrounds who have completed coursework in news and feature writing, as well as editing and photography are encouraged to apply. Travel is likely.

The internship spans approximately late-May to mid-August, with specific starting and ending dates depending on applicant’s availability. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2010.

To apply, send a cover letter, résumé, references and writing samples to: Crystal Albers, Assistant Director of Communications/Web site Editor, American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506.

For more information contact Albers at 816-383-5100 or calbers@angus.org.

Costs, Benefits of Beef Quality

Producers try to manage cattle and resources based on market incentives, but that’s not simple when signals change faster than they can make adjustments.

Sometimes it helps to step back and check the flow.

Iowa State University (ISU) helped do that back in 2002 when it published, “Assessing the Cost of Beef Quality.” That study showed it generally pays, depending on the USDA Choice and Select beef price.

In feedlot profitability, marbling turned out to be a key driver, even more important than carcass weight when the Choice/Select spread was at the 1996-1999 average of $8 per hundredweight (cwt.) or higher. Moreover, that study concluded, “The current trend to rewarding higher quality-grading cattle will have the added benefit of reduced cow cost.”

Much has changed in the last decade, so what about those cost/value relationships? To find out, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) sponsored a “Revisit” 2009 white paper, with economist ISU John Lawrence again anchoring the research team. Read more.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.