News Update
Feb. 18, 2011

Association Continues to Enhance Genetic Prediction Tools

The American Angus Association and Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) continue to enhance the suite of genetic prediction tools offered to Angus producers and customers of Angus genetics. Three notable recent enhancements include:

• Expected progeny differences (EPDs) calculated on weekly basis have been expanded to include all traits except the heifer pregnancy research prediction.
• A genomic component based on the Igenity Profile for Angus has been included in growth trait predictions, providing genomic-enhanced EPDs for those traits to complement those already calculated for carcass traits, docility and residual average daily gain (RADG).
• A genomic component based on the Pfizer HD50K for Angus has been included in the carcass and RADG EPDs, producing the first genomic-enhanced EPDs affected by DNA test results of two companies (Igenity and Pfizer).

Feb. 11, genomic-enhanced EPDs incorporating the Igenity Profile for Angus were made available online for birth, weaning and yearling weight, as well as milk. The growth EPDs now join other genomic-enhanced EPDs offered through the Association, including carcass traits, docility and RADG.

“This was the next logical step in our efforts to further incorporate genomic data into our extensive selection tools,” says Bill Bowman, AGI president and Association COO. “We continue to work toward utilizing genomic data in additional EPDs to benefit our members and their commercial customers.”

The Association and AGI took another step Feb. 18, as they released carcass and RADG EPDs incorporating Pfizer HD50K for Angus results. With the Igenity component already included, the Association’s carcass weight, marbling, ribeye, fat and RADG EPDs now benefit from both Angus-specific genomic results.

The selection tools are generated using the Association’s extensive growth database and genomic results from the Angus-specific DNA tests. For a complete, regularly updated list of available genomic-enhanced EPDs, visit www.angus.org/Nce/WeeklyEvalGenomicData.aspx.

Genomic-enhanced EPDs allow Angus breeders to make even more-accurate, more-rapid genetic improvements. These tools can provide an advantage for any seedstock operation, regardless of herd size.

Commercial customers benefit from higher-accuracy EPDs on yearling bulls, allowing them to make more-informed purchasing decisions on young herd sires.

For more information, visit www.angus.org.

Editor’s Note: This “Association Perspective” by Sally Northcutt, director of genetic research for the American Angus Association, will be featured in the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, API’s electronic supplement to the published magazine. To sign up to receive the EXTRA, visit http://www.angusbeefbulletin.com/extra/about.html. The EXTRA is scheduled to e-mail Monday, Feb. 21.

Member Positions on the Bills Ratified by KLA Board

Members reviewed more than 30 legislative proposals earlier this week during the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Legislative Meeting in Topeka. Issues discussed by members included the proposed merger of the Kansas Animal Health Department (KAHD) with the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA); amendments to the trespassing statutes; renewal of the state ethyl alcohol incentive program; changes to water laws; state income tax incentives to encourage new residents in counties with significant population declines; state immigration bills; the prospects of education funding becoming more dependent on local property taxes; and a host of state sales tax and income tax reform proposals.

The following day, the KLA Board of Directors voted to ratify two recommendations made by members during the legislative meeting. Board members reaffirmed the general membership’s preference for an independent KAHD, but voted to support Executive Reorganization Order 40 (ERO 40) if the governor and Legislature determine the merger is necessary to reduce state expenditures. ERO 40 will merge KAHD with KDA, but calls upon the Kansas Animal Health Board to nominate three individuals for the animal health commissioner position upon a vacancy. The order confirms the existing livestock commissioner will become the KDA animal health commissioner when the merger occurs. Furthermore, ERO 40 states the Kansas Animal Health Board will be responsible for reviewing animal health rules and regulations, and making recommendations, prior to being adopted.

KLA board members also voted to oppose HB 2122, a bill that would extend the Kansas ethyl alcohol producer incentive program through 2018. This program currently is scheduled to expire in 2011. The incentive program allows ethyl alcohol plants to receive up to 7.5¢ per gallon from the state if the plant has been in production less than seven years.

— Release by KLA.

Storm Disruption Strengthens Cattle Demand

The snow storms that blanketed much of the Midwest a couple of weeks ago have given way to warmth, clear roads and greater receipts at cattle auctions, allowing buyers and sellers to catch up.

“We’re probably a full week of marketing behind right now, [because] we just ran half our receipts for two straight weeks,” said Corbitt Wall, a supervisor at USDA Market News in Saint Joseph, Mo.

Weather disrupted cattle movement, but the market remained about the same through the heavy snowfall, says Wall.

“You know the snowstorm and the bad roads and everything were so widespread that the guys that are getting the cattle on other end were about as reluctant to receive cattle as the guys were to bring them in to the sales in the first place,” Wall said, in an interview with Brownfield Tuesday, following the auction he was covering at Maryville, Mo.

The recent high cattle market resulted in many cattle coming to the market well before the storm hit, according to Wall.

“This two-week delay is probably going to make our receipts now, and for the next probably three weeks to a month, more like normal,” said Wall. “I don’t think we’re going to see the lull that we probably would have seen had those cows sold early, but I just don’t think there’s that many cattle out there.”

Cattle receipts have recovered this week and there are plenty of buyers, says Wall, observing that the market for feeders has jumped as well, so he cautions sellers to not hang onto cattle too long.

— Release by the Brownfield Ag News Network.

Missouri Prop B Overhaul Attempts Under Way

The Missouri House could debate a bill as early as next week that would overturn some provisions of Proposition B, the dog-breeding bill that voters passed last November. The House Agriculture Policy Committee unanimously approved a bill earlier this week that would strip Prop B of many of its strict provisions on how dog breeders raise their animals. It would remove the 50-dog limit and rename Prop B, also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, to the Dog Breeders Cruelty Prevention Act. A Senate committee passed a similar measure last month.

A coalition of Missouri Ag groups fought last year to prevent the passage of the measure, contending its backers — which include the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) — would seek to restrict Missouri livestock operations next.

There are about a dozen bills in both the Missouri House and Senate aimed at amending Proposition B.

Supporters of Proposition B gathered at the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday for their “Humane Lobby Day” to urge lawmakers not to overturn the “citizen-supported initiative.” It passed with 51.6% of the vote.

— Release by the Brownfield Ag News Network.

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