News Update

October 14, 2016

Adding Meat to Carcass EPDs

By sheer nature of the cattle industry structure, some of the most important data — carcass data — are some of the most difficult pieces of information to collect. For the past 20 years, there has been a large emphasis on collecting ultrasound data to predict carcass traits. Dan Moser, president of Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and director of American Angus Association performance programs, says ultrasound is a powerful tool for breeding animals because it is highly accurate; but it is not perfect. In terms of a genetic correlation, the closer the number is to 1, the stronger the correlation. Ultrasound data correlates to carcass data at 0.70 to 0.80.

Kelli Retallick, AGI director of genetic service, explains that carcass data are more closely related to the economically relevant traits (ERTs) affecting carcass profitability, whereas ultrasound data are indicator traits to explain carcass data points. ERTs are traits that directly affect profitability by being associated with cost or the income stream. Indicator traits have a genetic correlation to ERTs and can be used in analyses to increase the accuracy of ERT expected progeny differences (EPDs).

Continue reading the Angus Journal article online.

— Adapted from a release by Kasey Brown, Angus Media.

Registration Open for 2017 Cattle Industry Convention

Registration and housing for the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is now open. The 120th annual convention will be hosted in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 1-3, 2017. Advanced registration is open until Jan. 4, 2017.

Convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, and enjoy an evening of stars and guitars at the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as an exclusive event at the famous Grand Ole Opry. NCBA President Tracy Brunner said this convention is a must for everyone involved in the cattle industry.

For more information, view the NCBA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Grants Awarded to Humane Livestock Farmers

Farmers seeking to improve the welfare of their farm animals may apply for grant funding from Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT). FACT is calling for applications for its Fund-a-Farmer Project, which provides grants up to $2,500 to qualifying livestock and poultry farmers for projects designed to improve farm animal welfare. This year the Fund-a-Farmer Project will offer two distinct types of grants: one for pasture-based farming systems and the other for farm improvements that result in successful animal welfare certification.

Pasture-based system grants are for projects that help farms transition and/or improve access to pasture-based systems. FACT is interested in providing funds to working, independent family farmers that raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, dairy cows, turkeys and/or beef cattle.

For more information, view the FACT news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Sidney Freitag-Fey, Food Animal Concerns Trust.

Sing the National Anthem at the
2017 Cattle Industry Convention

Individuals can now submit entries to have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem during the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn. on Feb. 1-3, 2017.

The 2017 Tune Up For Tennessee — NCBA National Anthem Contest, hosted by NCBA, is open to any family member of an NCBA, American National CattleWomen or Cattlemen’s Beef Board member. Contestants must be 18-years or younger to qualify, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to convention. Previous NCBA National Anthem Contest winners are not eligible.

The contest is open from Tuesday, Sept. 13 until Friday, Oct. 21. After entries close, four finalists will be selected and their video entries will be posted to www.beefusa.org for a public vote from Nov. 1-23, 2016. The public will have the opportunity to vote once per day, per person for their favorite anthem singer. The winner will be announced on Dec. 2, 2016.

For more information, view the NCBA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

BIVI Hires Technical Services Veterinarian

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI), a global leader in the animal health industry, Oct. 6, announced that Rory Fischer, DVM, joins the company as a technical services veterinarian. In his new role, Fischer’s responsibilities will focus on the BIVI cattle and equine portfolios along with some swine.

A graduate of the Iowa State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Fischer received his undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Prior to joining BIVI, Fischer spent seven years as a staff veterinarian and area supervisory veterinarian with the South Dakota Animal Industry Board within the State Veterinarian’s Office.

As a member of the veterinary technical services team, Fischer will be responsible for collection of adverse event data and product quality reports, as well as providing this information to relevant government agencies.

For more information, view the BIVI news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.