Executive Vice President Ernie Dominguez (512) 567 - 7840 ernie@blackhereford.org
Registration, DNA, membership & supplies
Jennifer or Stephanie (816) 431 - 6960 service@blackhereford.org
Communications Coordinator Brianna Chavez brianna@blackhereford.org
For
regarding invoicing: Gregory LeCure GregLecure@schwartzlecure.com
Dr. Troy Rowan, University of Tennessee
As genomic testing continues to be utilized more on both commercial and seedstock operations, let’s look at what genomics can tell us about an animal’s actual genetic merit and reduce risk on your ranch.
Genomics has become one of the most
powerful tools in the cattle industry over the last decade, but the technology is often misunderstood. Genomics is a major part of nearly all seedstock genetic evaluations (i.e., EPD calculations), but is beginning to see more use in commercial settings. My goal here is to help dispel some myths and confusion around the use of genomics.
Genomic tests are not the same thing as “gene tests.”
Much of the industry’s first exposure to genomics was in the form of single-gene tests for carcass traits. These tests were designed to identify an animal’s genotype for a handful of large-effect DNA variants involvedin marbling and tenderness. These single-gene tests were generated to identify mutations believed to have an outsized effect on traits of interest. These associations were highly dependent on the population of animals being tested, and many failed to be validated by follow-up analysis.
Contemporary genomic tests are very different in design compared to these early single-gene versions. Current tests are less interested in genotyping known mutations that affect specific traits. Instead, they aim to characterize the landscape of an animal’s three billionplus DNA bases. Genomic tests take advantage of the fact that DNA is inherited in large chunks called haplotypes. As such, a single marker is sufficient to characterize the likely state of large areas of the genome. Current tests use between 30,000 and 100,000 evenly spaced markers in categorizing the entirety of the cattle genome rather than a handful of places.
Dr. Troy Rowan is an assistant professor and state Extension specialist at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Genomics Center for the Advancement of Agriculture. His research uses genomic and computational approaches to understand the biology that underlies a wide range of complex traits in beef cattle. He is particularly interested in local adaptation, heterosis, novel phenotype creation, and genomic approaches to increasing beef cattle sustainability.
In genetic evaluations, genomics increase EPD accuracy.
EPD are our best statistical guesses of an animal’s actual genetic merit. The ultimate goal of EPD calculations is to help identify which DNA, good or bad, an animal inherited from each of its parents. The random sampling of genetics that an animal receives from each parent can lead to considerable differences in genetic merit between siblings. EPD use information on relatives and progeny to understand whether an animal received good or bad samples of parental genes. As the information supporting an EPD increases (i.e., progeny records, pedigree relative progeny records), our confidence that the prediction represents the animal’s actual genetic merit also increases.
We usually choose from bulls with low or no progeny information. This is true of commercial herds purchasing young bulls and seedstock operations that use the newest generation’s genetics to drive progress. Historically, this lack of progeny information in EPD meant low accuracy in young animals. With the addition of genomics, we can directly identify which genetics an animal inherited from its parents rather than relying on progeny information to resolve these differences. The result is EPD that are more accurate for unproven animals. Depending on the trait, accuracy increases from a genomic test can be the same that ten to thirty calves would generate.
EPD with genomics are always better than EPD without genomics.
It is essential to remember that genomically enhanced GE-EPD appear and can be interpreted exactly as nongenomic EPD. A genomic test does not change the traits that receive predictions. It only increases the accuracy of the reported predictions. This helps us increase the confidence that a prediction represents the bull’s actual genetics that it can deliver to our herd. Bulls sold without genomics tests are inherently riskier than bulls with GE-EPD because their EPD and indexes are less informative about their actual genetic potential.
EPD can experience substantial change with the addition of genomics. These changes are not statistical noise, but a better representation of the random sampling of parent genetics than an animal received. This means that whether or not the genomic test increased or decreased the value for a trait, the GE-EPD is a better representation of the animal’s actual genetics than the non-enhanced EPD. An increase, decrease, or no change in the EPD itself may accompany this increase in accuracy. For every animal whose GE-EPD moves in a positive direction, we’d expect to see another shift the other way.
Using genomics without phenotype collection is counterproductive
There is a misconception that using genomics relieves us of the need to collect phenotypes. Nothing could be further from the truth! All EPD, conventional or genomically enhanced, rely on the continued collection of phenotypes in the population. Our genetic prediction models must be trained on new data from new animals, or their quality will quickly erode. Even GE-EPD receive a boost in accuracy when an animal’s actual phenotype is added to the evaluation.
Commercial genomic tests are not the same as GE-EPD.
One of the hottest topics in recent years has been the increased use of genomic tests in commercial operations. This has been driven largely by the decrease in the cost of genotyping. Commercial tests, while helpful in selecting heifers and marketing feeder calves, differ from how genomics are used to calculate GE-EPD. Notably, no pedigree or phenotypic information is used to augment these genetic predictions. While the genotype alone is sufficient to generate a reliable prediction, they are significantly less accurate than true GE-EPD from a National Cattle Evaluation. Further, the quality of these predictions relies on the tested animal’s breed(s) being adequately represented in the test’s training population.
The bull buying process is one of the most important and riskiest things a beef herd does. Genomics are a tool to help reduce some of this risk when purchasing or using young bulls. Integrating genomics allows us to use EPD with greater confidence that they represent an animal’s genetics. As tests have declined in cost, there are very few excuses for purchasing bulls without GE-EPD.
Ernie Dominguez
ernie@blackhereford.org (512) 567 - 7840
Registration, Membership, DNA & Supplies
Jennifer or Stephanie service@blackhereford.org
(816) 431 - 6960
Communications Coordinator
Brianna Chavez
brianna@blackhereford.org
For information regarding invoicing: Gregory LeCure GregLecure@schwartzlecure.com
Welcome to the American Black Hereford Fall Issue!
As the Black Hereford community celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is interesting to look back at key decisions that were made by the membership and previous boards of directors that set the stage for where we are today as a breed and as an association.
The year was 1994, when then APHA attorney John Gage set up a corporation to establish a Black Hereford registry. By this time, Hall of Fame Hereford breeder, Frank Felton, John Gage and Joe & Norma Hoagland had started breeding for a Black Hereford. The first registered Black Hereford was born on J & N Ranch in 1997. Soon thereafter, the American Black Hereford Association was designated as the third separate Hereford cattle breed by the World Animal Breeds organization, based in Rome. This entity gave the breed its designation worldwide of HB for labeling semen. Today, the World Animal Breeds organization recognizes three separate breeds: Horned Hereford (HH), Polled Hereford (HP) and Black Hereford (HB).
Another key decision worth highlighting has to do with the evolution of our EPDs. As the Association has grown, the needs of our membership and cattle on the EPD front have evolved. In January of 2023, we began our partnership with International Genetic Solutions (IGS). IGS is a collaborative effort between numerous beef breed associations from the US, Canada, and Australia, resulting in the largest and only major multi-breed cattle evaluation system. IGS is the world’s largest genetic evaluation of beef cattle, with more than 20 million animals and over 350,000 genotypes.
There have been many more accomplishments over the years and none of those would have been possible without the commitment, dedication and support of our ABHA members!
We have a lot to look forward to before 2024 comes to a close. Our annual A Royal Affair event held at the American Royal in Kansas City will once again feature our ABHA National sale, annual member meeting, and National Black Hereford Junior and Open shows. The ABHA National sale has historically featured some of the very best herd sire prospects and females that our members have to offer. This is an excellent opportunity for our members to market their program to a large, national audience or to find that next impactful bull or female. The sale will also feature a tremendous set of frozen genetics. This sale is one you won’t want to miss!
ABHA member sales are all right around the corner. Events like these are a great opportunity for you to meet other ABHA members, share information on your programs and learn more about how to take advantage of all the ABHA has to offer.
The future is bright for Black Hereford cattle. The cattle business is poised to continue to see record prices for the foreseeable future and we must do our part in promoting this great breed. I believe that we must continue to advocate and educate the industry on what Black Hereford genetics have to offer. Later this fall, you will see an announcement from the Association that has to do with this important topic. It will be a very exciting announcement, and I look forward to sharing a sneak peek for those of you who can join us in Kansas City!
Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for how we can continue to make a positive impact for the breed and this industry. We are all in this together, we will continue to work together to keep the ABHA strong, and American Black Hereford proud. We truly have some of the most dedicated, selfless people in the cattle business that support Black Hereford and its members.
I hope to see you at a future event this fall. Let’s show the industry what the American Black Hereford has to offer. I look forward to seeing many of you in Kansas City!
Inputting performance data into Digital Beef is free, can be updated anytime, and helps to keep accurate records. For assistance inputting data, please contact Jennifer at service@blackhereford.org or (816) 431 - 6960.
Members can order DB defect tests through the ABHA. The test can be ordered through Digital Beef and will cost $24.
Fall Sale Season is approaching and extended test times are expected. Please be aware that the Neogen lab turnaround time is approximately 3-4 weeks after the sample is received by their office on defect testing. Turnaround times are longer for multiple tests on one sample. It is recommended to start ordering the testing you need as soon as possible. For assistance with ordering, please contact Jennifer at service@blackhereford.org or (816) 431-6960.
Looking for cattle to purchase or consign? Do not forget to check out our consignment sale list located at the top of the Digital Beef Cattle search screen Active breeders may use this tool at any time to consign or post cattle for sale as long as you have a login for Digital Beef.
All registrations and testing fees are billed through Digital Beef and should be paid on that platform. All other invoices for advertising, sponsorship, etc. should be paid using the invoice sent by email or by check mailed to ABHA, P.O. Box 936 Elgin, TX 78621.
Please make sure to update any change of address, phone numbers or e-mails with the ABHA by emailing us at service@blackhereford. org, or by logging into your online account in Digital Beef.
Any animal that has genomically enhanced EPDs will receive the ABHA GE-EPD logo on their profile in Digital Beef. As a reminder, it could take up to 2 weeks after the test results are banked in Digital Beef for the enhanced EPDs to be reflected and to see the logo on the animal’s profile.
Do you have an upcoming sale or event that needs to be listed on the ABHA event calendar? Send this info to ernie@blackhereford.org and we will add it to our upcoming events listing as well as on the ABHA website. This is a free service to our members.
Rod Garman
ABHA Board President
Vice President
Matt Marsh (912) 425 - 0365
Treasurer
Don Hardin (515) 313 - 8982
Secretary
Jacob Moreno (417) 763 - 4233
Mike Hamilton (618) 410 - 4293
Todd Hampton (423) 302 - 8054
Mark Ipsen (208) 681 - 4794
Chad Jones (913) 731 - 3428
Jeremiah Malone (931) 302 - 6805
Here we are at the tail end of the summer’s heat, and it is finally cooling off. I am sure many of you are ready for some relief from the heat. Fall is one of the best times of the year as the heat leaves, cooler days come, and the leaves begin to turn. It’s also getting closer to weaning time for your calf crop.
We are in the process of partnering with a company to help us tell the story of the ABHA. This will include how we got started, the history, where we are today and how to get involved. We are very excited about this. This company reaches over a million people, and we hope this tells the commercial bull buyer that we are here and the advantages of the Black Hereford. Secondly, this will show the Angus and Hereford seed stock producer how easy it is to get into the breed. Finally, and most importantly, this will help our members sell their cattle.
I want to encourage everyone to use good bulls and good cows to produce good animals. When a new commercial cattle buyer calls and wants to come look at a bull, you want them to like what they see and leave with one. Your success is every member’s success and is the ABHA’s success. I say this a lot but spend a little extra and it will pay dividends later. We have the best of both worlds. Take advantage of it.
I hope to see everyone in Kansas City this year at our National meeting, sale and show. The cattle are getting better every year. If you haven’t ever been before, come join us. If you haven’t been in a while come see just how much better the cattle have gotten.
Remember we have our national board election coming up. We have 4 candidates running, so please vote. The online election platform we have used in the past, Election Buddy, will be used again this year. You will receive an email from them when the voting opens. If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out to Ernie.
Things are really looking up for the ABHA. Lots of new things are coming, so keep making good cattle and let’s make the ABHA great.
God bless see you in KC!
American International Livestock Exposition
Louisville, KY
November 20,2024
Junior & Open Show
Freedom Hall
Entries due October 8th
American Royal Wagstaff Sale Center
Kansas City, MO
OCTOBER 12, 2024
Annual Member Meeting & Dinner
American Royal Wagstaff Sale Center
Kansas City, MO
OCTOBER 13, 2024
Black Hereford National Junior & Open Show
Kansas City, MO
Late Entries due October 15th Cattlemen’s Congress
Oklahoma City, OK
January 7, 2025
Junior & Open Show
Jim Norick Arena
Late Entries due December 5th Entries open November 1st
Entries due November 20th
Best Practices to Receive the Most Accurate Genetic Predictions
1 Clearly define breeding objectives
With the ability to increase the rate of genetic change comes the possibility to make mistakes at a faster pace. Breeding goals need to be clearly identified to ensure that selection at the nucleus level matches the profit-oriented needs of the commercial industry.
Use whole herd reporting
Inventory-based reporting captures more complete phenotypes on reproduction and longevity traits, and thus creates more accurate genetic selection tools.
Properly define contemporary groups
It is important for the precision of the genetic evaluation to group animals treated uniformly. Proper reporting of contemporary groups reduces bias in EPD.
Properly define contemporary groups
Phenotypes are the fuel that drives the genetic evaluation. Take pride in collecting accurate data. Report records on the complete contemporary group in order to paint the most accurate picture of the genetics in these cattle. If possible, collect additional phenotypes like mature cow weight, cow body condition score, udder scores, feed intake, and carcass data.
Make both thorough and accurate phenotypic data collection for economically relevant traits a high priotity
The quantity and quality of fertility traits need to dramatically improve. Providing disposal codes to identify why females leave the herd is vital. Commercial data resources, where the true economically relevant traits exist, are going to become more critical to capture.
Use index-based selection
As the list of published EPD continues to grow, using economic selection indices will become even more helpful to reduce the complexity of multiple trait selection. If the number of EPD increase, tools to reduce the complexity of sire selection for commercial producers must continue to develop. Breed associations and seedstock producers have the obligation to aid commercial clientele in making proitable bull selection decisions. 2 3 4 5 6
7
genomics
Genomic selection offers an opportunity to increase the rate of genetic change and break the antagonistic relationship between generation interval (the average age of the parents when the next generation is born) and the accuracy of selection (e.g., accuracy of EPD) — two components that determine the rate of genetic change. However, as with any tool, genomic information must be used correctly and to its fullest extent.
Adding a DNA test to your decision is like knowing...
- 25+ calving ease scores
- 22 birth weights
- 25+ weaning weights
- 25+ yearling weights
- Stayability/productivity records on 15 daughters
- 6 carcass weights
- 10 marbling scores
- 8 ribeye area measurements
All this from a test you can complete before you wean the calf.
1
All animals within a contemporary group should be genotyped.
If genomic data are meant to truly enable selection decisions, this information must be collected on animals before selection decisions are made. The return on investment of this technology is substantially reduced if it is used after the decision is made.
Both male and female animals should be genotyped.
The promise of genomic selection has always suggested the largest impact is for lowly heritable and/or sex limited (e.g., fertility) traits or those that are not routinely collected (e.g.,disease). This is indeed true, but it necessitates that genotyped animals have phenotypes. For sex-limited traits, this becomes a critical choke point, given that historically the vast the vast majority of genotyped cattle are males. If producers wish to have genomic-enhanced EPD for traits such as calving ease maternal and heifer pregnancy, they must begin or continue to genotype females. The ABHA has a unique program called the Genomically Enhanced Female Project to help herds collect female genotypes. See side-bar for more details.
A cow inventory reporting program, THE requires participants to provide annual reproductive and inventory status on their cow herd. THE is designed to improve quality of data submitted for the genetic evaluation, and in turn improve and develop reproductive EPD. By submitting data on the entire calf crop or contemporary group, breeders will receive more accurate predictions of their cattle.
The Genomically Enhanced Female Prjoect is designed to increase the number of female genotypes to better predict maternal traits, as maternal calving ease. Genotyping entire such herds reduces bias created when only the best cattle are genotyped. Gathering massive amounts of genotypes on entire cow herds will significantly improve the genomic predictions and rate of genetic progress. As parentage testing is included, GE Project herds will have pedigrees validated through DNA. Participating breeders benefit from having genomically enhanced EPD on the entire cow herd — equivalent to a lifetime number of calf records in several traits for an exceptionally low cost.
Genotypes can provide useful information in addition to predictions of additive genetic merit. Do not forget the value in correcting parentage errors, tracking inbreeding levels, identifying unfavorable haplotypes, estimating breed composition, and estimating retained heterozygosity. All of these can be garnered from populations that have a well-defined set of genotyping protocols.
The beef industry should be congratulated for the rapid adoption of genomic technology, but there is a lot of work to do. Of critical importance is the fact that genomic technology will continue to change and does not replace the need for phenotypes nor the fundamental understanding of traditional selection principles including EPD and accuracy.
NEW Chapter stretching from the Dakota’s down through the Great Plains, the Midwest to Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri
Chris Illg
Matt Bolte
Nathan Judy
Don Hardin
Jacob Moreno
To create a commercial cattlemen presence including Black Hereford influenced sales, feedlot studies, junior activities, regional sales, and more.
The ABHA publishes The American Black Hereford quartlerly. Advertising packages are available to fit every budget.
Publish your sale catalog on the Association’s ISSUU. We will publish the link on our Facebook page. - $
Jackie Atkins, PhD, director of science and IGS Operations
Until the development of expected progeny differences (EPD), most purchasing decisions of bulls were based on phenotypic measurements and features as an estimate to how that bull’s calves would perform. Phenotypes (P) are the combination of genetics (G) and environment (E); (P = G + E). There are components of genetics that aren’t heritable, such as the unique combination of genes that results in hybrid vigor, or inbreeding suppression. These gene combinations will influence an animal’s own phenotype, but won’t be passed down to their offspring. EPD estimates only the heritable genetic component of that animal. So why would you want to make a purchase decision just on the genetic merit?
Similarly, we are able to improve the accuracy of the estimate of his potential by using records from his progeny. However, it takes time for his calves to hit the ground, and a risk is being taken by using him for breeding when the accuracy is lower. Enter genomic testing. By identifying markers in his DNA that play major parts in his performance, we can incorporate information that is equivalent to already having ~20 calves on the ground. This provides an increase in accuracy that may alleviate some risk from breeding a bull to your cows and not getting what you want.
For an example, let’s look at this relationship between an animal’s own birth weight and the portion of that phenotype related to their genetic merit for birth weight. If you were to take two bulls whose EPD for birth weight were -1.0 and -4.0 lbs. and you breed your herd to both of these bulls, in a hypothetical situation where the calves have the same environment, the equation P = G. As a result, the second bull’s calves would on average be 3 lbs. lighter at birth, all other factors equal, which may reduce the number of problematic births caused by dystocia.
But that single birth weight you see in the catalog for that bull is influenced by his environment and his unique gene combinations, which aren’t heritable. Was he treated differently than other bulls, or weighed later or as soon as he hit the ground? EPD predictions use his own birth weight record as well as records from his half-sibs, parents, and any relevant genetic information — such as breed, birth year, comparisons to contemporaries, genomics, and pedigree — to better estimate his true potential and prevent over- or underestimation based off of just his own birth weight record.
These influences on phenotypes hold true for all heritable traits, which leaves a lot to consider when buying a bull. In order to make it simpler, we have indices such as the All Purpose Index ($API) and Terminal Index ($TI) that take into account many EPD and combine them in one value expressed in dollars of profitability predictions among bulls. These indices estimate profitability when a percentage of daughters remain in the herd as replacements and other calves are terminal ($API), or a strictly terminal system ($TI), depending on what your operation needs to meet its goals.
Jackie Atkins, PhD, director of science and IGS Operations
Q: Is paying for a genomic test or to “DNA” my cattle worth the money? What is the best way to use DNA testing technology to get the most bang for my buck?
Using a genomic test to predict an animal’s genetic merit adds accuracy to what we knew previously about that animal’s genetics without the test. Depending on the test and how you are incorporating it into other known predictions of genetic merit like breed, pedigree, and phenotypes, adding a genomic test to your predictions could be similar to a year’s calf crop of information on a bull or a lifetime of calves on a female. The number varies depending on the trait and the way you use the genomic test for predictions, but could be the equivalent of adding 10 carcass records to carcass trait predictions, over 20 weight trait records to the predictions, and 15 stayability records (do the daughters stay in production with a calf every year until they are at least six years of age) on daughters of that animal. This is a tremendous amount of data on a young animal who hasn’t had any progeny yet, but it’s not an infinite amount of data, so there is still a need for continued phenotype collection to get to high-accuracy predictions.
You should consider two aspects for your particular decision to determine if the test is worth the cost. The first aspect to consider is the individual animal. As stated previously, genomic tests might add an equivalent of roughly 10 carcass records, 15 stayability records, and over 20 weight trait records on progeny to an animal’s
genetic prediction. If you are already using high-accuracy animals, adding a test won’t make much difference. However, on a low-accuracy animal, it can have a large impact on the prediction and the prediction accuracy.
The second aspect to consider is how you will use the information. Simply testing the animal but not changing what you do as a result of that test isn’t all that helpful to you. For seedstock operations, you might transfer that benefit to your customers if you are testing a bull or replacement female for a sale when you have already selected which animals are going into your sale. There is still benefit for the potential buyers to have more accurately described genetic predictions on said animal. BUT ideally, you test all the selection candidates before you make your cut and USE the genomic test to increase the accuracy of the predictions YOU use to determine who is developed and who is culled. In that way, you get the most bang for your buck and so does your potential customer.
There are many things to consider. There are variable prices, densities, and methods of applying the genomic information, so each operation will need to decide how much it’s worth to add that level of accuracy. Speaking in generalities, would you pay $50 to know an equivalent of 10 carcass records, 15 stayability records, or 20 weight trait records on your animal? Will you change a future decision knowing this information? If the answer to these two questions is yes, then to get the most bang for your buck, use genomic testing on animals with low-accuracy genetic predictions before you make a selection decision.
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Killen, AL 35645 (256) 762 - 2685
Carson Glover 10501 CR 71 Lexington, AL 35648 (256) 762 - 2685
SINGLETON CATTLE COMPANY
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