Bowman’s Banter

Reprinted from The Register magazine. By retired IGS Geneticist, Dr. Lauren Hyde.   Expected Progeny Difference FAQ   Q  1. How do you balance EPD selection and actual phenotypes?  Expected progeny differences (EPD) have a clear advantage over less sophisticated predictors such as raw weights and contemporary group ratios. Performance data are subject to environmental…

Linked is an excellent piece that covers the highlights of the evolution of genetic evaluation in the American beef seedstock industry. It begs the question, “Where is my emphasis on making cattle ‘better’…?”Are you up to date in using selection tools that make cattle that fit the modern industry, or are you still evaluating them…

The quote below was shared with Luke by Dr. Bob Hough. Bob is the author of many great and important beef breed books. Interestingly enough, he is the co-author of the 2021 book, “Shorthorn and the American Cattle Industry” with Dr. Bert Moore. This quote, written in 1875, is a telling excerpt from an upcoming…

Dr. Bob Hough is a true industry icon and one of the great beef leaders who sees the uniqueness, and more importantly, the role of every major breed within the cattle industry. It was Bob and our good friend, Dr. Bert Moore, who recently wrote the engaging book, “Shorthorn and the American Cattle Industry.” Bob…

See link to the latest from the USDA Meat Animal Research Center. Of the breeds with a critical mass, Shorthorns rank #3 for MARB behind Angus & Red Angus. No other surprises or big shifts from previous years. There is work to be done, but Shorthorns aren’t sitting in a bad spot. But again, there…

Here is International Genetics Solutions’ lead geneticist, Dr. Randie Culbertson, discussing the basics of genetics all the way to basic genetic selection tools (EPDs & $Indexes). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsHlbFb_hEI&t=2453s

“We live in an age of accelerated scientific discovery, which leads to new technologies that must be understood by members of the production sector of the industry to assure that technology is applied appropriately. Today, producers face the challenges of learning about DNA testing and its application to their selection programs. However, one very appropriate…

Aligns with our focus on all traits, but especially MARB vs. REA…. https://beefimprovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/21_ABEPDfactsheet.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0eC8gu96lX6vrukh5qAg6onzP9aeJD1Bn9FN_zbV1y_kvV7qYKQrLE5Ow

Here is an excellent article written by Dr. Ron Bolze, a former Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the American Shorthorn Association. This article really helped shape the organized direction of BSG in the early 2000’s, post our Junior run. Shorthorns – Maternal or Terminal? by Dr. Ron Bozle Hopefully, this title has caught your attention.  I think this…

Borrowed from Western Livestock Journal, June 26, 2018: — Due to objective genetic predictions such as EPDs (expected progeny differences) and indexes, the cattle industry has made tremendous progress in production and efficiency. However, as the models that produce the predictions become more sophisticated and producers understand less of the mathematics behind them, some people…