Agricultural News
Angus Reaches New Milestone in Genetic Improvement
Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:51:21 CDT
The American Angus Association and its subsidiary Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) are pleased to announce record numbers of Angus cattle being tested with high-density genomic trait tests. That number recently surpassed 40,000 tests, and it is only expected to grow.
"We are fortunate to see the rapid adoption of this technology by our Angus breeders to drive the genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs), thanks to research collaboration, improved genomic technology and increased test volume," says Bill Bowman, AGI president and Association chief operating officer.
Genomic technology uptake by Angus breeders provides the opportunity to better characterize the genetics of registered Angus herds, to make breed improvements for generations to come, and to offer commercial cattlemen access to the most dependable genetic selection tools available.
The expansion of the collaborative partnership between AGI and Zoetis Animal Genetics research scientists has allowed for a more streamlined approach to GE-EPD computation. Now, the high-density 50K SNP genotypes delivered by AGI partner laboratories will be characterized in-house with a Zoetis-generated algorithm for use in the Association's weekly National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) efforts.
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