New genetic merit test available to producers

Producers can achieve production goals faster with an investment in Red Angus' new genetic merit test — RA50K, according to the Red Angus Association of America, which has released the product. The new genomic data test, named for “Red Angus” and “50K” for the 50,000 tested locations on an animal’s genome, provides producers with higher accuracy EPDs to be used in making their seedstock selections. It identifies which genes a specific animal possesses and their impact on various traits, such as birth weight and carcass traits. This information provides additional data points that can be applied to an animal’s EPDs, vastly increasing the accuracy of those calculations earlier in an animal’s life. EPDs predict an animal’s genetic merit, which can be passed on to its offspring, including both good and bad versions of genetic traits such as birth weight, marbling and weaning weight.   When producers are determining which animals will benefit the most from an investment in the new test, according to the association, they should consider testing lower accuracy animals, as they will have the most significant gains in accuracy. In the same manner, testing replacement heifers can provide EPD accuracy and information equivalent to a female’s lifetime progeny data. Red Angus stakeholders who choose to utilize the test must submit an animal’s DNA sample to the RAAA National Office. Accepted DNA samples include blood, hair, semen or tissue. The group’s relationship with GeneSeek, a leading commercial agricultural genetics service laboratory in the United States, provides stakeholders with the genotyping. Once data is provided back to the RAAA and incorporated into the tested animal’s EPDs, stakeholders are provided EPD reports detailing the impact of the genomic data. For more information on the test, contact RAAA Breed Improvement Director Larry Keenan by email or at (940) 387-3502. http://www.progressivecattlemen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5699:new-genetic-merit-test-available-to-producers&catid=37:industry-news&Itemid=170