GENOMIC TESTING ENTERS THE SHOW RING
The North American Limousin Foundation ( NALF ) is constantly looking for ways to improve the Limousin breed , and often uses the National Junior Limousin Show & Congress ( NJLSC ) as a way to move big ideas and improvements forward .
Junior national shows are a unique show each summer for cattle breeds - exhibitors have the opportunity to showcase their cattle , knowledge and professionalism while breeders flaunt their best genetics and get a close-up look at the competition from across the country . Everything about the week , from competitions to livestock shows , help improve breeds to be their very best in a one-week showcase .
For the Limousin breed , this week also represents a time filled with fun , reuniting with long-distance friends and the opportunity to better a breed known for its muscling , maternal ability , feed efficiency and profit-added value .
In 2022 , the NJLSC is being held in Amarillo , Texas at the Tri- State Fairgrounds June 25 to July 1 . The NALF and North American Junior Limousin Association ( NALJA ) boards are excited to offer a brand-new show with goals to increase education and improve the breed - the Phenotype / Genotype ( P & G ) Show .
“ We are excited to present the Phenotype / Genotype Show ,” said Mallory Blunier , NALF Director of Media and Activities . “ This will be a separate blow-and-go show at Junior Nationals this summer where the judge will look not just at the cattle phenotypically , but also at their EPDs .”
The P & G Show will have one judge who ranks the animals before the show , based solely on their expected progeny differences ( EPDs ). Then , will judge the cattle classes during the show based on phenotype , or physical appearance . Once the two shows have been judged , scores from each will be combined 50 / 50 to determine overall class rankings and champions .
“ So , even if an animal is first in class in the phenotype portion , the final placing could be completely different based on the genotype ranking ,” said Blunier . “ The final placings will be determined on that combined score from genotype and phenotype .”
The P & G Show will be a separate show to enter for this year ’ s Junior Nationals with champion banners and buckles and class winner prizes offered for the show . The difference in entering this show is that all cattle must be genomically tested to enter .
“ Animals that are not genomically tested will not be allowed to show ,” said Blunier . “ DNA could take up to 6-8 weeks to process and we recommend sending DNA in as soon as possible . While the testing normally costs over $ 57 per head , NALF is covering the cost of genomic testing for cattle entered so there is no additional cost to the exhibitor .”
A large portion of cattle shows today focus solely on the phenotype of cattle , or more specifically how the genotype of an animal makes itself known through observable , physical traits . Phenotypes can include hair color , presence or absence of horns and any general overall appearance .
The genotype of cattle are shown not by physical appearance , but through EPDs , which have helped improve the cattle industry for nearly four decades . For this show , the judge is not only looking at EPDs , but genomically-enhanced EPDs . For cattle testing , genomics identify each animal ’ s EPD accuracy utilizing marker subsets that are identified for each trait . Genomics give producers early insight to an animal ’ s quality because of the progeny equivalents generated by genomic testing .
The P & G Show judge will receive a list of classes that include entry numbers , birthdate and EPDs /$ Values ( CED , BW , WW , YW , MK , TM , CEM , SC , ST , DOC , YG , CW , REA , MB and FT ) along with percentile breakdown .
Blunier said the show will provide a great educational opportunity to the breed , as well as improve overall breed statistics by adding more genomically tested cattle to the herd book .
“ We ’ re really hitting it as an educational opportunity to get more information out to the juniors that revolve around EPDs ,” said Blunier . “ Limousin is not just bringing the heat in the show cattle industry , but we are also creating waves in the feedyards and seedstock operations and that is why we feel this is a good opportunity for juniors to learn how EPDs work .”
The NALF and NALJA boards are excited to offer the P & G Show this summer and hope that all who make the trip to Amarillo will enter in the show .
“ We encourage all who are not participating in this event to come watch and play along too ,” said Blunier . “ We will have activities for participants to test their skills and see how they rank the animals compared to the judge .”
Entries for Junior Nationals will open mid-spring and are due May 15 . Find more about the Texas Limousin Two-Step Junior National Show at https :// nalf . org / juniors / shows /.
32 • APRIL 2022