Management
The Value of Genomically-Enhanced EPDs
By Alison Jones, NALF director of DNA processing & accounting operations
Greetings from Denver! I hope that the most wonderful time of the year finds you happy, healthy, and ready to take on 2018. What an exciting time it is to be a Limousin breeder. The National Western Stock Show is just around the corner, the National Junior Limousin Show and Congress is on the horizon, followed by the International Limousin Congress, and the cattle in this breed are better than they have ever been. Spring calves will start hitting the ground in the days to come, producing the next line of potential champions, elite donor dams, and high-influence AI sires. This calf crop represents the next opportunity to produce quality Limousin genetics as the result of meticulously planned breeding decisions. With current DNA testing technology, there are more resources and tools available to breeders to make informed breeding decisions.
What are Genomically-Enhanced EPDs?
Genomically Enhanced EPDs are the result of data compiled from genomic profiles of cattle as well as pedigrees and collected performance data. The field of genomics studies the structure,
22 | DECEMBER 2017- JANUARY 2018 function and sequence of the genome of these cattle. With modern technology, this data helps put together a highly individualized profile for Limousin cattle to depict a more accurate representation of their genetic worth as parents( measured with EPDs).
How can the use of Genomically- Enhanced EPDs help my herd?
Instead of waiting until an animal is old enough to have multiple sets of progeny on the ground, DNA can be collected on bull and heifer calves at birth. After running the genomic profiles along with analyzing phenotype and pedigree, breeders can focus their efforts into developing their best bulls and heifers. Growth, maternal, and carcass traits are available in one report. This allows breeders to improve each generation as they come. In the past, growth EPDs relied on the collection of weaning and yearling weights of progeny, and carcass EPDs required slaughter weights of progeny to be generated. Genomically enhanced EPDs allow breeders to determine genetic merit at birth, as opposed to investing feed, land, and other monetary resources to select elite seedstock. It should be noted, that it is still crucially important to collect performance data on cattle. In fact, the implementation of genomic technology probably makes it even more important than before.
What genomic products does NALF offer?
NALF currently offers three types of genomic profiles through GeneSeek: GGP HD 150K, GGP LD 50K, and GGP uLD. The HD genomic profile and parent verification is required at NALF for AI sires and donor dams born after January 1, 2015, but is the preference for cattle with elite bloodlines( potential AI Sires and Donor dams, for example). This profile looks at 150,000 markers space across the entire genome. NALF offers the HD profile including parentage for $ 85. The LD genomic profile looks at 50,000 markers, and is currently the most popular profile for Limousin breeders. It is especially favored for use on sale animals and herd sires, and for most NALF animals is the test that should be used. The LD profile including parentage is offered for $ 55. Lastly, the uLD