IBBA Releases Fall 2016 Genetic Evaluation

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IBBA Releases Fall 2016 Genetic Evaluation: The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has announced the release of Fall 2016 Genomic-Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GE-EPDs) with its newest national cattle genetic evaluation.

Member breeders send DNA samples to GeneSeek or Zoetis, where the DNA testing is performed. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) results are used by Livestock Genetic Services, in combination with traditional performance data, to perform the genetic evaluation on over 1.4 million animals. Of those, GE-EPDs were produced for approximately 7,800 Brangus® and UltraBlack® animals that have either high- or low-density genomic profiles in the database.

“Genomic-enhanced EPDs are a more precise EPD because they combine both performance records and genomic profiles,” said IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS. “GE-EPDs increase the accuracy of each EPD which reduces risk in selecting young breeding animals.”

Members are encouraged to look at their individual profiles on IBBA’s member portal, at int-brangus.org, to see if any animals in their herd have qualified for GE-EPDs. Animals with a GE-EPD are identified on the website with the double helix DNA logo beside the EPD. Additionally, percentile ranks are posted to provide standings for individual traits of animals. These ranks are available on IBBA’s website, at https://gobrangus.com/breed-averages-and-percentile-ranks/.

The increase in accuracy for performance traits are equivalent, on average, to adding six to eight progeny records to an animal’s birth weight evaluation. In the case of hard-to-measure traits, the increase in accuracy is comparable to adding records from ten or more daughters in production. This can dramatically shorten generational intervals, allowing IBBA members to make faster genetic progress.

The immediate benefit of adding genomics to the evaluation is the improvement in the predictions of offspring when making selection and mating decisions for the future. Increases in the number of genotyped animals continues to improve the predictive power of the genetic evaluation.

“IBBA is thrilled to offer the most current selections tools available to our members and the commercial industry,” Perkins said. “DNA testing continues to become easier to request and more affordable over time.”

Download PDF Version: IBBA Releases Fall Genetic Evaluation Results