IBBA Releases June 2017 Genetic Evaluation

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has announced the release of June 2017 Genomic-Enhanced Expected Progeny Differences (GE-EPDs). In this round of genetic evaluation, over 1.4 million animals were considered. Of those, GE-EPDs were produced for approximately 11,500 Brangus®, Red Brangus, UltraRed and UltraBlack® animals that have either high- or low-density genomic profiles in the…

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Now is the Time to Get Serious About Cow Efficiency

by Associate Professor and Extension Animal Scientist, Auburn University Lisa A. Kriese-Anderson, PhD. It has been over 30 years since the first Brangus expected progeny differences (EPD) values were published for Brangus breeders to utilize in selection decisions. Collecting actual weights and values for production and carcass traits used in EPD predictions are relatively easy.…

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Get to Know Genomic Testing

by John Genho, Livestock Genetic Services Over the past several years, genomic tests have become more available to breeders for genetic improvement. These have come in several different forms and have been used in different ways. The following is a review of these forms and methods. Initially, our collective thought was that we could find…

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A Year for Advancements

by IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS Hopefully cattle prices have found the bottom and the year ahead will bring a more stable market. It appears heifer-retention growth has come to a halt in the past two years as more females are going to the feedlot. This suggests a decline in future supply,…

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Progression for Brangus

by IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS The holiday season is in full swing, and I’m guessing you are spending a lot of time with family while eating and traveling more than most desire. It is a great time of year for both young and old alike as we celebrate the birth of…

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Decoding Expected Progeny Differences

by Caitlin Richards, The Cattleman Magazine Making buying decisions can be challenging and using expected progeny differences (EPDs) when buying herd sires may often seem to complicate the decision even more. EPDs have been around for a long time, but they are misunderstood and underutilized. Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., executive vice president of the International Brangus…

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How Will You Market Your Cattle This Fall?

by IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS The fall sale season is in full swing; therefore, implementation and utilization of all available marketing tools may add value to your Brangus genetics. These tools include development of a strong business plan and an organized marketing plan to help your program stand out from others. The…

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IBBA Releases Fall 2016 Genetic Evaluation

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…

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Birth Weight/Calving Ease – FRONTLINE Beef Producer Fall 2016

Let’s Lose Less Sleep: Birth Weight/Calving Ease, by Robert Williams, Ph.D. Pounds of healthy calves weaned, as a percentage of cows exposed, is one of the most important characteristics of a profitable beef enterprise. There are several traits which contribute to this measurement of herd profitability, including: fertility, calving ease, calf vigor, udder quality, teat…

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Contemporary Grouping 101 – FRONTLINE Beef Producer Fall 2016

Contemporary Grouping 101, by Field Service Representative Lauren Prine With the wagon comes the wheels. The ideology of the wheel stands for a practice that has already been set in motion. Here at International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA), we’re not trying to reinvent our EPD program; we want to improve our practices and data accuracy.…

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