IBBA Releases Winter 2016 Genetic Evaluation

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has announced the release of Winter 2016 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 8,250 Brangus®, Red Brangus, UltraRed 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 www.gobrangus.com/breed-averages-and-percentile-ranks/.

Members can find confidence in their efforts knowing these evaluations improve the predictions of offspring performance 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.

“Genomic enhanced EPDs give commercial cattlemen an added level of confidence in selecting young breeding bulls for their program,” Perkins said. “IBBA members are to be commended for using DNA technology to further benefit the cattle industry.”