Get Involved in the Legacy Animal Genotyping Project

During this month Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) embarked on perhaps the most important journey in the history of the Beefmaster breed, the quest to develop Genomic Enhanced EPDs (GEPDs). The first step in this process is to obtain genotypes on the breed’s most influential sires and dams. These animals that lead the breed in registrations are commonly referred to as legacy animals. Over the next few months BBU will be conducting a campaign to ensure that as many of these 600 legacy animals, as possible, are genotyped.

If you own a legacy animal, you should have received a notice from BBU that contains the sire’s registration number, name and a brief explanation of this vital project. The letter also contains a release form from BBU that authorizes the BBU approved genetic services providers to perform the necessary HD genotyping and return the results to BBU.

The cost of HD genotyping is $85.00 per sample and BBU can either bill credit cards or members can call the BBU office to make billing arrangements for the genotyping. Another important item to remember is that legacy animal genotyping requires a minimum of a 50K HD chip. If you have questions about the release form, please call Kelsey or Collin at the BBU office.

Many of these legacy animals have had DNA samples submitted in the past, however very few of those samples were viable. This means that it will be necessary to submit new DNA samples for most of these animals. BBU’s genomic service providers prefer to work with blood submitted on an FTA card that is available from the BBU office. Other forms of workable DNA samples include hair and semen. Please note that semen does not have to be frozen for DNA sampling. As long as the straw or ampule is still sealed, the sample will be satisfactory. If you have questions, please call the office or go to http://beefmasters.org/dna-testing.php where there is a helpful article on how to collect DNA samples.

There is a small group of sires that do in fact have viable DNA samples with BBU’s genomic service providers. Owners of these sires will be told which lab has the sample and the appropriate lab’s release form will be included. If you wish to have your legacy animal genotyped but want to have the work done by the other company, you must provide a new DNA sample for that animal for the lab you wish to use.

The last group of legacy animals are sires that have already been HD genotyped by the USDA Meat Animal Research Center and/or the University of Missouri. These bulls have been used in research projects and as such, already have the necessary genotypes completed. If you own a sire in this group, you will not be notified and asked to have him genotyped. BBU has made arrangement to include his genotype.

In general most of the legacy animals have a minimum of 125 registrations or progeny in the system. As you can see, these sires leave a large footprint in the breed. BBU’s goal is to have at least 400 of these legacy animals HD genotyped. These animals will become the base from which all future Beefmaster GEPDs will develop from. The genomic future of the Beefmaster breed lies in your legacy animal, please complete your genotyping today.

Simultaneous to the legacy animal project, BBU is officially allowing non-legacy animals to submit genotypes to add to the Beefmaster database. Breeders can contact BBU to receive DNA kits and the release forms to begin genotyping your Beefmaster animals. This group of genotypes will be added after the legacy animals to widen the foundation for GEPDs.

Why is genotyping so important? Because they are the first step to creating GEPDs.

What makes GEPDs better than production EPDs? Simply put, GEPDs are much more accurate than production EPDs, allowing buyers a more accurate insight into all traits. In other words, they reduce risk and add value to your genetics. Buyers are demanding GEPDs and the only way to have them is by genotyping your animals and submitting performance data to BBU.

BBU will be running a series of articles about genomics in The Beefmaster Cowman and on Beefmasters.org in the near future. Additionally, BBU staff will be conducting performance workshops that will cover all topics of performance, including genomics at every Beefmaster sale that staff are scheduled to attend this fall and spring. Come out to a sale, educate yourself about performance and invest in some great Beefmaster genetics soon.