This information provides additional data points that can be applied to an animal’s EPDs, vastly increasing the accuracy of those calculations earlier in an animal’s life.
 
EPDs predict an animal’s genetic merit, which can be passed on to its offspring, including both good and bad versions of genetic traits such as birth weight, marbling and weaning weight.
 
When producers are determining which animals will benefit the most from an investment in the new test, according to the association, they should consider testing lower accuracy animals, as they will have the most significant gains in accuracy.

In the same manner, testing replacement heifers can provide EPD accuracy and information equivalent to a female’s lifetime progeny data.
 
Red Angus stakeholders who choose to utilize the test must submit an animal’s DNA sample to the RAAA National Office. Accepted DNA samples include blood, hair, semen or tissue.

The group’s relationship with GeneSeek, a leading commercial agricultural genetics service laboratory in the United States, provides stakeholders with the genotyping. Once data is provided back to the RAAA and incorporated into the tested animal’s EPDs, stakeholders are provided EPD reports detailing the impact of the genomic data.
 
For more information on the test, contact RAAA Breed Improvement Director Larry Keenan by email or at (940) 387-3502.  

—From Red Angus Association of America news release

PHOTO
Photo courtesy of Red Angus Association of America.