Maxxing out Beef

Selecting the right genetics is important for beef farmers aiming to improve their herds' productivity and sustainability. Drawing insights from research articles such as "Text Mining and Topic Analysis of Beef Cattle Welfare Research Published in English From 1990 to 2019" on Frontiers in Veterinary Science and educational resources like the University of Minnesota Extension, farmers can access valuable information and tools to enhance their breeding programs. Various tools aid in this process, such as genetic indexes, which evaluate multiple traits to identify animals excelling in desired areas. Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and breed-specific indexes are commonly used tools, helping farmers make informed decisions about breeding stock selection.

Sire selection emerges as a primary driver of genetic progress due to its significant impact on herd improvement. While cow families and pedigrees hold importance, sire selection contributes significantly to advancing genetic traits. By focusing on superior sires, farmers can expedite genetic advancements within their herds, leading to more efficient and profitable operations. Furthermore, breed choice and crossbreeding strategies play vital roles in shaping herd genetics. Farmers must consider various factors, including production needs, market demands, and environmental conditions, when choosing breeds. Crossbreeding offers benefits like increased fertility and longevity, with resulting hybrids often exhibiting superior traits. By aligning genetic goals with farm requirements and market trends, farmers can optimize their operations for long-term success and sustainability.

https://extension.umn.edu/beef-cow-calf/beef-cattle-genetics#use-genetic-indexes-2179710

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.588749/full

Bovine Study Shows the Important Role of Genetics

This article summarizes a study led by Yana Safonova in which black angus cows were studied as well as their responses to the Bovine Respiratory Disease vaccine. BRD is the leading cause of natural death for cows, and the medicine is extremely expensive, causing the cattle industry to spend about $900 million dollars a year. Vaccination of the cows would help decrease these expenses greatly. The question that the researchers wanted to answer was why are certain black angus cows reacting differently to the same vaccine. Using a computational tool, the research team analyzed sequenced data from the antibodies black angus cows produced as a result of the vaccine.

The researched found that there unique structure of the antibodies produced by the vaccine, and the how efficient the vaccine was is determined prior to an immune response. Because the team’s method can reveal these genetic markers. This way, cattle producers can use this information to selectively breed cows that are less susceptible to this disease based on their genetic information. This is the largest immunogenetics study across any species to date. Research projects similar to this will allow scientists to find certain patterns in the human genome that can determine a person's reaction to a vaccine prior to receiving it. 

This finding was extremely fascinating, and after reading it, I immediately began to think about how the methods used during this study could impact human beings that are genetically predisposed to certain diseases. With the new strains of COVID 19 and the increased need for vaccines, this type of study would work for a plethora of subjects. The vaccination process can be properly examined across different genomes. More information pertaining to this study can be found here.

Safer Pastures, Happy Cows!

    Scientists have found a way to produce dairy cows that do not grow horns. Farmers have to routinely cut the horns of their cows because when they fight, they fight with their horns. Keeping the horns long runs the risk of the cows injuring each other. Researchers have found a way, through genetic modification, to insert an allele associated with the trait of lacking horns. The allele is called POLLED, and it is much more common in beef cattle than dairy cattle. Genetic modification was used instead of selective breeding because obtaining this trait through selective breeding could take decades, and the process of genetically modifying alleles is much shorter. 

    This discovery is not only important to farmers, but the cows as well. The dehorning process can be painful, and takes time for the farmers to complete. If the cows are born without horns in the first place, they will not have to endure the painful process of dehorning. These cows, though, are not approved by the FDA to be used for meat or for their milk, due to the negativity surrounding GMOs. The hope is that the FDA will approve these cows to be used for their food products so more farmers can utilize this discovery on their own farms.