Page 8 - EX 2013 SBS Web Catalog

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DNA— The evolution
of livestock evaluation
Production agriculture has seen tremendous
technological advancements throughout history.
From the days of the single-bottom horse-drawn
plow to today’s huge four-wheel-drive tractors
that can top 500 horsepower, technology has
increased our production and efficiency like
nowhere else on Earth.
Genetics revolutionize corn production
In 1930, the average national corn yield was 30
bushels per acre; in 1970, it was 70 bushels; and
in 2009, it grew to 164.7 bushels per acre. That is
a steady increase of 1.6 bushels per acre per year
since 1930. Some elite producers realize yields
of more than 350 bushels per acre. The National
Corn Growers Association attributes this increase
primarily to improved genetics and production
technology. Over time, we have significantly
increased corn production and quality.
Progress in cattle production
In 1982, our national cow herd showed 50 million
cows producing 22 billion pounds of beef, for
an average total production of 445 pounds per
cow. Compare that with our cow herd in 2009
of 41 million beef cows, producing nearly 26
billion pounds by carcass weight, for an average
production of 632 pounds per cow. We have
increased production, safety and quality primarily
through genetics and production technology.
Some officials feel that our national average corn
yield may someday reach 300 bushels per acre.
Can a national average production per cow of
900 pounds be far behind?
An average producer
Although today we see record prices in all sectors
of the beef industry, production costs also continue
to climb — $7 corn, $300 hay, $4 diesel: It all adds
up. Throw in a drought, and each of us has had to
assess the age, quality and value of every cow in
our program. If the drought has taught us anything,
it is that every decision we make has an impact
on our bottom line. As beef producers, we must
treat every cow in the program as the highest-
valued income producing asset we own. None of
us can afford additional risk by using a bull that has
anything but the most accurate and predictable
information for every trait that will have the most
effect on our operation. Although our first priority
is always a live calf, as an industry we can no longer
afford to be “average” producers.
Most accurate, predictable information
Livestock evaluation and expected progency
difference (EPDs) have finally evolved to include
the use of DNA as the most predictable, accurate
information to assess the actual merit for quality
and production of an individual. Today these are
known as genomic-enhanced EPDs, or GE-EPDs.
Pfizer Animal Genetics has formed a partnership
with Angus Genetics, Inc.® (AGI), a wholly owned
subsidiary of the American Angus Association®
(AAA). Bill Bowman, AGI president and AAA chief
operating officer, says, “This is part of our efforts
to provide the most accurate, most rapid genetic
feedback available in the beef cattle industry.”
Angus GE-EPDs powered by High-Density 50K
(HD 50K) from Pfizer Animal Genetics have been
proven to show a significant increase in accuracy
and dependability. Depending on the trait, the
information from HD 50K may provide as much
predictive effect on an individual’s EPD as an animal
with up to 22 progeny records. (See Table 1.)