New DNA Tools Rev Up Genetic Evaluation

“The most beneficial use of DNA information is when it is integrated with actual performance and carcass data into Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) that the industry is already using extensively,” said Michael E. Dikeman, Kansas State University meat scientist.

Based on technology transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's U.S. Meat Animal Research Center and Cornell University, Merial's IGENITY can now use a single DNA tissue sample to analyze a wide range of data on parentage, quality grade, marbling, horned and polled characteristics and even whether animals are persistently infected with BVD. Processing one sample provides nearly 150 genetic markers and costs $35 per head.

Jim Tate, national sales manager for IGENITY, called it “an infallible way to make progress.

“Both seedstock and commercial producers with multiple sires pastures can test for sires of calves, obtain information about PI-BVD, evaluate calving ease differences among sires, evaluate sire dominance, and test for carcass and meat traits, all from one sample with IGENITY,” Dikeman said. “The information about carcass and meat traits can then be passed on to cattle feeders and beef processors, hopefully for some premium. As the beef industry becomes more coordinated, this will become more significant in the future.”

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