Jan.
11, 2013
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For
more information contact:
Bill
Bowman, chief operating officer, at 816-383-5100 or bbowman@angus.org.
Angus Improves Genetic Selection Tools
Genomic-enhanced
EPDs and $Values provide better characterization of Angus cattle.
The American Angus Association®
announces enhancements to its genetic prediction tools following an extensive
genomic recalibration project in collaboration with Pfizer Animal Genetics. Starting
Jan. 11, Angus breeders will notice updates to expected progeny differences
(EPDs) impacted by Pfizer HD50K tested animals.
“In an effort to bring the best
science and technology possible to our Angus breeders, a Pfizer HD50K recalibration
process was necessary to better characterize Angus genetics,” says Bill Bowman,
Association chief operating officer and Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) president.
Users of Angus genetics will see changes
in the following: EPDs and accuracies
for Pfizer HD50K tested animals, re-estimated genomic correlations and updated economic
assumptions that impact $Values.
“We encourage breeders and commercial
bull buyers to access the most current EPDs and $Values through our Association
website,” Bowman says. “This continued effort to provide robust, real-time
selection tools – focused on economics – benefits the Angus breed, and the
entire industry, long term.”
The National Cattle Evaluation (NCE)
EPDs are processed weekly and posted every Friday on www.angus.org.
The
American Angus Association serves nearly 30,000 members across the United
States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and
others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef
industry and quality beef for consumers.
For
more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s
programs and services, visit www.angus.org.
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