As this issue hits mailboxes, Angus breeders will surpass two million genotypes submitted to Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) for analysis. The milestone represents more than DNA samples, lab work and incredibly valuable data. It reflects years of decisions by breeders who embraced new technology before the benefits were fully understood.

When genomic testing first emerged, it was anything but routine. Breeders pulled hair or collected blood samples, learned new processes and trusted the technology would eventually deliver value. Those early adopters laid the groundwork for where we are today.

Today the American Angus Association genetic evaluation conducted by AGI includes two million genotypes linked to pedigrees and more than 82 million phenotypes. Together, they fuel the most powerful and trusted single-breed genetic evaluation in the world. Genomics has improved expected progeny difference (EPD) accuracy, strengthened parentage verification and enabled tools that would not exist without this level of participation.

One of the newest examples is Parent Match^SM, which helps identify unknown parentage. The tool is only possible because of the depth and connectivity of genomic data breeders have built over time. Learn more here.

How breeders collect DNA has evolved as well. Many now use tissue sampling units, or TSUs, rather than hair or blood. TSUs offer a higher quality sample resulting in lower failure rates and improved turnaround times at the lab due to more automation. 

With hair and blood samples, DNA is extracted at the genomics labs and the remaining sample is sent back to the Association office for long-term storage. Many members have seen this archive firsthand in two vaults during visits to the office. Those samples have proven valuable in the past, particularly to test high-influence animals to clear thousands of cattle as potential genetic condition carriers.

Archiving TSU samples works differently. Our partner genomic labs use different DNA extraction methods, and they have different policies on how long they retain the frozen samples. 

That reality has introduced a practical challenge. Freezer storage is limited and costly. As TSU adoption has grown, so has the need to ask some important questions: What truly needs to be archived long-term? Where does retaining a sample add real value? And where does it add cost with limited benefit?

The Board has been considering different options, evaluating costs and benefits, and recognizing practical realities like the fact that many samples come from bulls that were turned out on commercial cows, where the likelihood of future retesting is relatively low.

Under the direction of the Board, staff will present recommendations at the June meeting. Those recommendations will reflect an evaluation of options and benefits, fiscal responsibility, and plans to maintain access to samples from highly influential animals should testing be needed in the future. We also plan to share breeder best practices for archiving DNA samples from high-influence animals within their own herds.

Two million genotypes is not a finish line, but it is a reminder of how far the industry has come and the responsibility that comes with that progress. As genomics has matured, so must the systems that support it, including how we thoughtfully and responsibly manage archived DNA samples for the long term. 

Thanks to the breeders who submitted the first DNA samples, trusted the science and stayed the course. This milestone belongs to them, and the work it enables will help move the breed forward for years to come.