If it seems the world of beef genetics keeps changing at a faster and faster pace, you’re right.  

That can be attributed in part to advancements in genomic technology and in part to the adoption rate of that technology by Angus breeders, said William Herring, vice president of research and development at Cobb-Vantress, one of the world’s leading poultry genetics companies.  

Herring and Mark Allan, a beef and dairy genetic consultant, joined The Angus Conversation to discuss everything from genomic testing and artificial intelligence to commercial data and the importance of phenotypes. 

With decades of experience across multiple species, they shared their view of changes in the genetic landscape — past, present and future. 

High-density chips were game changers a little over a decade ago.  

“What you saw with that was the ability to run faster became incredibly empowering,” Herring said. “It helps for discovery of additional traits, but the most powerful thing is really the rapid acceleration of genetic progress.” 

Of course, going quicker also means, “you can run faster in the wrong direction,” Herring cautioned. 

Allan noted parentage verification was the very first area where genomics made huge improvements in the herd right away.  

“What that did with heritability of traits and accuracy of pedigree on the impact of the genetic evaluations alone for any species was huge,” he said.  

That accuracy, in turn, helped the commercial users of those genetics. 

“A genomic-enhanced EPD takes out more risk in those mating decisions,” Allan said. “It’s not perfect by any means — genetic selection never has been — but it’s taking some risk out.” 

Looking to the future, artificial intelligence is already helping identify patterns and sort through huge volumes of data quicker, Herring said. But both men predict another big opportunity for the beef business is in closing the feedback loop by getting more data back from the users of Angus genetics.  

“You just simply can’t outrun the truth — you've got to know where you are to know where you’re going,” Herring said, emphasizing the importance of seeing the genetics out in production scenarios.   

Every single chick in their system is informative. Blood is taken shortly after hatching and the information is added to the database. The company gets data back from different farms and then evaluates the performance of those genetics in various environments. 

Allan says the beef industry would benefit from more commercial data in many ways, but especially as they try to make the best fit for multiple regions or management strategies. 

“Everybody can find the highest for whatever the index is or the biggest growth bull or whatever the Number 1 or top 1% is. But that’s maybe not the animals that you should be using in your management scheme to make you the most money,” he offered.  

Herring spoke as part of the Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) Imagine Beef Genetics Forum in Kansas City in August. Scientists and producers alike gathered there to trade ideas on needs in the field and possible research and development that could solve those challenges.