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Investigating the Use of Genomics Testing to Select Replacement Heifers in Georgia Beef Herds

Applied Research

Holly Anderson
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia
Fitzgerald

Abstract

Reproductive efficiency is essential for beef herd success and profitability. It begins with replacement heifer selection. Traditional heifer selection depends on evaluating several physical traits such as age and body weight at weaning and age at puberty. The study design is to answer the question: Does genomic testing in beef replacement heifer selection have value for the average Georgia beef herd owner? We investigated the practical application and feasibility of genomic testing for selecting commercial beef heifers. In this study, we compared Neogen Igenity Beef genomic testing with pregnancy rates. Neogen reports the results as a quartile ranking for each heifer with the best being a 4-star rank and the lowest as 1-star rank. In this study three herds were evaluated. The first (Herd 1) consist of 27 heifers, the second (Herd 2) consisted of 20 heifers, and the third (Herd 3) consisted of 52 heifers. Heifers from herd 1 and 2 were selected from a herd on UGA Coastal Plain Experiment Station Beef Unit in Alapaha, Ga. Heifers in herd 3 were commercial heifers consigned to the UGA HERD program in Irwinville, Ga. Herd 1 pregnancy checks were performed on August 22nd, 2019. The correlation between Neogen rankings and days bred was 0.604 for Herd 1 first pregnancy. Herd 2 was checked August 20th, 2020 for first calf pregnancy. There was no significant difference (P >0.18) between star ranking and pregnancy rates on pregnancy in Herd 2. Herd 3 heifers were pregnancy checked on March 17th, 2020. There was no significant difference in star ranking versus pregnancy rate for these heifers as well.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. If NOT selected as a State winner, it will not be displayed at the AM/PIC and the abstract will not be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Holly Anderson, Justin Hand, Simer Virk , Lee Jones, Eric Prostko, Kimberly Post
  1. Anderson, H. County Extension Agent, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31750
  2. Hand, J. UGA Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31794
  3. Virk , S. Assistant Professor and Extension Precision Ag Specialist, University of Georgia , University of Georgia , Georgia, 31794
  4. Jones, L. . Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, UGA College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31794
  5. Prostko, E. Extension Agronomist - Weed Science, University of Georgia, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31794
  6. Post, K. Agriculture and Natural Resource Agent, University of Georgia, University of Georgia , Georgia, 31635