Beef Improvement Federation Annual Convention May 31 - June 3, 2017 Athens, Georgia May 31, 2017 Welcome to the Peach State! On behalf of the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) and the University of Georgia (UGA), it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 49th Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting and Research Symposium. The annual BIF Meetings, as they are referred to by most of us, not only offer the opportunity to learn about the latest topics affecting beef cattle improvement and profitability, they also provide the chance to interact and network with leaders in several of the different areas that encompass beef improvement in both the U.S. and Canada. The conversations in the hallway have become a highlight for many that regularly attend these meetings as industry leaders, scientists, extension personnel, breed association and company personnel, and producers discuss and debate the future of beef cattle genetic improvement. The BIF Conference planning committee has worked hard to provide a program that will stimulate much thought and discussion. Most people associate Georgia with peaches, poultry and peanuts, but according to 2015 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, beef cattle was the third leading agricultural commodity in the state in terms of farm gate receipts during 2015 and was ahead of both peanuts and peaches. It is important that beef cattle producers in Georgia and elsewhere continue to focus on key technologies, tools and strategies that allow them to be profitable and sustainable. It is our hope that those that attend this year’s meetings will take home information that will enhance their enterprises. The BIF Meeting would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Please take the time to thank each of them for their contributions. We hope all of you enjoy your time in Athens, home of the University of Georgia, which is the nation’s oldest chartered state public university. If you have the time, travel around the state; it has mountains, beaches, a rich history and great natural beauty. Sincerely, Ronnie Silcox, PhD Will Bentley Meeting Coordinator GCA Executive VP Associate Professor Table of Contents Welcome to the Peach State!.................................................................................Inside Front Cover Schedule of Events…………….........................................................................................................2 General Session Speaker Biographies……………............................................................................4 2017 BIF Commercial Producer of the Year Award Nominees...………….....................................6 BIF Commercial Producer of the Year Past Recipients..……………...............................................8 2017 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Award Nominees……………........................................9 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Past Recipients.…………….................................................12 Ambassador Award Past Recipients……………............................................................................13 Pioneer Award Past Recipients……………....................................................................................14 Continuing Service Award Past Recipients…………….................................................................15 Baker/Cundiff Memorial Scholarship……………..........................................................................16 Roy A. Wallace Memorial Scholarship……………........................................................................18 Board of Directors and Officers..…………….................................................................................19 Sponsors…………….......................................................................................................................20 Tours……………............................................................................................................................26 2016 Award Winners……………...................................................................................................28 Proceedings Papers.…………………………………………………………………………….….30 The Promise of Genomics for Beef Improvement – Lourenco et al.…………………..…….....…30 What the Beef Industry Can Learn About Genomics from Another Livestock Industry – Lawlor.………………………………………………………………………………....43 Where We Are Going with Genomics and Genetic Improvement – Spangler and Van Eenennaam……………………………………………………………………………………51 Strategic Use of Heterosis – Thrift………………………………………………………………...68 The Power of Economic Selection Indexes to Make Genetic Change in Profitability – Bullock et al...………...............................................................................................73 Investing in the Future: Heifer Development for Longevity – Rhinehart……………...…....…….81 Lessons Learned from 32 Years of Retained Ownership – TCSDF Summary – Busby……………...………………………………………………………………………..........90 Economic Risk Analysis of Embryo Transfer Programs Through Stochastic Simulation – Aherin et al…………...……………………………………………………………..94 Mean EPDs Reported by Different Breeds – Kuehn and Thallman………….....……………….107 Across-Breed EPD Tables for the Year 2017 Adjusted to Breed Differences for Birth Year of 2015 – Kuehn and Thallman………………………………………………………112 Baker/Cundiff Award Paper: The Importance of Water Efficient and Adaptable Cows – Cashley Ahlberg……………………………………………………………………………….145 Baker/Cundiff Award Paper: Management of Lethal Recessive Alleles While Optimizing Genetic Gain in Beef Cattle – Lindsay Upperman……………………………………………….155 Schedule of Events Wednesday, May 31, 2017 11:30 a.m. What you heard 8:00 a.m. – Noon BIF Board Meeting Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University 10:00 a.m – 7:00 p.m. Registration Opens, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Awards Luncheon Athens Classic Center Foyer Presentation of BIF Commercial Producer, American Angus Assn. Presentation of BIF Pioneer, Frank Baker 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Young Producers Symposium and Larry Cundiff Scholarships • Starting from Scratch: Tips for building an operation from the ground up. Kevin and Lydia Yon, Yon Family 2:00 – 5:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions Farms, Ridge Spring, SC Advancements in Genomics and Genetic Prediction • Smart financial planning: Business planning and loan Chair: Dr. Mark Thallman, USDA-ARS-MARC approval for young cattlemen. Dr. Curt Lacy, Mississippi • 2:00 – 2:45 Genomic prediction developments at State University American Angus • Marketing Challenges your dad didn’t face: Stephen Miller, American Angus Association Understanding millennial consumers and social • 2:45 - 3:30 A new cow fertility prediction, Bruce marketing strategies. Amanda Radke, Rancher, Golden, Theta Solutions Marketing Specialist and Correspondent for BEEF • 3:30 – 4:15 Considerations for adjusting carcass magazine, Mitchell, SD traits to differing endpoints Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Reception • 4:15 – 5:00 BIF sub-committee report on across- breed EPD programs: proposed improvements 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. NAAB Symposium Larry Kuehn, US Meat Animal Research Center The Benefits of Proven Genetics & A.I. Featuring Dr. Les Anderson of the University of Kentucky and Advancements in Producer Applications Dr. Dave Patterson from the University of Missouri Chair: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky • 2:00 – 3:30 Panel Discussion Thursday, June 1 Implications of multi-breed evaluations and across- 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration, breed EPDs for commercial cattlemen Athens Classic Center Foyer Bruce Golden, Theta Solutions Larry Kuehen, US Meat Animal Research Center 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska Joe Epperly, North American Limousin Foundation 8:00 a.m. – Noon General Session I: • 3:30 – 4:15 Local genetic adaptation project The Current Value and Future Promise of Genomics for Jared Decker, University of Missouri Beef Improvement • 4:15 – 5:00 Genetics of reproduction project Moderator: Dr. Keith Bertrand, The University of Georgia Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California – Davis 8:00 a.m. Opening comments Advancements in Efficiency and Adaptability Chair: Dr. Mark Enns, Colorado State University 8:15 a.m. The promise of genomics for beef improvement. • 2:00 – 2:45 Evaluating sustained cow production: Dr. Daniela Lourenco, The University of Georgia Alternate definitions of stayability. Scott E. Speidel, Assistant Professor, Department of 9:00 a.m. What the beef industry can learn about Animal Sciences, Colorado State University genomics use from other industries. • 2:45– 3:30 Cow and bull fertility in a fescue Dr. Tom Lawlor, Holstein Association USA challenged environment. Justin Rhinehart, Assoc. Professor and Extension Beef 9:45 a.m. Question and Answer Session Cattle Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Tennessee. 10:00 a.m. Break • 3:30 – 4:15 Beef cattle climate adaptability: How can genomics help? 10:30 a.m. Where we are going with genomics and genetic Raluca Mateescu, Associate Professor of Quantitative improvement. Genetics & Genomics, Department of Animal Sciences, Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska and University of Florida Dr. Alison Van Eenenaam, University of California – Davis 2 Schedule of Events • 4:15 – 5:00 Feed intake in Brangus cattle: • 2:00 – 2:45 Update on the GGP-F250 and loss of Experiences and Recommendations function lethals Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Extension Specialist and Associate Jerry Taylor, University of Missouri-Columbia Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University • 2:45 - 3:30 How genome editing could synergistically accelerate animal