IGENITY® — Commercial Ranch Genetic Evaluation
Genetic Evaluation now possible for Commercial Producers
Producers can use the IGENITY profile to match calves with their most-likely sires,
when multiple bulls are present, then use the IGENITY Commercial Ranch Genetic Evaluation
to calculate expected progeny differences (EPDs) for herd sires.
Producers have the option of selecting a single trait or multiple traits, whichever are most
important to their individual operation.
In the past, running more than one bull per pasture meant losing out on calculating
EPDs and evaluating a bull's performance after his first calf crop was on the ground.
information on sires even in commercial operations.
Practical and Significant Return on Investment
Research has shown that the IGENITY Commercial Ranch Genetic Evaluation is not only practical,
but it has a significant return on investment. Dr. Bob Weaber, assistant professor
in beef cattle genetics at the University of Missouri-Columbia, has determined the
economic return to progeny testing using the IGENITY Commercial Ranch Genetic Evaluation.
"In any operation, where producers select from a battery of bulls, progeny testing
can generate an additional $8,000 per year, per bull beyond using performance
testing alone to make selection decisions," Dr. Weaber says. "Though the specific
value may vary, adding progeny testing and genetic evaluation to an operation will
prove to be profitable in almost every situation."
Within-herd EPD calculations are a practical, powerful and reliable tool for
all ranches. To receive the greatest benefits, define the goals you hope to achieve
— and the EPDs you desire to calculate. Some of the most economically important
traits include:
- Calving ease
- Weaning weight
- Yearling weight
- Carcass traits/grid value
- Heifer fertility
- Cow longevity
For more information on these traits and other indicators included in an IGENITY
Sire Report, refer to the sample report located here.
Once your goals are established, follow these simple steps to begin calculating
within-herd EPDs — and achieving those goals faster with an IGENITY profile:
It's easy to succeed with IGENITY
- Call 1-877-IGENITY or visit www.igenity.com to order IGENITY sample collection devices
at least 90 days before the breeding season. At that time, you also will receive
a free handbook that will guide you through the steps to successfully use the program.
- Collect samples from bulls and send them to IGENITY for genotyping and sorting into
breeding groups 45 days prior to turnout. This can
enhance the number of sire/calf matches — especially if the sires are closely
related.
- Manage bulls and cows for optimal results.
- Keep bulls in the same pastures throughout the breeding season.
- Attempt to run cows in the same groups throughout the breeding season and through
branding or weaning.
- Maintain cows in the same groups throughout the breeding season and through branding
or weaning.
- Collect calf DNA samples at branding, preconditioning or weaning, and send samples
to IGENITY. IGENITY will profile each calf and identify the most likely sire.
- Collect weaning, feedyard, carcass, heifer pregnancy or any other data for evaluation,
using the IGENITY Genetic Evaluation Input Form. Send the data to IGENITY, using
the recommended format.
- Sort or remove bulls according to your goals, the IGENITY Commercial Ranch Genetic
Evaluation Sire Report and the IGENITY profiles.
Click here
for the PDF version of this information.
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