In 2020, Patton Farms participated in a genomic testing program offered by the Ohio, Hancock & Grayson Co. Extension ANR Agents. The goal for this project was to help producers adopt a new tool to utilize when selecting traits using maternal parentage for their commercial herds. In 2020, Patton Farms enrolled 70 replacement heifers from their 700 head cow herd.

         Agents collected Tissue Sampling Units (TSUs) and recorded data cow-side (BCS, hip height, foot/leg score, coat color, disposition score and udder score) to complement the data returned from Igenity. 

         The initial outcome from this project was that producers were educated on this new technology that when applied effectively, can be used to aid in making better cow/bull mating decisions, thus improving the herds’ genetics and longevity, while ultimately increasing the beef enterprise’s profitability on their farm. 

         The Patton’s were so pleased with the information and resulting matings, that agents tested an additional 75 replacement heifers in 2021. The producer is using the information to make groupings for cows and mating decisions for the bulls. 

         The total impact of the information and matings is still being evaluated, but Patton Farms plan to continue genomic testing all future replacement heifers, as well as, placing greater emphasis on structural integrity and disposition, with the ultimate goal of increasing the longevity of the cows, thus improving profitability.