With an increase in genomic testing and overall understanding of genetic merit, the goal for this project is to help producers adopt a new tool to utilize when selecting traits using maternal parentage for their commercial herds. Agricultural Extension Agents Evan Tate from Hancock County, Greg Comer from Ohio County, and Whitney Carman from Grayson County worked with Beef Extension Specialists on this project. In 2020, we enrolled 240 young commercial cows and virgin heifers from eleven operations, within the three counties, comprised of multiple breeds into the Igenity Beef, genetic testing program. Ohio County enrolled 70 heifers from a producer with an 800 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. 

         From the DNA tissue samples, a large amount of data, was received on the participating herds. Agents extrapolated and averaged the data on a per herd basis and as a whole, using the Igenity Beef database. Reference booklets were developed, for each producer, with appropriate recommendations suited for those particular operation's goals.  Furthermore, the collective data was used to better understand baselines for the commercial herds in the region and the economic relevance, not just for particular traits themselves but, the return on investment for commercial cow DNA testing as well.

         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 lomgevity, while ultimately increasing the beef enterprise’s profitability on their farm. 

         The herd in Ohio Co. was so pleased with the information and resulting matings, that agents tested another 75 heifers in 2021. The producer is using the information to make groupings for cows and mating decisions for the bulls. The producer plans to DNA sample all heifers entering the herd each year in the future.