The American Simmental Association (ASA) and International Genetic Solutions (IGS) maintain a steadfast commitment to utilizing and improving the science and technology available to producers. DNA testing has become standard practice for many seedstock producers, and thanks to an initiative by the ASA Board of Trustees, is now a tool the next generation knows about.
In collaboration with Neogen Inc., all animals exhibited at the 2024 American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA) National Classic in Tulsa, OK, were eligible for a complimentary GGP100K (high-density) genomic test, which includes parentage verification. The initiative was designed to educate junior members on the importance and value of DNA testing in the beef industry, as well as stimulate the collection of valuable genomic information. As a result, over 400 DNA samples were collected.
On July 11, 2024, AJSA members and their parents gathered for a DNA collection demonstration. Representatives from Neogen and ASA shared about the benefits of DNA testing, and demonstrated on live animals how DNA samples are collected. Neogen provided all of the tissue sampling units (TSU) and hair cards used to collect samples.
Following the demonstration, ASA staff teamed up with the ASA Board of Trustees to travel through the barns, asking AJSA members if they would like to have their animals tested. Making sure AJSA members and their parents were aware of the free testing and collecting samples was the goal, but beyond that, it allowed young members to meet and talk with ASA leadership.
Lane Giess, ASA geneticist, helped gather samples. “It was great to see ASA staff, trustees and members working together to educate juniors and help them understand the utility of science in the beef business,” he shared.
Each sample tested will return valuable genomic information to AJSA members, verifying the parentage of their animals, and accelerating their genetic knowledge. A genomic test is the equivalent of having at least 25 actual progeny records for growth traits, and 10 for terminal traits. This data will help young producers make breeding decisions, and will also have a positive impact on the entire population.
“Animals that receive genomically enhanced prediction drastically improve the accuracy of their expected progeny differences (EPD) values, which in show cattle is generally a challenge due to smaller contemporary groups and fewer registered progeny,” Giess explained.
Additionally, the testing includes parent verification. An inherent challenge in animal breeding is assigning a sire to progeny, especially when artificial insemination and natural service breeding are used in tandem, or multiple sires are used in a single breeding pasture. The reality is that mistakes happen and there can be discrepancies between the listed sire/dam and the actual sire/dam of an animal, and through DNA testing, parentage can be confirmed if parents themselves are genomically tested.
The ASA requires that any donor female or AI sire must be genomically tested with at least a 100K high-density DNA test for any progeny to be registered. This improves the integrity of the registry, and in the case of the National Classic, improves the integrity of the show. This means that every animal tested through the DNA collection event at the National Classic will also be certified as either an AI sire or donor dam.
Chris Ivie, chairman of the ASA Board of Trustees, was in the barn, talking with AJSA families and collecting DNA samples. Introducing young people to technology like TSU sampling was an important part of the initiative. “Once people saw how simple it is to collect a TSU, they were on board,” he shared.
Interacting with AJSA families was a highlight for Ivie. “I have been a part of many events, and I’ve never seen the engagement that was on display. Every exhibitor and their families had the opportunity to interact with trustees and staff members,” he shared. “They had opportunities to ask us anything they wanted to, and we were able to explain the DNA process and answer their questions.”
Giess echoed this, pointing out that over half of the animals entered at the National Classic were sampled.
“To say the DNA collection event was a success would be an understatement. Almost 60% of all animals at the show were enrolled in the program, and the ability to go down the aisles, visit with juniors and their families one-on-one and talk about science was incredible,” he concluded. “The DNA collection program was met with a ton of enthusiasm and the reception confirms that the ASA is truly the ‘Science Breed.’” — ASA
