Efforts are underway to improve genetics in cattle herds to better sustainability

Researchers are finding ways to improve genetics in cattle herds to help ranchers be more sustainable in their day-to-day operations.

Research is underway to improve genetics in cattle herds.

It is an effort to help ranchers be more sustainable in their day-to-day operations. A professor of Animal Science at Kansas State University shares what is ahead in the field of genomics.

“We continue to work on both in the direct measures of dry matter intake and expand the access and carcass data, as important it is to our business, was one that’s lagged across many breed organizations because it’s expensive and difficult to collect. Mature cow weight is another area that’s important from a selection index standpoint because it describes the cost of production for our cows, very sparsely reported in almost every U.S. beef breed. And so, I think we need to continue to do lots of our existing trade stuff but also get an eye for the future,” said Dr. Bob Weaber.

Dr. Weaber says K-State is also working on male fertility as a way to improve cattle herds across the country.

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