Miller-Gustin Genetic Testing Policy
To provide our buyers the information they can use to help them select the
cattle that meet their herd enhancement goals, we are committed to providing
all the data we can about the cattle we raise and sell. We consider genomic
testing essential to enhancing the EPDs in the animal's pedigree
information. With that thought in mind, we have migrated to AngusGS (Angus
Genomic Selection). AngusGS is a DNA test that is designed specifically by
the Angus Association for Angus cattle including potential markers for
future trait selection. This test contains custom markers selected for
Angus, which are not found on other tests.
What do these tests mean to you and what information do they provide?
- Increased predictability and decreased risk for young and unproven
animals due to enhanced accuracy of EPDs
- Better characterization of genetics for difficult-to-measure performance
traits (such as carcass traits, maternal traits and feed efficiency)
- The ability to make more rapid progress for traits that are important to
you, due to:
- more accurate selection
- easier identification of genetic outliers
- the ability to propagate young animals with confidence earlier
in their lives
Real world example. Until we had genomic testing, we always thought that
closely related cattle, ie, full brothers were about the same. They are not.
There are big differences. Three of the full sib ET bulls in this year's
sale had pedigree Calving Ease Direct (CED) scores of 10 prior to being
AngusGS tested. The CED scores after the AngusGS test gave the three bulls
CED scores of 7, 9, & 17. One bull came out with higher CED and the
other two went down. Before the test a buyer would have rated the bulls
equally for CED. After AngusGS testing the buyer has more accurate
information available on this critical trait to help in the bull selection
decision. Other traits are similarly impacted.
Our current bull candidate listing of 2018 sale bulls is available on our
website. As calves come back from cooperating herds, we will test each one
and their respective EPDs will be updated. We would expect that all bulls
will be tested by July of this year. Stay tuned.
We cannot imagine buying cattle that are not AngusGS tested. We hope that you
would not either!
