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IGS Updates to CE & MCE EPDs
EPDs posted from the 11/18 run included evaluation changes to Calving Ease (CE) & Maternal Calving Ease (MCE)
What does this mean?
IGS made three improvements that make Calving Ease (CE) & Maternal Calving Ease (MCE) predictions cleaner, more accurate, and more consistent. With change comes some re-ranking and additional spread from highest to lowest values. The information IGS released is at the bottom of this post, and here’s the Data Genie interpretation & breakdown.
Breed and Decade Interaction Effect Updates
– More stable, consistent EPDs
– Less noise when a breed or time period has minimal data
– Will allow for cleaner comparisons across years and across different breeds in the IGS systemExternal EPD Incorporation
– More predictable calving ease trends in a multi-breed evaluation with considerations of internal and external informationMarker Effects
– CEM is now a genomic EPD which means we’ll see higher accuracy for this trait
– Improved predictions for MCE
– Updated handling of relationships between related traitsSummed Up
Model improvements always cause some level of movement. We trust that IGS performed their validation process effectively and that this update will better characterize the genetic potential of animals for calving ease (direct and maternal). So far, with this update, we are noticing a shift in the CE mean coupled with an increased range of EPDs for many animals CE and to a lesser degree MCE EPD values moved lower, even though their relative % ranking within the breed may be similar to before. If anything appears inconsistent or doesn’t line up with what you expect in your herd, please flag it and we can help review, and work with the association on explanations as needed.I know it’s tough while we’re living through one, but evaluation updates are a necessary and healthy part of genetic progress. As new data, methodology, and computing power becomes available, the IGS system will continue to evolve and that’s a good thing. There’s rarely an ideal time to release updates, but we have to work with what we’re given. The focus now should be reviewing your herd specific data and using percentile ranks to help interpret any changes, alerting if something is out of sync. If you have questions on specific animals or need a report sent to help evaluate your animals, and are a client, please reach out to us because that’s exactly what Data Genie is here for.
Adapted from: ASA (https://herdbook.org/simmapp/template/epdAnalytics%2CPurebred.vm and https://herdbook.org/simmapp/template/epdAnalytics%2CHybrid.vm)
Updates to CED and CEM Genetic Evaluation – from IGS
International Genetics Solutions (IGS) has updated the calving ease direct (CED) and calving ease maternal (CEM) genetic evaluation. These updates have increased the efficiency and prediction accuracy of the evaluation. Three updates were made as outlined below.
Breed and Decade Interaction Effect. Previously, a breed and decade interaction was fit as a random effect. Some breed x decade groups had sparse representation causing decreased evaluation efficiency. Now, breed and decade effects are decoupled, or fit as two separate effects.
External EPD Incorporation. Previously, external EPD were included directly in the coefficient matrix. Now, external EPD are included after the internal EPD analysis. This will allow the impact of external EPD information to be more clearly compared.
Marker Effects. Previously, marker effects for maternal effects were not included. Now, methodology has been developed that has the ability to fit marker effects for direct and maternal effects simultaneously. CEM EPD are now genomically enhanced. In addition, updates to the covariances between marker effects for different traits included in the evaluation were also updated.
These updates have undergone an extensive validation process and prediction accuracy of the CED and CEM genetic evaluation has improved. Members may see slight re-ranking as a result of these changes. Members with any questions regarding these updates or specific animals’ EPD can reach out to the breed Association staff or board members for more information.
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There’s a Lot of Info in That Little TSU
DNA testing and EID ear tags pair well.
Updated July 29, 2025 12:06 PM
Read the full article on the Drover’s website. It was great to collaborate with Burt and share about the power of the information we’re collecting in those little vials.
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Commercial Producers – EPDs
Commercial cattlemen, this one is for you. If you want EPDs generated by the largest multi-breed genetic evaluation in the world, you can absolutely have them, but you need to enroll your calving age females with ASA.
Leoma Donsbach, Data Genie LLC https://www.simmental.org/site/index.php/asa-programs/asas-programs/total-herd-enrollment-the
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DNA and Mis-Identification of Samples
As we continue to see an increase in DNA submissions, we have also seen an increase in the mis-identification of samples. I get it, it happens. We are only human and processing cattle can get a bit fast paced at times. However, we want to emphasize it is CRITICAL to assign a dedicated individual to collecting the DNA samples and noting down the ID to help prevent mistakes as much as possible. Here are a few ways you might set yourself up for success chute side and in the office.
✅ Try to minimize the “jobs” that the DNA collector has and allow them to focus on getting the sample, marking down the ID on the TSU box and then checking the tag again, marking it down in the notebook with the running list of animals.
✅ You may have picked up on the suggestion of having a notepad/laptop and/or way to track a list of the animals in the order they came through the chute. This comes in handy if we ever have a question if an animal was written down wrong on the TSU box. The likelihood that you won’t catch the mistake right then by checking the tag twice and writing it down twice, minimizes.
✅ If there’s a question on an animal or a “no tag”, etc. make sure to note that down or anything else that might prove helpful at a later point if the DNA does not check out.
✅ If you’re a Data Genie client, you can take photos of the TSU boxes, text/email those and we will put together the DNA paperwork and testing requests with the corresponding Associations.
⚠️ If you place the information on a spreadsheet, make sure the correct barcode is attached to the correct animal record, especially if you sort the spreadsheet during the process. An easy way to double check is to sort by TSU barcode once you have everything entered and then cross reference to your boxes. Keep the TSUs in the boxes (see example below) until you’re ready to ship them.
✅ Once you have DNA paperwork/manifests, go through line by line, remove the TSU from the box and place into a Ziploc bag. This is another opportunity to ensure the correct ID is matched up to that TSU barcode. Print and enclose the necessary DNA paperwork inside the Ziploc with the samples. Ship in a padded envelope/box with bubble wrap to address supplied in the instructions.
💯 You have done your due diligence to ensure the samples are matched up to the correct animals which is very important, especially if you’re running genomics so the genotype is matched up to the right individual for the evaluation.
⚠️ A reminder, when you receive DNA results back on an animal, those results are based upon the sample submitted and linked to that record. If the sample is not labeled accurately, then all of the corresponding information is incorrect with regards to that animal it’s attached to. It is imperative to determine whether the correct animal was sampled when you’re exploring DNA mishaps and should always be a consideration in the DNA process, especially if results aren’t as you expected.
#DataGenie
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Benefits of Submitting Transfers to the Association
If your spring sale has come and gone, payments and delivery has been completed, please get the transfer information submitted to your Association. Even if the buyer indicates they do not want the papers, here’s a few reasons why it may be beneficial to submit them anyway.
Animal lists and inventories can get quite lengthy if a membership is not transferring ownership of registered cattle. Similar to a vehicle title transfer, if you submit the necessary paperwork through the Association, the record of the sale will be filed and if something comes up down the line or the animal exchanges hands again, you may save yourself chasing down old ghosts to try and get it sorted out. Outlined below is a bit more information on transferring with various breeds.
The first transfer on an animal in the Simmental database is always FREE of charge. As an added perk, NEW buyers get added to the SimTalk magazine list for up to 2 years. Red Angus will transfer FREE of charge for the first 60 days after the date of sale Gelbvieh will transfer FREE of charge if you’re an active AGA member, non-members pay $20.00.
Angus charges $5.00 if transferred within 30 days, $7.00 between 31-60 days. NEW buyers will get added to the Angus Bulletin magazine list which is published 5x per year. Hereford charges 5.00 if transferred within 30 days, $8.00 thereafter Charolais the first transfer is FREE for natural/AI calves if enrolled in Whole Herd Reporting (WHR) and submitted within 30 days. If not in WHR it is $8.00 for bulls, $12.00 for heifers, if transferred within 30 days, fees go up from there Limousin charges $20.00 if transferred within 60 days, $30.00 if submitted after 60 days.*Always verify fee information with your respective Association prior to submitting as they are subject to change.
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RightBull – Precision genomic selection tools for the future of commercial beef production
Written by : Marty Ropp – Allied Genetic Resources
Many of you have seen the unprecedented results created by the RightMate and RightChoice tools for precision matings in the beef genetics industry. Now, Top Genomics is moving forward with tools that employ the same, cutting-edge technologies, but in a format that is more suited to the way most commercial herds breed cows and make decisions.
The basis is simple. Some bulls just genomically match some females more completely, while some should never be considered for that particular cow even if he is a wise choice for many others. This works very well for AI situations and small breeding groups. For larger groups of breeding females however, the same genomic factors can still apply. Genomically, some sires just complement a given group or herd of females better than others. This is especially true when you include the potential to optimize genetic diversity and include program breeding objectives. The bottom line is that the sire decisions you have made in the past make your herd unique and have culminated in females with certain genotypic strengths and weaknesses. That genetic package in your cow herd is what you work with every day and that history is important. What is crucial moving forward however are the decisions associated with the next generation. Which bull(s) or genetics should you purchase to create the outcome you want the most often and improve the uniformity of your calf crop and future cow herd?
With a genomic snap-shot of your commercial cow herd, it is possible to sort a group of sale bulls or AI candidates to best match your particular situation and wishes in a way that provides substantially more insurance of success than just paging through a catalog or walking from pen to pen. RightBull gives you a ranked list of the bulls you should consider from an offered group, then you make the decisions from that short list based on the traits and factors you favor when purchasing seedstock. Better decisions more often is the result. The bulls on your list might be completely different from the ones on your neighbors list, all based on the genetic decisions you have made over the years.
The process:
- Access (if genotypes are currently available) or genotype a minimum of 25% of the existing cow herd. This minimum percentage may differ slightly depending on group sizes and total females to mate, but the more females genotyped the more accurate the evaluation. For some this will be a decision to genotype the entire herd or at least all of the young females. The information delivered to Top Genomics must be in the form of raw genotypes and not genomic scores (please contact Allied for Questions) in order to get the core information needed for RightBull.
- Get permission from you seedstock provider to access to the genotypes and EPDs of the potential bulls to consider, then transfer that information along with the genotypes of the cow herd to Dr. Mahdi Saatchi at Top Genomics LLC. If he already has those genotypes, the process is even easier.
- Participate in a conversation with staff regarding your mating plans and breeding objectives so that the results can be better customized to your management practices and genetic goals.
- Top Genomics will provide you a RigthBull ranking and %Genomic Match for bulls in that particular offering for you to use as an important “first sort” in preparation for purchase.
- Please allow 5-8 weeks from the time you collect DNA samples to expect results, but just 2 weeks for the RightBull evaluations to be completed if your cow’s genotypes are already available.
Additional options:
- RightBull is also available for Seedstock producers wishing to access unique genetics from an offering.
- Choosing ideal heifer bulls is great strength of the RightBull and RightMate technologies. You choose the level of risk you feel appropriate and Top Genomics will help you make wise choices. Not every heifer or group of heifers needs an extremely light birth weight bull as most producers know, but some heifers are quite high risk for challenge. RightBull can help give you confidence of the genomics in your heifer group and help make financially better decisions for sire choices. One at a time in the case of AI or group by group for natural service.
- Another popular program is for Top Genomics to sort females in the herd based on more similar genetics into groups that will more closely match specific bull selections.
- It is also an option to sort a cow herd into groups based on desired outcomes and then prescribe different bulls based on the breeding objectives for each group. A typical example might be to sort a maternal group or groups and then sort females designed to be mated terminally. The idea is to maximize grow and calf value from the terminal group, while making balanced and maternal value choices for the remaining females. Generating more profitable and predictable results is the result.
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Red Angus – New Genetic Mutation Identified – Exercise-Induced Collapse (EC)
In case you missed it, in the latest Red Angus eNews they now have a DNA test available for Exercise-Induced Collapse (EC) available through the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA).
From Dr. Lindsay Upperman’s article (read the full article by clicking on the link below) here’s an overview of EC.
EC is best described as an exercise intolerance during strenuous activity, which presented in the original animals as exaggerated fatigue or muscle twitches, leading to the animals laying down or collapsing. “After a period of rest most calves were able to recover, however in a percentage of cases with extreme or repeated physical exertion, the condition can be fatal.” Researchers located a variant in the PYGM gene. This gene breaks down glycogen in skeletal muscle and the mutation causes this not to happen and leads to the exercise intolerance in affected calves. Another key is the researchers also noted a negative effect on the meat quality of affected calves due to the buildup of glycogen, resulting in higher pH and dark cutters on the rail. It’s also important to note the mutation is a autosomal recessive genetic mutation so the sire and dam both need to carry one copy for the offspring to be affected.Here is the information regarding EC testing, sharing verbatim from RAAA eNews.
In the July/August issue of Red Angus Magazine, Dr. Lindsay Upperman detailed a newly identified genetic mutation in Red Angus cattle known as exercise-induced collapse. Based on this discovery, a DNA test has been developed to identify potential carriers of EC.
At this time, the RAAA board of directors has NOT changed the rules and regulations regarding EC and whether it will be monitored. The board will continue evaluating EC over the coming months, and more information will be made available soon.
In the meantime, EC testing is now available. Please use updated DNA order forms to request this test found here and here. You may note EC in the defects column when submitting a new sample. If you would like to test animals that have already been DNA tested, send an email to DNA@redangus.org with the animals registration numbers and specify that you wish to have EC testing completed.
The cost of this test is $25 per head for TSU and blood samples, hair samples are $30 per head and semen samples are $27 per head. An additional $2 sample pull fee will be applied if testing is performed on samples already on file.
For questions regarding this new mutation, please reach out to Dr. Lindsay Upperman at lindsay@redangus.org. For EC testing or ordering questions please email the DNA department at DNA@redangus.org.
Information supplied in this post was referenced and sourced from the January 22, 2025 Red Angus eNews along with Dr. Lindsay Upperman’s article in the July/August Red Angus Magazine.
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Mature Cow Weight Reporting – ASA
I’m the first person in line to say, reporting mature cow information to the American Simmental Association (ASA) is NOT intuitive or user friendly. You have to be very careful how it is submitted because it’s really easy to load the dams you want to report mature data on “as animals” and update the information which unfortunately, reports the data to the dam of the female you actually collected the information on. I can’t tell you how many times this has happened but based upon folks reaching out to me, it’s too many. Read through these instructions before you submit mature cow data to ASA, might be very useful and prevent mis-reporting.
First, the easiest way to do this in my opinion is to go to Data Entry, select Download. On the left, select the group of animals you wish to report mature cow information on, on the right, select Expanded File, under Load group select Dams. Then select file type, Download.
This will provide you with an excel file and the dams loaded “as dams”. In column AK you will enter the cow weight, column AM is for Body Condition Score (BCS) and column AN is for the date the measurements were taken. If you happened to collect a hip height there’s a spot for that in column AL. Enter in your data to the spreadsheet, save. Go back to Herdbook Services, Data Entry, Upload. Type in a title for your job, select Animal Data as the job type and then browse, locate your saved spreadsheet and click on Upload File.
Once your file uploads you will either see a Proceed to Billing or a Edit Job button. If you have an Edit Job button that means there are errors that need to be corrected before ASA can accept the data. Click on it and it’ll take you into your incomplete job. There will be red shading at the end of the data row and if you click on the tab that says Errors an explanation is provided. For example, you cannot use a .5 measurement for BCS scoring, it must be a whole number, i.e., ASA does not accept a 5.5, it needs to either be a 5 or a 6.
If you click on the BrthDam tab, you can correct the data which should clear your errors. When you have no errors, under the Animal tab there should NOT be anything filled into the AnmRegNbr or AnmTatt fields if you’re only updating mature cow information in the job (obviously this is different if you’re reporting weaning weight information on a set of calves and mature dam data at the same time, you would have the calves loaded as animals and be updating mature dam data under the BrthDam tab on the dams) but let’s keep it simple in this example and stick to mature cow data only being submitted. Everything under the Animal tab should be blank except the first two columns, dam ASA number and Dam Tattoo.
Click on Submit Data. Job runs through error checks, if all is well click on Proceed to Billing and there should be no charge to add mature data, select Final Submit. Job submitted successfully. If you wish to review the data you have a few options. You can create a custom report to capture that information and it will appear under your HerdMgmt > Reports > Custom Reports for you to easily review the data in a spreadsheet.
Or you can access the information on an individual cow basis via Animal Search, locate the animal, at the bottom right hand corner click on Cow Summary, scroll down to Mature Data and there it is.
If you have any questions on submitting Mature Dam information, I would encourage you to reach out to the Association so they can get those answered. As always, if you’re a Data Genie client, we take care of all this for you and send you back over a nice summary sheet to review, no sweat.
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ASA Voting on Proposed Amendments
If you wish to exercise your right to vote as a member of the American Simmental Association, here’s a step-by-step on how to submit your ballot on the proposed Amendment changes by January 6, 2025. Keep in mind, you can vote in person at the Annual Membership Meeting in Denver on January 17, 2025 at 6pm but the easiest way to cast your ballot is via Herdbook Services online portal.
Log into your ASA Herdbook Services membership account. Under Account information you’ll see the blue button VOTE.
Next you will need to verify your password for Herdbook Services
Once verified you’ll arrive at the voting screen.
You can read all about the proposed amendments via the Amendment Guide but please consider voting “YES” on Amendment No. 3 to be able to add third party management to the bylaws so folks such as myself can operate as data managers with ASA on members behalf and be contracted as a business entity. The founding fathers were visionaries but who would have imagined we would be where we’re at today back in 1972.
Make sure to click the button to Confirm Vote. It then takes you to a summary screen and indicates you can print or save a copy for your records.
Reach out to ASA with any questions or issues you experience while voting. Thank you.
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Fall 2024 News
It’s the time of year where the leaves are changing, folks are busy shipping, farming, weaning calves, kids are back in school playing football, volleyball and probably even pickleball nowadays, or maybe that’s still just the adults over 40. While all of that is going on and the daylight is getting shorter, if you have a bull sale in Jan-May 2025 and you have not shipped DNA in yet, please reach out to me if you have questions or to strategize on best way to get this completed so we are not up against your catalog deadline. Reminder, there’s no “expediting” DNA testing through ANY Association. We need to give ourselves at least 8 weeks from the time the sample enters into testing to have GE-EPDs. More animals (and samples) are being tested than ever before with the lab receiving upwards of 25,000 samples per day. In addition, if you’re taking animals to Denver or on the show circuit yet this fall, make sure to check the rules since quite a few breeds and shows are incorporating DNA testing requirements and we need to ensure animals are ready to be exhibited.
Sale Transfers
– If you sold animals in 2024 and need them transferred, there’s no time like the present. Send over the information and we’ll get those taken care of.
DNA Testing Materials
The preferred method of DNA sampling continues to be the Allflex Tissue Sampling Units (TSUs). For Simmental members, ASA continues to hold steady at $22.00/box of 10 plus shipping costs. Let me know how many and I can coordinate placing an order for you. For all other breeds (or Simmental members if you get in a pinch) Data Genie has TSUs available for the same price as ASA, plus shipping. If you find yourself in need of an Applicator let me know, we will try and find a deal for you. It is best to get your TSUs requested if you’re going to be working animals in the next 3 months, don’t wait. They do not go bad if stored at room temperature so no worries if it takes a bit until you use them. Better to have them on hand when needed rather than to have to pay exorbitant expedited shipping costs.
Simmental Members
Annual Service Fees (ASF) has been invoiced to your accounts as of July 1, 2024 to remain active members these dues must be paid by October 17, 2024. Log-in to your ASA account and pay the balance due today. Accounts with outstanding AMFs will be switched to inactive status on October 17. In addition to paying your AMF, at least one animal record must be registered and/or transferred within the last two years to keep your account active.
Spring Herds
– If you have completed weaning, please gather the records and let’s go ahead and get them reported into the database. Reminder that if you want RightChoice scoring on your calves from Allied/Top Genomics, they need to have weaning weights recorded (in addition to having GE-EPDs) and that have went through IGS BOLT evaluation so that can take up to 2 weeks depending on when the weights get reported.
– Mature Cow Weights and Body Condition Scores (BCS) should be collected within 45 days of weaning. It is not critical to weigh the older cows each year, but IT IS important to capture a weight on the first calf heifers after they’ve weaned the first calf. Older females can be weighed every few years to ideally have 2-3 weights taken over their productive life. If you need a copy of the BCS guidelines let me know.
Fall Herds
– We need to report yearling weights and update disposal codes for calves that were not kept in the herd. If you need a template let me know or just send me the data you have and we’ll get it reported/updated.
– Fall 2024 calving records can be sent to us anytime after you finish up calving. If you want (or have) collected TSU samples on the calves we can certainly get those tested through Calf Crop Genomics (CCG) once the calves have ASA numbers assigned. It’s never to early to get this done.
– Reminder – for birth weight measurements, if you use a hoof tape instead of a scale we need to know that so we can record the weight type as “T” for tape.
– DNA samples should be collected as soon as possible if you plan on participating in Calf Crop Genomics (CCG). A reminder, the participation requirement is to submit a sample on at least 90% of the calves that are reported to the association for that season. For example, if you have 110 females enrolled in spring THE, 10 cows did not calve for various reasons (no calf reported), 50 dams had heifer calves and 50 dams had male calves. ASA is either going to require you to submit 90 samples or greater if you’re sending in both sexes at the same time OR if you are splitting shipping DNA in between males and females they would then require samples on >45 males and >45 females. This becomes very important!!!! so please collect samples on ALL calves and then once we’ve tallied up the numbers and can go through the data if you have enough samples, you can elect to not test a few if they are not needed.
Red Angus Members
Credit/Debit cards include a processing fee of 3% – from RAAA eNews
RAAA has multiple payment options to keep your account current:
– E-check (bank account and routing number)
– Credit/debit cards, includes a processing fee of 3%
– Mailing a check
The easiest way to make a payment is by logging into REDSPro> My Account > Billing/Payment > Pay Account Balance. Both E-check and credit/debit cards can be used for online payments. If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or by call the membership department at 940-387-3502, ext. 7. If mailing a check, please include your account number on the memo line.Fall 2023 Calf Data due by October 18th to RAAA
Every female enrolled in THR for 2023 Fall needs to either have a calf reported or a reason code if she does not have a calf to report. Failure to report this information will result in a dam being inactivated. Once a dam is deactivated the cost to add her back in within 6 months is $50.00 and after that, it’s $100.00. Pretty stiff penalty so let’s make sure to get those records cleared up if you received a “Fall No Progeny” report from RAAA in August, reach out with the missing data and we’ll get it done.
Data Reporting Reminders
Fall Herds
– We need to report yearling weights and update disposal codes for calves that were not kept in the herd. If you need a template let me know or just send me the data you have and we’ll get it reported/updated.
Spring Herds
– DNA samples should be collected as soon as possible on calves and you can store at room temperature until you’re ready to move forward with testing.
– Mature Cow Weights and Body Condition Scores (BCS) should be collected within 45 days of weaning. It is not critical to weigh the older cows each year, but IT IS important to capture a weight on the first calf heifers after they’ve weaned the first calf. Older females can be weighed every few years to ideally have 2-3 weights taken over their productive life. If you need a copy of the BCS guidelines let me know.
Angus Members
Data Reporting Reminders
Fall Herds
– Collecting Teat and Udder Suspension scores within 24 hours of calving and making this part of your calving routine will benefit your EPD accuracy for this trait. If you have any questions on collecting this data, please let me know.
Spring Herds
– If you have completed weaning, please gather the calf records and let’s go ahead and get them reported into the database. There’s no time like the present. If we submit a registration on a calf prior to 4 months of age it’s $12.00 and 4-10 months is $14.00. This can reduce the cost of registration quite significantly.
*We encourage you to order your AI certificates on bulls you do not own once you’ve decided to move forward with registration, this prevents delays and lengthy suspends.
Don’t forget to send flush dates for each ET mating along with whether it was conventional or IVF.
– DNA samples should be collected as soon as possible on calves and you can store them at room temperature until you’re ready to move forward with testing.
– Speaking of DNA testing, if you have an idea of bulls or heifers going in for testing that may end up being collected or the donor pen we should add on the genetic conditions bundle to your AngusGS or HD50K since it’s $18.00 if added to an AngusGS or HD50K and run concurrently. Genetic condition testing is now required for all AI sire’s born after January 1, 2018 and Donor dams born after January 1, 2023. If we come back and run this after the fact, it’s $45.00 and takes ~4-6 weeks to complete.
Industry Tidbits
With the Farm Bill expired, farmers and ranchers face uncertainty. Outdated policies could kick in by 2025 if no action is taken. What does this mean for ag producers? – Western Livestock Journal
Take a closer look at $M versus $W – Angus Beef Bulletin
As always – reach out via email, text or phone for more information on any of the above.
datageniellc.com 