One of the many benefits of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) participating in the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) multi-breed analysis is the fact that it makes our EPDs comparable with other breeds such as Simmental, Red Angus, and Limousin. This commitment to conformity makes it easier for bull buyers to compare genetic merit of animals from different breeds.

For many years now, the AGA has been encouraging the use of indexes to make more continuous genetic improvement in the directions of terminal value, maternal genetics, and feed efficiency. As a reminder, the AGA offers three indexes:

$Cow: Represents the genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity. $Cow will serve producers in selecting bulls that will sire daughters with stayability and reproductive efficiency as well as other traits that lead to profitability in a production system, such as milk, calving ease, moderate mature weight and the ability of calves to gain. A female’s genetics also influence the performance of her calves in the feedlot and at slaughter, so traits such as feed efficiency and carcass value are also included in $Cow.

When to use: Use $Cow when females will be retained for replacements and cull heifers and steers are slaughtered.

Efficiency profit index (EPI): An economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI provides slight negative pressure on intake, while keeping gain at a constant value. Calving ease and growth to weaning are also included since they are economically relevant traits a terminal sire will influence in production. By selecting on this index, producers will be able to find those animals that gain the same amount as their contemporaries while eating less.

When to use: Use EPI to improve efficiency in your herd.

FPI: An economic selection index designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and are sold on a grade and yield standpoint. Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries.

When to use: Use FPI when all offspring out of a sire will be slaughtered.

Many AGA producers are now using several different breeds as part of a crossbreeding program to produce hybrid animals for their buyers. These breeders might ask: How does the AGA indexes stack up against indexes in other breeds? Are they comparable? While not identical, two of the AGA indexes are closely related to two indexes used by the American Simmental Association (ASA). The AGA FPI is closely related to the ASA Terminal Index (TI). The AGA $Cow index is closely related to the ASA’s All Purpose Index (API). So what does this mean for breeders? It means that when assessing animals, the indexes are closely enough related to get a rough idea of how the animals compare.

Remember, indexes are tools that allow producers to select for several EPDs at once, making selections more efficient than selecting on one trait at a time. Indexes weigh traits based on their importance to a producer’s bottom line by using a trait’s economic and genetic value. Indexes are a good way to put selection emphasis on traits that are economically relevant. Indexes are simple to use because a greater number is always more favorable, meaning a greater amount of profit for an animal’s progeny compared to its contemporaries.

First off I just want to say that I hope everyone is having a good spring. There are a lot of events coming up in the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) to be excited about! Western and Eastern regionals will kick the summer off, both are on June 2-4, with the Western Regional to be held in Las Animas, Colorado, and the Eastern Regional will be held in Batesville, Mississippi. I know both states are excited and working hard to make this year’s regional shows great. Following this, on the week of June 25-30, the AGJA Big Red Classic will be held in Grand Island, Nebraska. Not only are the facilities on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds exceptionally nice, but the junior board along with the Nebraska Gelbvieh Association have been working diligently to make this one of the best junior nationals so far. We really hope you plan to attend!

What I want to talk about though is a little different spin to this year’s Junior Classic. May is Beef Month and one thing I’m reminded of during Beef Month is the fact that we need to be advocates for the beef industry. This means that anytime the opportunity arises we need to promote—or even stick up for— the beef industry. What’s unique about Junior Classic this year is that the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships will be help on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds the same week that we will be there. This means that throughout the week there will be visitors coming through our barns. This is the perfect time for young advocates of the industry to step up. I’m sure these visitors will be asking questions about what you are doing, or why you are doing some of the things that you are. This is the time where positive responses as well as positive actions go a long way.

Finally, the IGS youth leadership conference will wrap the summer up on August 3-6 in Lincoln, Nebraksa. This is a conference that the American Junior Gelbvieh, Simmental, and Shorthorn Associations teamed up for, with the thought that it would be a great opportunity for our youth to not only learn more about the industry through classes and workshops, but it will also be a chance to be equipped with the skills to become future leaders. It’s no secret that we as juniors are the future of the industry. Opportunities such as this leadership conference is how we will develop into the best leaders we can be.

I hope everyone is looking forward toward summer and all the activities that will be taking place. Hope to see you there!

Eventually, there comes a time when each individual has to enter the job market to find a career that best suits them. Strengths and qualities for each individual may be different, but there’s endless opportunities and professions where their skills can be valued. Currently, I am in the
middles of this process, and one of my college professors presented some information I thought could be vital for being successful in finding the job I most desire. According to Job Outlook 2016 from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, over 70 percent of the employers
seek potential employees who show impressive written communication skills and approximately 69 percent desire future members of their staff to possess superior verbal communication qualities. Excellence in communication skills allow individuals to be a superb leader who make
it easy for people below to follow, or be able to effectively communicate with fellow employees while working on group projects. Both leadership and the ability to work in a team were at the top of the list as well.

Even if someone is their “own boss” when they manage a family-owned ranch or feedyard, there are countless reasons why it is still critical to possess professional communication attributes. The first one that comes to mind is customer relationships. Not only the ability to put on a sales pitch, but also being able to inform customers with general industry knowledge or trends in an educated manner can be invaluable when it comes to selling your stock. With the current Veterinary Feed Directive regulations that became effective January 1, it is vital to have a good veterinary-client relationship. Without getting into too many details, there’s a lot of paperwork and requirements that must be approved by the vet before some products can be used. This can make the process a bit of a headache, but if you possess the ability to effectively communicate
with your veterinarian, these new regulations should not cause too much grief. In the feedyard setting it is important you are communicating with not only your vet, but the pharmaceutical sales representative to ensure the product is being used in the correct or most efficient method. There’s a magnitude of other situations in these settings when superior communication skills can be valuable assets.

Strong communication abilities can also come in handy when it’s time to make breeding decisions. Talking with fellow cattle breeders and your area semen sales representative can provide you with information to help make the decision.

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association provides many opportunities for its members to improve their communication abilities. The sales talk competition gives the members a chance to work with customers in a realworld scenario, the judging contest requires contestants
to orally defend their placing decisions, the impromptu speaking contests help devlop the ability to think on your feet and the creative writing contest focuses on improving non-verbal communication. Hopefully, everyone realizes the importance of possessing superior verbal and written
communication attributes to be successful in whatever career path is ahead.

I hope that everyone’s 2017 is off to a great start! There are many upcoming American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) events for all of my fellow junior members and me to attend. For me, some of my favorite times each year are those spent at an AGJA event. From regionals to leadership conferences, there are so many ways to get incorporate the AGJA into your 2017 schedule.

To backtrack a bit, we kicked off our year with our annual donation raffle. The heifer raffle is the largest fundraising opportunity for the AGJA. We couldn’t pull this off and be successful without the help of so many supporters and enthusiastic members. I would like to thank Rippe Gelbvieh for donating pick-of-three heifers for us to raffle off. Their continued support is greatly appreciated. To all who purchased tickets from a junior member, I thank you as well. And last but not least, I want to say thank you to all the AGJA members who sold tickets. It is always exciting to see fellow juniors doing their part to help improve the AGJA.

The next big events on the AGJA calendar are the Eastern and Western regional shows. Our regional shows are a great way for juniors to get out and prepare and practice for the Junior Classic. Catching up with friends and taking part in a few contests are just some examples of the fun to be had at the regional shows. This year the Eastern Regional will be held in Batesville, Mississippi, June 2 to 4, 2017. Or, for those of you closer to Colorado, the Western Regional will be held in Las Animas, Colorado, also on June 2 to 4, 2017. The host committees have been hard at work preparing for our juniors.

My favorite part of summer is always my week spent at the AGJA Junior Classic. The Big Red Classic will be held in Grand Island, Nebraska. AGJA members will invade Grand Island June 25 to 30, 2017. Are you as excited as I am to see what our Nebraska Gelbvieh family has in store for us? I guarantee that you won’t want to miss it! Whether you’re showing cattle or want to make it in the Top Ten All-Around, there are so many great contests to take part in. And let’s not forget about sitting around the show box catching up with all our friends. I can’t wait!

To round out the summer, the AGJA will be taking part in the brand new IGS leadership conference called The Summit. For those AGJA members age 14-22 who are interested, start making plans to journey to Lincoln, Nebraska August 3-6, 2017. This multi-breed event will be a weekend full of learning and networking and is open to all youth in the beef industry. There will be more information coming soon, so stay tuned.

As 2017 continues, I challenge you to be as active with Gelbvieh as possible. There are many sales, state and national shows, field days, and other industry events that we can attend to stay up-to-date and informed. I look forward to seeing you all at a regional show and especially at Junior Classic!

The veterinary feed directive (VFD) discussion has been a hot topic in the beef industry for the past several months. January 1, 2017 is the date in which antibiotic regulations will change the way beef producers administer some types of antibiotics.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted a recent webinar on the VFD. NCBA is committed to providing their membership and beef industry partners with education regarding topics that affect the way the beef industry does business.

To discuss the VFD in length, NCBA invited Mike Murphy, DVM, JD, Ph.D., Federal Drug Administration veterinary medical officer, officer of the director at the Center for Veterinary Medicine along with Tom Portillo, DVM, manager of animal health and wellbeing at Friona Industries. The two provided technical information, regulatory information, VFD practical application and held a question and answer session.

Diving into the Information
 “To sum it all up, medically important drugs were defined, production claims for gain and feed efficiency are coming off of the label and there will be an increase or implementation of veterinarian oversight,” Portillo said.

The reason behind the movement towards VFD is complicated and is being made with respect to antimicrobial resistance. It’s an issue of use driven by the use of antibiotics in humans, animals, horticultural and others, according to Murphy.

“Although it’s been a subject of considerable scientific and policy debate for decades, things have continued to evolve. The intent of the agency was to address the public health concern while assuring animal’s needs are met,” Murphy said.

A VFD is a written, nonverbal statement issued by a licensed veterinarian in the course of the veterinarian’s professional practice that orders the use of a VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on animal feed. This is a written statement that authorizes the client (owner of the
animal or caretaker) to obtain and use animal feed bearing or containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug to treat the client’s animals only in accordance with the conditions for use approved by the FDA.

In order to meet the January 1, 2017 VFD implementation date set for producers there must be prior cooperation with drug sponsors.

“December 2016 is the target for our drug sponsors to implement changes to use conditions of medically important antibiotics in food and water to withdraw approved production uses such as rate of gain or improved feed efficiency,” Murphy said. “After these label changes, these production uses will no longer be legal.”

While production uses will be no longer, therapeutic uses for the treatment, control and prevention of disease are still available. However, those listed as medically important antibiotics marketing status will be changed from over the counter to prescription or under the VFD. Antibiotics classified as medically important are those that are also for human-use. A complete list of the 292 applications that are affected can be found on the Center for Veterinary Medicine website, according to Murphy.

“Antibiotics that are not medically important to use in humans are not affected. Examples are ionophores, bacitracin, bambermycins and carbadox,” Murphy said. “ As well as other drugs that aren’t antibiotics that are used in feed such as anthelmintic, beta
agonists, non-antibiotic coccidiostats.”

“The VFD is an extension of the label. If it’s not on the label, it’s not legal,” Portillo said.

Strategies for Producers
“Everyone understands oversight, but in my opinion, consultation means to some degree that it’s going to be necessary that the veterinarian have at least a part in the design, execution and monitoring of situations where a VFD is required,” Portillo said.

The veterinary feed directive will be a part of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Portillo said that the VCPR would be a critical point of VFD going forward.

“Before we get into a problem (cattle morbidity and mortality), we need to look at the VCPR as more of a partnership,” Portillo said.

To further explain, the veterinarian has assumed responsibility in the health program of their client’s operation. Knowledge of the client, production facility, production practices, and philosophies will be required. Timely visits to the operation will need to take place in order to maintain a familiarity with the operations.

“One key principle is that the vet doesn’t have to be involved in the administering of the drug, but does require the use to be authorized by a licensed veterinarian in the context of a VCPR,” Murphy said.

Portillo urges producers to establish a VCPR prior to January 1, 2017 if one has not already been established. They also need to think about if they will have feasible access to a veterinarian if a disease outbreak occurs along with access to a feed distributor/manufacturer capable of fulfilling their VFD-related request in a timely manner. He suggests working through a mock VFD exercise as if a disease outbreak was happening on an operation.

“Figure out as much of the logistics as you can before the rule takes effect,” Portillo said.

Understandably, a topic of this nature is impossible to cover completely in one article. If producers need more information on the VFD they are welcomed to go online to the NCBA antibiotic resource page,
which is under the Producer Education tab on www.beefusa.org. As previously cited, the application list and other vital information can be found on the Center for Veterinary Medicine website at http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ucm071807.htm.

I want to recount something that happened to me on a recent flight to Denver. This flight originated in Watertown, South Dakota, with a stop in Pierre. Here is where things became interesting. After an additional 14 people had boarded and a little time elapsed, the captain shut down
the plane’s engines. Now having flown numerous times, not once on any of those flights did the plane’s engines ever shut off. A passenger then said, “must be saving fuel.” I thought to myself, not likely.

After a considerable amount of time, the pilot came on the intercom and told us the computer that runs the GPS system was not working, but not to worry, we will still make the flight to Denver employing Flintstone navigation. For those that don’t remember the Flintstones, and in particular Fred, I now began to worry, because Fred Flintstone had a way of getting lost on almost every adventure he ever took. The pilot’s statement of using landmarks to get to Denver seemed logical, but he forgot one thing that made this seem an impossible accomplishment; that one forgotten thing was the cloud cover. The landmarks that I presumed he was going to use were interstate highways and rivers; both of which could be seen from 30,000 feet. Having flown over this area and driven through it, I know that both landmarks run east to west. When the cloud cover cleared and I looked down, I saw as we flew over one of the rivers that we were in a perpendicular position to the river; course correction occurred. The next landmark was Interstate 80, but this splits off to I-76. Yep, we followed I-80 for a while. Soon realizing the mistake, we altered our course again. This time, we found I-76. Hurray! We’re on the right path to Denver.

Much like a plane’s GPS system is critical to fly the correct course under heavy cloud cover, the annual meeting works to steer the AGA in the correct direction for the success of the AGA membership and customers. Because, in a way, this meeting sets the GPS for the AGA
staff and AGA Board of Directors to pursue the correct course. The committee meetings, the discussion and actions taken are and always have been the guideline for the future of the AGA.

Another critical function of the annual meeting is the election of AGA Board of Directors members. By and thru, this process brings fresh ideas and ways of looking at things. So I encourage everyone to read the board candidate bios, cast your vote in person and vote for the candidates that you feel can best serve, navigate and land the AGA into the future. As the pilot pointed out, following the old way is not the best, because it is a way to get off course.

Did you attend the American Gelbvieh Association National Convention last year held in Kansas City? Did you know that convention attendance and voting at the AGA annual meeting was more than doubled last year compared to the year before? The time is now to become part of the excitement at the AGA, advance your operation and maximize the benefit of your AGA membership.

Everywhere you look, someone is talking about the general election. As a U.S. citizen, you have the right to vote on candidates and ballot initiatives that impact you. As important as that may sound, only 53.6 percent of U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote did so in the 2012 general election. The U.S. only ranks 27th in the world among more developed countries in voting percentage.

Equate the general election to the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA). The parallels include: farmers and ranchers like living in the U.S., they understand that being in the cattle business is a way of life, and know an election outcome does influence their financial wellbeing and can change the value and marketing of their product. So then it would make sense that AGA members would want to participate in the AGA National Convention to help shape the future of the Gelbvieh and Balancer® breed and vote to elect leaders of our association? After all, wouldn’t your one of 1,000 votes as an AGA member more greatly impact your livestock operation than your one of 318 million votes impact your U.S. citizenship? But here’s the bad news, while the participants doubled last year at our national convention compared to the prior year, still only about 12 percent of the AGA membership participated in the annual meeting. As you can see, we still have work to do.

The cattle breed association world is well documented for being difficult to maneuver and unify due to the wide range of size of operations, geographic diversity, goals set by each breeder for their respective operations and the purpose for being an association member. That difficulty is magnified by rapid changes in scientific advancement, weather conditions, and of course, monumental changes in cattle markets. Right now producers are grasping for every dollar available at each stage of the beef supply chain. The services available through the AGA are beneficial for identifying where those dollars can be found.

Perhaps one of the most important convention topics this year will be the presentation of a new strategic plan. Now, more than ever, the AGA has an obligation to the beef industry to provide sound science for
genetic selection, proficient management tools for members and customers as well as marketing avenues and tools, not only for AGA members but also our commercial industry customers. In the future, the AGA also needs to consider potential services for the feeder and packer sector of the industry. Over the past two years, AGA has clearly begun focusing on participating in the beef industry as a contributor of genetic, management and marketing tools at a much higher level. AGA has aligned with industry partners such as National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, CattleFax and RFD TV to broaden AGA’s demographic reach. The AGA has further developed partnerships with video auction companies and traditional sale barns to identify and highlight Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. DNA tools for commercial ranchers, such as the Maternal Edge Female Profile, and herd management capability through $mart Select Service is now available.

The AGA, like most breeds, has made directional changes over the years. Over time leadership in any membership organization can change, which makes it difficult to stay the course. The complete support of the AGA membership will accelerate the speed at which we can grow as a viable source of genetic information and industry service. That support starts with each member participating in events like AGA National Convention. Committee meetings held at convention provide an avenue for members to learn about each segment of the AGA and allows breeders to directly address leadership regarding particular matters like breed improvement, AGA marketing, finance and national events. The annual meeting gives members a voting voice to elect the AGA Board of Directors. The staff has also worked diligently to prepare educational programs and tours relevant to all AGA stakeholders.

Just like exercising your right to vote as a U.S. citizen in the general election, the time is now for you to attend the AGA National Convention. The time is now to solidify your place in the beef industry as a seedstock supplier and shape the future of the AGA.

I cordially invite each of you to attend the 46th Annual AGA National Convention and annual meeting.

Do your cattle sell for the average price? Do you ponder the thought of why some cattle sell for more than other cattle selling on the same day, that are seemingly the same? The better question is, what steps are you taking to ensure your cattle are reaching their full marketable value?

The fundamental value drivers of cattle health, weight, growth, efficiency and carcass value really do not change. However, words like “value-added” have taken on many different appearances over time. Most of us remember the beginning of USDA process verified programs (PVP). The most common PVP was source and age verification that once automatically added dollars to the bottom line. Now that age verification is less of an issue, it is much more common to see documentation of certifications playing a role in the final price of cattle. Those certifications may include: certified all-natural, humane handling, or documented vaccination protocols, which are certainly all common practices developed over recent years. Perhaps, what is more interesting is that fewer producers capitalize on programs that set them apart from the average when
cattle prices are at the highest point. As markets soften, ranchers are more likely to take extra steps to ensure their cattle bring the highest dollar amount possible.

Since prices peaked for the current market cycle back in 2014, ranchers and farmers are continuing to look for new mechanisms for putting distance between their cattle and the market average. What about science and prediction? Perhaps the most beneficial strategies for building prestige for producing the most sought after feeder cattle that demand better than average price or reputable high-level replacement females that garner premiums in the market can be found through genetic selection.

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) can assist producers with tools for management and genetic improvement through Smart Select Service (SSS). Recording the data points is simple and something that most producers already do as routine management practices. Examples of data points that producers need to record to benefit from SSS are individual cow identification numbers and birth dates, from their ranchers can record as much information as is suitable for their own operations.

What predictive information is provided by SSS? Feeder profit index (FPI) is indicative of how feeder cattle will perform in the feedyard. FPI is calculated from EPDs that most producers use in the bull buying process. Cow-calf producers can compare their cattle to the rest of the Gelbvieh and Balancer® population for FPI and make the decision of applying selection pressure for traits like growth, marbling and feed efficiency that directly impact the FPI measured in their cowherd through SSS. The mother cows on your ranch can also achieve a STAY score when enrolled in SSS; that is indicative of cow productivity over time. Applying selection pressure toward STAY EPD and the $Cow index will help increase that STAY score. As you can see, obtaining the ability to measure your cows’ genetic progress may speed the rate of genetic advancement and keep pace with the Gelbvieh and Balancer population, which is steadily improving, indicated in the graphics. Genetic information along with routine management information can all be recorded in $mart Select Service available through AGA.

I think we can all agree that it takes more than one small practice to build the high-quality distinction cattle producers are striving to achieve. A modern beef industry demands sound practices in herd health protocols, historical performance as well as genetic advancement. Why not allow the AGA to assist you, through SSS, in documenting your sound management procedures and genetic progress? If you put into your cowherd the power of information, what you get out of  your cowherd can be the difference between getting lost in  the mass of average cattle and being recognized and paid for supplying the best possible cattle on the market.

Any cattle producer knows that margins are getting increasingly tighter even in the most successful beef operations. Savvy producers are constantly assessing inputs into their business, looking for places to become more efficient. It’s at times like these breeders may ask whether being part of a breed association worth the cost.

Breed associations in the United States formed in the early 1900s as a way to keep track of pedigrees for purebred animals. Since that time, breed associations have evolved to store and process huge amounts of data used for large-scale genetic evaluation on every animal in the database. Such evaluations are beneficial for every sector of the beef industry, as high performing seedstock for economically relevant traits can speed genetic improvement in commercial animals bound for the food supply chain. Economically relevant traits have grown to include not only end-product traits, such as carcass weight or rib eye area but also include traits to measure cowherd efficiency, such as Stayability or Heifer Pregnancy. Such traits are vital to the bottom line of any operation, ensuring the most efficient animals possible remain in production. Efficiency in this way decreases the cost of production by decreasing input cost derived from developing heifers who don’t breed or buying replacements for animals that remain in the herd only a short amount of time. Further efficiency for commercial producers can be found in seedstock evaluations that are comparable across many breeds, such as the International Genetic Solutions multi-breed evaluation. Such evaluations make Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) comparable across breeds such as Gelbvieh and Balancer®, Simmental, Red Angus, and Limousin, making the search for the right bull even easier for commercial producers.

In addition to traditional genetic selection tools like EPDs, breed associations have begun to incorporate huge amounts of genomic data into their evaluations. Such data helps explain more variance for each trait, leading to higher accuracy selection tools for producers. High accuracy genomic-enhanced EPDs benefit commercial producers by reducing risk when it comes to buying young bulls for breeding. Genomic enhancements are often the equivalent of several calving records, making the performance of animals more predictable. Genomic data was traditionally cumbersome to incorporate into genetic evaluation because of the high volume of data. Now, however, large evaluations are moving toward methods to incorporate genomic data all in one step. This so-called “one step” method will revolutionize genetic evaluation by using both genetic and pedigree data at the same time, creating a more accurate evaluation for all animals. Such a transition is possibly the greatest advancement in beef cattle evaluation in over 20 years.

Breed associations are also transitioning to collect more data from the commercial sector. Traditionally, the data flow stopped after animals were sold into the commercial market. Now, however, commercial programs are being developed to collect performance data from the cowherd that can be used to give information on seedstock animal performance. All sectors of the industry can benefit greatly from this type of integration, as more information leads to more accurate selection tools to accelerate genetic improvement. Commercial producers can even add genomic information to their herds through ultra-low density panels that test for useful subsets of genomic data. Having both genetic and performance information all in one place on animals enables commercial producers to pull reports that indicate the performance of each cow and how useful they are to the herd.

With the ever changing markets, some seedstock breeders may be looking for alternatives to breed associations to calculate their selection tools, such as a within-herd evaluation. While such alternatives may seem appealing to some breeders, the argument could be made that such evaluations only increase expense for producers. Breed association evaluations have the benefit of cutting edge technology, input from industry leaders in animal breeding and genetics, constant quality control, and continuous research into novel
economically relevant traits. Very few (if any) within herd evaluations have access to such advancements. If the goal is to provide reliable, easy to use selection tools to the commercial producer for industry-wide genetic advancement, multi-breed association evaluations are an
obvious choice.

So, while some producers might be questioning if it’s worth the cost to be part of a breed association, maybe the real question is: can they afford not to be? More importantly, can our commercial beef industry stakeholders afford to miss out on the valuable genetic
information breed associations provide to maximize efficiency in their operations?