
WERA1: Coordinating Beef Cattle Breeding Research and Education Programs for the Western States
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Active
SAES-422 Reports
09/18/2024
12/10/2025
Montana:
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
O’Shea-Stone, G., Tripet, B., Thomson, J., Garrott, R., & Copié, V. (2025). Polar Metabolite Profiles Distinguish Between Early and Severe Sub-Maintenance Nutritional States of Wild Bighorn Sheep. Metabolites, 15(3), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15030154
Abstracts, Proceedings, and Presentations:
Indications of inflammation and cytokine activity in response to rapid fat deposition in beef steers. J. Thomson, N. Schaff, J. Dafoe, D. Boss, J. A. Boles. 8th Annual International Symposium on Energy and Protein Metabolism and Nutrition. Sept 15-18,2025 in Rostock, Germany
Texas:
Student Thesis
Bari, Jannatul. 2025. Investigation of relationships among ultrasound body composition, docility, and calf performance traits in American Brahman cattle. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University College Station. (August)
McClendon, Carter. 2025. Investigation of gestational environmental impacts on individual calf growth and development in Beefmaster cattle. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University College Station. (August)
Porter, Dylan. 2025. Evaluation of calf growth and calving period on cow reproductive performance in Angus females. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University College Station. (December)
Refereed publications
Mendes, EDM, DG Stewart, AD Herring, M Blum, SL Webb, and LO Tedeschi. 2025. GPS precision and data acquisition efficiency of solar-powered collars and tags for beef cattle monitoring. J. Anim. Sci. 103 (Supplement_3): 257-258 (Abstr. 416).
Herring, AD, JO Sanders, CA Gill, PK Riggs, and DR Riley. 2024. Awardee Talk: The role of non-traditional inheritance patterns among Bos indicus-Bos taurus crosses for global beef value chain considerations. J. Anim. Sci. 102 (Supplement_3): 84-85 (Abstr. 50).
2024
Dodd, LT, DP Anderson, DG Riley, and AD Herring. 2024. Economic-impact variability among F1 Nellore–Angus herd sires reared together and used in multiple-sire mating groups
Appl. Anim. Sci. 40:69-79.
Norris-Parish, SL, HR Leggette, T Pesl Murphrey, JA Parrella, A Richburg, and AD Herring. 2024. Beefing up communication skills of upper-level animal science students. Transl. Anim. Sci. 8: txae007.
Munguía Vásquez, MF, CA Gill, PK Riggs, AD Herring, JO Sanders, and DG Riley. 2024.
Genetic evaluation of crossbred Bos indicus cow temperament at parturition.
- Anim. Sci. 102: skae022.
Extension publications:
Kaufman, Phillip, Sonja L. Swiger, and Andy Herring. 2025. New World screwworm fact sheet. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Available: New World screwworm fact sheet - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Hairgrove, Thomas B., Jacob W. Thorne, Ron Gill, Andy D. Herring, Phillip Kaufman, and Sonja L. Swiger. 2025. What to do if you suspect New World screwworm in your herd. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Available: What to Do if You Suspect New World Screwworm in Your Herd - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Hairgrove, Thomas B., Jacob W. Thorne, Ron Gill, Andy D. Herring, Phillip Kaufman, Sonja L. Swiger. 2025. Livestock management considerations for New World screwworm. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Available: Livestock Management Considerations for New World Screwworm - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
Popular press articles
Herring, Andy D. 2025. Contributing interview and content for article “Clear Focus: A look into how genomic data informs progress in commercial herds” to approximately 13,000 readers, October 2025 issue of The Cattleman magazine.
South Dakota:
Journal Publications
Dierking, S.L., J.M. Morton, J.A. Clapper, M.G. Gonda, J.C. Pinilla, and C.L. Levesque. 2024. Changes in vaginal gene expression and anogenital distance during gilt reproductive development. Animal Reproduction 22(1):e20240056.
Kelly, A.M., W.C. Rusche, F.L. Francis, M.G. Gonda, C.L. Wright, and Z.K. Smith. 2024. Dietary management strategies to mitigate decreased feed intake associated with terminal implant administration in finishing beef steers. American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences 19(4): 360-70. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2024.360.370
Keppers, H.A. and M.G. Gonda. 2025. Lethal White Foal Syndrome: A review. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 105: 1-8.
Abstracts
Anema, R.F., J.J. Block, K.C. Olson, K.R. Underwood, R.N. Funston, A.D. Blair, and M.G. Gonda. 2025. Effect of maternal protein restriction in primiparous heifers during mid- or late gestation on progeny gene expression in longissimus dorsi muscle. Plant and Anima Genome Meeting, San Diego, CA.
Olinger, G., Z. Smith, F. Francis, B. Grimes Francis, R. Leeson, M. Gonda, R. L. Weaber, and W. Rusche. 2025. Effect of extended days on feed on growth performance, efficiency, and carcass characteristics of steers and heifers with different proportions of Angus and Limousin genetics. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting, Hollywood, FL.
Viskupič, F., D. Wiltse, M. Gonda, and R. Daly. 2025. Partial spillover of COVID-19 vaccination decisions onto cattle vaccination practices: Evidence from a survey of South Dakota beef producers. Nanovax 2025 Conference, Ames, IA.
Colorado:
Refereed Journal Articles:
Author(s) in order as they appear on the article, Year(s), Title, Journal, Volume, pp.
Gandolfo, I. M., J. D. Derner, R. M. Enns, L. A. Kuehn, M. K. Johnston, S. P. Kearney, S. E. Place, E. J. Raynor, J. P Ritten, A. M. Shadbolt, K. R. Stackhouse-Lawson J. d J. Vargas, and P. H. V. Carvalho. 2025. Steer growth performance and enteric gas flux across backgrounding phases in the Western Great Plains. Rangeland ecology & Management. Vol. 103, Nov. 2025, Pages 247-257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.08.010
Wilson, R.A., B.J. Johnson, J.O. Sarturi, W.L. Crossland, K.E. Hales, R.J. Rathmann, C.L. Bratcher, M.E. Theurer, R.G. Amachawadi, T.G. Nagaraja, S.E. Speidel, R.M. Enns, M.G. Thomas, B.A. Foraker, M.A. Cleveland, and D.R. Woerner. 2024. Identification of blood-based biomarkers for detection of liver abscess in beef x dairy heifers. Applied Animal Science. 40:386-397. https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2023-02504.
Contreras-Mendez, L.A., J.F. Medrano, M.G. Thomas, R.M. Enns, S.E. Speidel, G. Luna-Nevarez, P.A., Lopez-Castro, F. Rivera-Acuna, and P. Luna-Nevarez. 2024. The Anti-Mullerian hormone as endocrine and molecular marker associated with reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows exposed to heat stress. Animals. Vol. 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020213.
Textbooks:
Author(s) in order as they appear on book, Year(s), Title, Publisher, pp.
R.M. Bourdon, R.M. Enns, S.E. Speidel, and M.G. Thomas. 2022 and ongoing. Understanding Animal Breeding. 3rd Edition. Waverly Press, Baltimore, MD.
- Chapter 1: What is the best animal? (Dr. Enns; developed in 2023 with interviews of industry professionals and chapter update completed 2024)
- Chapter 13: Genetic Prediction (primary updating author; finished in 2024).
- Chapter 14: Large-Scale Genetic Evaluation (primary updating author; to be finished in 2024)
- Chapter 16: Genomic Prediction (Contributing author; finished 2024).
- Chapter 20: Mating strategies based on pedigree relationships: Inbreeding and Outbreeding (Contributing author; finished in 2024)
Abstracts (These would have been presented during October 2024 through September 2025)
Autry, P.A., R.M. Enns, I. Kukor, T.N. Holt, M.A. Cleveland, B.P. Holland, A.B. Word, G. Ellis, M. Theurer, and S.E. Speidel. 2025. Mid-finishing pulmonary arterial pressure compared to late-finishing pulmonary arterial pressure as indicators of heart score. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.046.
Enns, R.M., and S.E. Speidel. 2025. Building industry-academic collaborations to use genetic technologies for solving challenges in the beef industry. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.050.
Garcia-Benitez, C., R.I. Luna Ramirez, J.F. Medrano, R.M. Enns, S.E. Speidel, R. Zamorano-Algandar, M.A. Sanchez-Castro, G. Luna-Nevarez, J.C., Leyva-Corona, and P. Luna-Nevarez. Validation of polymorphisms as molecular markers for milk production and thermotolerance in Holstein cows managed in a heat-stressed environment. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.663.
Griffin, M.L., S.E. Speidel, R.M. Enns, S.E. Place, K.R. Stackhouse-Lawson. 2025. Genetic parameters for blood urea nitrogen, methane emissions, and feed intake in Angus beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.045.
Vargas, J.J., M. Swenson, M.R. Werner, S.E. Speidel, R.M. Enns, D. Manriquez, P.H.V. Carvalho, K.R. Stackhouse-Lawson, and S.E. Place. 2025. Determination and classification of growing steers according to residual methane emissions. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.275.
Zuvich, M.L., S.E. Speidel, T.N. Holt, R.M. Enns. 2025. Preliminary analysis of the relationship between heart score and carcass value in Angus cattle. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 103. Supp. 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf300.032.
PAPERS PRESENTED/ SYMPOSIA/ INVITED LECTURES/ PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS/ WORKSHOPS
2025 Building industry-academic collaborations to use genetic technologies for solving challenges in the beef industry. R. M. Enns and S. E. Speidel. Am. Soc. Of An. Sci. Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL. July, 2025
2025 Review of ongoing breeding and genetics research in the CSU Department of Animal Sciences. Young Breeders’ Educational program for American Hereford Association. R. M. Enns and S. E. Speidel. Fort Collins, CO. 9/5/2025
2025 Genetic Improvement for Pulmonary Arterial Pressure. R. M. Enns, S. E. Speidel, and T. Holt. 2025 PAP Summit. Fort Collins, CO. 89/15/2025
2024 Genetic Improvement in pulmonary hypertension (High Mountain Disease)/. R. M. Enns, T. Holt, S. E. Speidel, and M. G. Thomas. Chuquibambilla, Peru to Professors and Veterinary Students. 12/11/2024.
2024 Genetic Improvement in pulmonary hypertension (High Mountain Disease)/. R. M. Enns, T. Holt, S. E. Speidel, and M. G. Thomas. Ayaviri Technical Institute, Peru to Professors and Veterinary Students. 12/12/2024.
2024 Genetic Improvement in pulmonary hypertension (High Mountain Disease)/. R. M. Enns, T. Holt, S. E. Speidel, and M. G. Thomas. Puno University, Peru to Professors and Veterinary Students. 12/13/2024.