Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the S-1013 technical committee was held on May 31 - June 3, 2009 at the meeting facility of the Comfort Suites, New Iberia, LA. Dr. Wayne Wyatt opened the meeting at 7:30 a.m. on June 1 with a discussion of how the various studies contributing to Objective 2 might be combined for a joint publication. Published and/or released (by author) data (analyzed within study) were categorized for joint publication, i.e., 1) calf birth through weaning data, 2) feedlot through slaughter data, and 3) cow (maternal effects) data. The initial publication would focus on the calf through weaning information. Dr. Fred Thrift volunteered to serve as the coordinator of the initial publication and requested that data (analyzed within study) be sent to him by July 1. Dr. Thrift committed to producing a draft for review by mid-September. Dr. Jim Sanders indicated that he would assist with the cow data publication, but that the study conducted by Drs. Don Franke and Larry Cundiff would be published separately. The meeting was officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Wayne Wyatt welcomed everyone to Louisiana and introduced Dr. David Boethel, Vice Chancellor and Director, Louisiana Agriculture Experiment Station, LSU AgCenter who presented an overview of the LAES and the LSU AgCenter. Mr. Tom Hymel, Environmental Specialist, and Mr. Andrew Granger, County Agent, Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, LSU AgCenter presented reports on the impact of hurricanes on agriculture in the region. After an introduction of the committee members, Dr. Wayne Wyatt announced the members of the Resolutions Committee (Drs. Hayden Brown, Gary Hansen and Trent Smith) and the Nominating Committee (Drs. Bob Godfrey, Andy Herring and Sid DeRouen). Dr. David Morrison expressed thanks to Dr. Andy Herring for coordinating the task of writing the new project (SDC334). He also provided information from the reviews of the new project and informed us how to go about responding to the reviews (rebut or make changes). Each objective coordinator for the new project was given the task of responding to the review comments and presenting the revisions to the group for discussion and approval. The objective revisions (SDC334) were coordinated by the following people: Objective 1b  Herring; Objective 1c - Godfrey; Objective 2  Riley; Objective 3  Smith and Hansen; Objective 4  Godfrey, Vann and Smith. Lunch was provided in the meeting facility, after which the group traveled to the LSU AgCenters Iberia Research Station in Jeanerette, LA. Dr. Sonny Viator and Dr. Guillermo Scaglia spoke to the group about their ongoing research projects. Dinner that evening was a steak supper, with steaks provided by Mr. George Chapman, Bonsmara Natural Beef Company, Amarillo, TX. Mr. Charles Broussard gave a presentation describing his familys efforts to bring French Charolais cattle to Louisiana. On June 2, 2008, the group met at the meeting facility of the Comfort Suites at 7:30 a.m to discuss Objective 3. Dr. Hayden Brown led the discussion and requested the fecal egg count and chute score data be sent to him in a format he provided. Dr. Brown agreed to send a sample of the data format out to all participants in the objective. Exit velocities, pen scores and weights will be analyzed by individual stations or in sub-groups where appropriate. Dr. Brown requested the data be sent to him by July 15, 2009. Dr. Pete Burfening presented information on the changes that will be taking place within CSREES. The name will be changed to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture on Oct 1, 2009. There were no major changes, up or down, in the budget. He pointed out that articles on the animal genome appeared in an issue of Science, which is quite prestigious. Discussion on Objective 3 (SDC334) was led by Drs. Trent Smith and Gary Hansen. Dr Charles Long supported collecting the DNA and establishing a bank of this material for future use and emphasized how important this would be. It was agreed the wording of the objective needed to be changed to reflect the activity and the methods will be changed to include more specificity of procedures. Dr. Mike Brown mentioned that we may be able to coordinate with the National Animal Germplasm Program in Ft. Collins, CO to house the DNA bank, and he would pursue this option and report back to the committee. It was agreed that the revisions of the objectives need to be submitted to Dr. Andy Herring by June 15. He would in turn incorporate the changes into the document and forward the revised proposal to the Multistate Research Committee by July 1. Revisions to Objective 1b (SDC334) were presented by Dr. Andy Herring and revisions to Objective 1c (SDC334) and Objective 4 (SDC334) were presented by Dr. Godfrey. The revisions were approved by the committee. Lunch was provided in the meeting facility, after which the group traveled to a marsh cattle operation, managed by Mr. Malcolm Leleux, near Avery Island, followed by a visit to the D Bar Ranch, owned by Mr. Sam Duplatis, in Erath, Louisiana. Dinner that evening was at Shucks in Abbeville. On June 3, 2008, the group met at the meeting facility of the Comfort Suites at 8:00 a.m to discuss the new project documentation. Dr. David Morrison went over a check list of items that needed to be addressed in the proposal. A copy of this list will be provided to Dr. Andy Herring to help with the coordination of the writing and revisions. The revisions to Objective 3 (SDC334) were presented by Drs. Gary Hansen and Trent Smith. The wording of the objective was changed as well as the justification to indicate that the intent was to establish and catalogue a DNA bank for future use. Details were provided on the methods to be used for collecting and storing samples. Dr. David Riley led the discussion of the revisions to Objective 2 (SDC334). The discussion centered on participation with the Meat Animal Research Center in developing a GPE type of germplasm evaluation project in the southern region. Because the stations could not commit to that type of long term breeding program, it was decided to accept the revisions that Dr Riley had made to the objective and proceed with the project. It was decided that committee members could collaborate with MARC where feasible and possible, external to the new project. During the business meeting Dr. David Morrison thanked the committee for all of their work on the current project and the new project proposal. He expressed appreciation to Dr. Andy Herring for coordinating the writing of the new project. The nominating committee (Drs. Bob Godfrey, Andy Herring and Sid DeRouen) made the following nominations: Dr. Andy Herring (chair), Dr. Bob Godfrey (chair elect) and Dr. Trent Smith (secretary). The nominated individuals were elected by unanimous vote. The resolution committee (Drs. Gary Hansen, Trent Smith and Hayden Brown) submitted their report (see Appendix C). The resolutions were approved by unanimous vote. Dr. Wayne Wyatt initiated discussion of the location for next years meeting. Dr. Jim Sanders invited the group to meet in Texas in 2010, with the specific location to be determined. Options included Waco and the McGregor Station, a trip to Overton, or College Station. The group accepted the offer. Dr. Bob Godfrey invited the group to St. Croix, V.I. for the 2011 meeting. The group readily accepted this offer. The meeting was adjourned by Dr. Wayne Wyatt at 11:30 a.m., June 3, 2009. Meeting minutes are respectfully submitted by Dr. Bob Godfrey, secretary.

Objective 1: Determine heterosis effects in crosses representing two or more diverse, tropically adapted beef breeds. Florida USDA/ARS, STARS - Estimates of heterosis for Romosinuano-Brahman in most traits were almost as high as that for Brahman-Angus. Estimates of heterosis for Romosinuano-Angus were similar to those for other Bos taurus crosses. Objective 2: Characterize diverse, tropically adapted beef breeds in subtropical and temperate areas of the United States. Florida USDA/ARS, STARS - The direct breed effect of Romosinuano was to improve exit velocity, chute temperament score, and pen temperament scores in weaned calves and in heifers in a development program. Brahman direct breed effects were opposite. Central Station, LSU Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska - Comparisons of Bos indicus F1 tropically adapted cows to non-Bos taurus F1 tropically adapted cows were made in Nebraska and in Louisiana over a five year period. Additionally, Brahman (Bos indicus) F1 cows were compared to other tropically adapted cows in Louisiana. For data from both locations and cows three years old and older, sire breed of cow significantly influenced variation in percent unassisted calving, calf ADG, and calf 205-d weaning weight. Bonsmara F1 cows required more assistance at calving than other cow breed types. Calves nursing Romosinuano F1 cows had lower ADG and calf 205-d weaning weight than calves nursing Brangus, Beefmaster or Bonsmara F1 cows. Brangus, Beefmaster, Bonsmara, and Romosinuano F1 cows producing in Louisiana had calves with lower birth weights, lower ADG, lower 205-d weaning weights and lower 200-d weaning weight per cow exposed than calves nursing cows in Nebraska. The sire breed of cow x location interaction significantly influenced calf ADG and 205-d weaning weight. The interaction was due more to differences in magnitude than changes in rank across locations. For cows in Louisiana, Brahman F1 cows nursed calves that gained about 0.3 lb/d more than calves nursing Brangus, Beefmaster, Bonsmara, and Romosinuano F1 cows whereas all cows three years and older had similar weaning rates in Louisiana. ARS-Oklahoma - Calves from Brangus cows and Charolais and Gelbvieh sires tended to be heavier at 205 d of age than calves from other sire breeds on improved forages while on native forages, Bonsmara-, Charolais-, and Gelbvieh-sired calves were similar but were heavier than Brangus- and Romosinuano-sired calves. Postweaning analyses for stocker performance for both stocker and drylot management have indicated that calves from Brangus cows and Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Hereford sires were highest in ADG, Brangus-sired calves intermediate, and Bonsmara- and Romosinuano-sired calves lowest. Cows sired by Bonsmara, Brangus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, and Hereford sires were similar in 24-hour milk yield, although there was a trend for Hereford-sired cows to be lesser in milk yield. Texas A&M University / Texas Agricultural Experiment Station - Of the cows born in 1992 and 1993 and sired by Tuli, Boran and Brahman bulls, productivity has been highest in the Boran cross cows. Although they have also had higher calf crop born than the Brahman and Tuli crosses, much of their advantage in calf crop weaned has been due to higher survival rates in their calves. Objective 3: Determine genetic variation in disposition and parasite resistance in beef cattle and their association with economically important traits. Department of Animal Science/ Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station - Prolactin genotype was related (P < 0.05) to strongyle egg counts at weaning (355 vs 149, and 167 eggs per gram; respectively for CC, CT, and TT). Prolactin genotype was not related to other traits at weaning; however, at d 156, chute score and strongyle egg counts were related to genotype. The CC calves were calmer (P < 0.1) than others (0.66 vs 1.4, and 1.8 chute score). In addition, CC calves had higher (P < 0.05) strongyle egg counts at d 156 when compared with other calves (34 vs 13, and 14 eggs per gram). Florida USDA/ARS, STARS - No relationships were detected for any temperament trait measured at weaning or monthly thereafter (heifers) with heifer age or size at first calving. University of Kentucky/ Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station - A cooperator-owned purebred Angus herd consisting of 300 spring-calving cows was utilized to assess the relationship between temperament and preweaning calf performance. These results indicate weaning weights were similar for calves classified according to the five temperament scores. Also, temperament scores were similar for bull and heifer calves. These results indicate that differences in temperament can be assessed at weaning; however, preweaning productivity did not differ for the temperament classifications. LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, Homer, and Jeanerette - Sufficient genetic variation exist in fecal egg count, hair luster and length scores, and postweaning ADG in Angus and Brahman-influenced (Brangus and Braford) heifers for selection for or against these traits to be effective. Temperament, as measured by chute temperament score and exit velocity, in cattle is subject to a level of genetic control (moderate heritability estimates) and selection against ill temperament should be effective in Angus and Brahman-influenced heifers. Also, there appears to be a genetic antagonism (negative genetic correlations) between these measures of temperament and heifer postweaning growth, such that selection against ill temperament should result in improved postweaning ADG in heifers. Phenotypic correlations among chute temperament score and exit velocity with postweaning gain were, in general, negative. Phenotypic correlations among weaning and summer chute exit velocities with pregnancy rate were negative. Heifers classified as slow, medium, and fast based on mean chute exit velocity did not differ (P > 0.14) for postweaning gain or pregnancy rate. MAFES, Brown Loam Experiment Station, Raymond, MS - Over the past four years temperament assessments have been done on spring born calves for subjective temperament measurements (pen and chute scores) as well as objective temperament measures (exit velocity). In addition, over the last two years we have been evaluating an overall temperament score by combining the pen score and the exit velocity (PS + EV/2) to assign an overall temperament score to an individual. This combined score seems to do a good job of assessing temperament of an animal. Calf temperament scores from pre-weaning through 56 days post weaning are very repeatable measurements. Thus these measurements can be done at weaning and provide an accurate indication of the lifetime temperament of that animal. In addition, animals that are routinely worked through a cattle facility will become accustomed to human interaction and their overall temperament scores will decline some from weaning through yearling. Current results with individual sire effects on exit velocity and other temperament evaluations, indicates that selection for temperament within a cow herd, as well as sire selection would improve temperament in calves produced ultimately resulting in greater production efficiency. Thus these temperament assessment measurements can be done at weaning and provide an accurate indication of the lifetime temperament of that animal. Texas A&M University / Texas Agricultural Experiment Station - The genomics project is well under way, and the variability in disposition both within and between families indicates that the search for genes with major effects on disposition should be successful. Correlations between disposition in first calf heifers and the heifers own disposition shortly after weaning and at the time of her second calf are positive, significant, and moderate (0.34 and 0.53, respectively). University of the Virgin Islands, Agricultural Experiment Station - Based on these results it appears that temperament of Senepol calves does not change drastically over time after weaning, and has only a moderate relationship to weight as yearlings. The distribution of temperament scores was skewed towards the mild end of the scale with the majority of calves having a score of 2 or less at all time points. Objective 4: Establish a DNA bank to utilize molecular markers to validate traits of economic importance. Texas A&M University College Station/McGregor - All cattle at the McGregor Station were bled for DNA extraction in the fall 2001; this includes all the cattle used in Objective 2 of this regional project. In 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, all calves at the station were bled prior to weaning. The blood is stored as white blood cell pellets in College Station. For the cattle in the McGregor Genomics Project, calves for all nine calf crops (spring and fall of 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and spring of 2007) were bled both at birth and shortly before weaning (5 and 200 cc collections, respectively). Florida USDA/ARS, STARS - Since the beginning of this project, DNA was stored as white blood cells (n = 1,586) or using FTA cards (n = 926) for all bulls and cows, including Angus, Brahman, and Romosinuano purebreds, and F1 cows of all combinations of breeds, and each year for all weaned calves, which in addition to F1s and purebreds, also includes 3-breed crosses (50%-25%-25%) of all possible combinations of these breeds.

Bidner, T.D., P.E. Humes, W.E. Wyatt, D.E. Franke, M.A. Persica III, G.T. Gentry, and D.E. Blouin. 2009. Influence of Angus and Belgian Blue bulls mated to Hereford x Brahman cows on growth, carcass traits and longissimus steak shear force. J. Anim. Sci. 87:1167-1173. Brown, M. A., X. Z. Wang, F. Q. Gao, J. P. Wu and D. L. Lalman. 2008. Postweaning gains in calves sired by six sire breeds evaluated on two preweaning forages and two postweaning management systems. Prof. Anim. Sci. (Accepted 3/5/2008). Brown, M. A., X. Z. Wang, F. Q. Gao, J. P. Wu, and D. L. Lalman, 2008. Postweaning gains in calves sired by six sire breeds evaluated on two postweaning management systems. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 1. Caldwell, L. C., Chase, C. C., Jr., Riley, D. G., Coleman, S. W., Phillips, W. A., Welsh, T. H., Jr. and Randel, R. D. 2009. Influence of tropical adaptation on plasma insulin-like growth factor-I and residual feed intake in purebred and crossbred beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (Suppl. 2): 20. Chase, C. C., Waters, L. J., Davis, J. R., Riley, D. G., Coleman, S. W., Carroll, J. A. and Olson, T. A. 2009. Effect of shade on summer body temperature and respiration rate of Angus, Brahman, and Romosinuano heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (Suppl. 2): 1. Coleman, S. W., Phillips, W. A., Riley, D. G. and Chase, C. C. 2009. Post-weaning growth of tropically-adapted purebred and crossbred calves when finished in a temperate climate. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (Suppl. 2): 2. Cooper, A.J., J.O. Sanders, A.D. Herring, C.A. Gill, D.K. Lunt, and J.E. Sawyer. 2009. Evaluation of birth weight, weaning weight, and gestation length in Bos indicus/Bos taurus cross calves. American Society of Anim. Sci., Southern Section Abstracts. Cunningham, S. F., A.H. Maiga, K.L. Key, A.E. Ducoing, J.O. Sanders, A.D. Herring, and D. K. Lunt. 2008. Evaluation of F1 cows sired by Brahman, Boran, and Tuli for reproductive and maternal performance and cow longevity. 2007 Beef Cattle Research in Texas. Pp 23-26. DeRouen, Sid, Don Franke and Wayne Wyatt. 2009. Louisiana Cattlemen Associations Convention: Tour of Beef Cattle Research at Central Research Station (Temperament of Replacement Heifers). January 10, 2009. Elzo, M. A., Riley, D. G., Hansen, G. R., Johnson, D. D., Myer, R. O., Rae, D. O., Wasdin, J. G. and Driver, J. D. 2008. Effect of breed composition, temperament, and ELISA scores for paratuberculosis on phenotypic residual feed intake and growth in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 204. Elzo, M. A., Riley, D. G., Hansen, G. R., Johnson, D. D., Myer, R. O., Rae, D. O., Wasdin, J. G. and Driver, J. D. 2008. Association between breed composition, phenotypic residual feed intake, temperament, ELISA scores for paratuberculosis, and ultrasound carcass traits in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 204. Elzo, M. A., Riley, D. G., Hansen, G. R., Johnson, D. D., Myer, R. O., Rae, D. O., Wasdin, J. G. and Driver, J. D. 2008. Relationship between carcass traits and phenotypic residual feed intake, breed composition, temperament, and ELISA scores for paratuburculosis in an Angus-Brahman multibreed herd. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 205. Franke, D.E, T.D. Bidner, M.G. Thomas, and B.W. Woodward. 2008. Genetic markers in the leptin gene and association with carcass traits. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (E-Suppl. 3): 2(Abstr.). Franke, D. E. 2008. Research with Beefmaster Cattle. United Beefmaster Breeders Annual Meeting, December. Shrevport LA. Franke, D. E., T. D. Bidner, M. A. Persica III, and M. C. Canal. 2009. Polymorphism in E2FB, UASMS1, UASMS2, A1457G, and C963T genetic markers at the leptin locus in Brahman steers and their association with carcass traits. 2009 LSU AgCenter Beef and Forage Research Report. 35:(in press). Franke, D. E. and M. C. Canal. 2009. A comparision of tropically adapted F1 cows for fertility, maternal ability, and size. 2009 LSU AgCenter Beef and Forage Research Report. 35:(in press). Franke, D. E. and T. D. Bidner. 2009. Thyroglobulin, calpastatin, and calpain genetic markers in Brahman steers and their association with carcass and tenderness traits. 2009 LSU AgCenter Beef and Forage Research Report. 35:(in press). Franke, D. E. 2009. Louisiana Beef Cattlemen Association Annual Meeting Tour of Beef Cattle Research Unit (A comparison of tropically adapted F1 beef cattle breeds and the influence of parasite fecal egg count and temperament in beef heifers on growth and first exposure fertility). January. Funkhouser, R.R. 2008. Evaluation of disposition scores in Bos indicus/Bos taurus cross calves at different stages of production. M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M Univ., College Station. Funkhouser, R.R., J.O. Sanders, A.D. Herring, C.A. Gill, D.K. Lunt, and J.E. Sawyer. 2008. Evaluation of disposition scores in Bos indicus/Bos taurus cross calves at weaning. American Society of Ani. Sci., Southern Section Abstracts. Gao, F. Q., M. A. Brown, X. Z. Wang, P. J. Starks, and J. P. Wu. 2008. Estimation of bermudagrass forage intake from canopy spectral absorbance measurements using hyperspectral radiometry. Proc. XXI Int. Grass. Congr. Vol. 1: 497. Godfrey, R. W. and R. C. Ketring. 2008. Relationship between temperament and chute exit velocity of Senepol calves after weaning. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2):328. Murphy, K., S. Reiter, M. Brown, R. Okimoto, H. Brown, Jr., and C. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Identification of genomic polymorphisms in upstream elements of the bovine CYP3A28 gene. . Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 36. Nabhan, I., M. Lamb, S. Reiter, R. Okimoto, M. Brown, H. Brown, Jr., and C. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Relationships among bovine heat shock protein 70 genotype, forage type, and plasma concentrations of HSP-70. J. Anim. Sci. 86 (Suppl. 1): 3. Rayfield, A. B., A. H. Brown, Jr., Z. B. Johnson, J. G. Powell, J. L. Reynolds, S. T. Reiter, M. L. Looper, C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2009. Relationships between prolactin promoter polymorphisms and Angus calf temperament scores and fecal egg counts. J. of Anim. Sci. 87 (Suppl.). Riley, D. G., Chase, C. C., Coleman, S. W. and Olson, T. A. 2009. Breed effects and heterosis for rectal temperature and coat score in Brahman, Angus, and Romosinuano pure and crossbred calves. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (Suppl. 2): 1. Peng, Yun Shou, Jian Ping Wu, Li Xin Wei, M. A. Brown, Ji Ling Wu, and Duo Zeng Sanbei. 2008. Fatty acid profile in milk fat from Qinghai Plateau yak at different altitudes and parities. Prof. Anim. Sci. (Accepted 4/28/2008). Sanders, J.O. 2008. McGregor Genomics: Background and Procedures. Proceedings of the 54th Annual Beef Cattle Short Course. Pp N7  N-17. Smith, T., M.G. Thomas, T.D. Bidner, J.C. Paschal, and D.E. Franke. 2009. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in Brahman steers and their association with carcass and tenderness traits. Genet. Mol. Res. 8:39-46. Wang, X. Z*., M. A. Brown, F. Q. Gao, W. J. Liu, and J. P. Wu. 2008. Relationships of milk production of beef cows to postweaning gain of their calves. Proc. XXI Int. Grass. Cong. Vol. 2: 139. Wang, X. Z., M. A. Brown, F. Q. Gao, J. P. Wu , D. L. Lalman and W. J. Liu. 2009. Relationships of milk production of beef cows to postweaning gain of their calves. Prof. Anim. Sci. 25: (Accepted March 30, 2009). Wyatt, W. E., D. E. Franke, J. E. Miller, and D. C. Blouin. 2009. Genetic effects on liveweight gain, hair coat score, temperament, and parasite resistance traits in Angus and Brahman influenced replacement heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 87 (E-Suppl. 1):2 (Abstr.). Wyatt, Wayne, Don Franke, Sid DeRouen, Jim Miller, and David Blouin. 2009. Breed and genetic effects on internal parasitism, hair coat scores, and postweaning liveweight gains in Angus and Brahman-influenced replacement heifers. 2009 LSU AgCenter Beef and Forage Research Report. 35: 13-16. Wyatt, Wayne, Don Franke, Sid DeRouen, Jim Miller, and David Blouin. 2009. Breed and genetic effects of temperament traits and postweaning liveweight gains in Angus and Brahman-influenced replacement heifers. 2009 LSU AgCenter Beef and Forage Research Report. 35: 17-20.