Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

June 18 Introductions Advisor Reports Peter Burfening Farm Bill  NIFA AFRI Programs and Deadlines Personnel Updates Budget Updates Bret Hess Update on David Thawley Hatch Project Formula Funds WERA-1 In 1st Year Reports With Outcomes and Impacts Required Years 3 and 5 All Reports Require Minutes and Publications Reports Due 60 d After Meeting Update on Cooperative Distance Education Program (Enns): Graduate Education Grant / Higher Education Challenge Grant Virginia Tech, Colorado State University, Michigan State University, and Cornell 2  year Program (4 modules / year) No Tuition Charge 15 -20 Institutions with Students in Courses Courses: Introduction to Matrix Algebra (Year 1) Genetic Simulation Game (Year 1) Primer to Quantitative Genetics (Year 1) Design of Animal Breeding Programs (Year 1) Heterosis and Crossbreeding Systems (Year 2) Linear Models (Year 2) Genetic Prediction (Year 2) Marker Assisted and Gene Assisted Selection (Year 2) Use of On-line Testing and Assignments June 19 Introductions Discussion of Group Objectives (Thomas): **M. Thomas will take the lead. 1. DNA Repositories - Update from Universities (Repository Collections): First Priority NMSU, CSU, WSU, UN-Reno, Univ. Arizona, U. Alaska, UW Storage Options: Blood Cards Buffy Coats Tissues (-80C) Ear Notches Resources: Universities Breed Associations 2. Integration of Quantitative and Molecular Research Tools: 50K Data Phenotype Selection / Traits / Data Sharing: Growth Traits GrowSafe Data (CSU, UW) Reproduction Traits Disease Traits 2010 Location Host Possibilities: 1. Palmer, AK 2. Reno, NV Dates: June (mid to late June) Station Report Summaries

Frequencies of DNA polymorphisms differ among Angus, Brangus, and Brahman cattle. Heterozygous genotypes appear advantageous in Bos indicus-influenced composites. DNA polymorphisms in genes of the GH axis or its transcriptional regulators appear to predict growth and or reproductive traits in Brangus bulls and heifers (CAUTION: original studies used single locus associations). SNP discovery efforts in candidate genes (fine mapping) are very productive. dbSNP limited. Identification of haplotype blocks and tag SNP appears to be a much more effective strategy within a pathway/candidate gene approach to MAS. Desert adaptation is measurable. Question is whether it is an effect of genetics and (or) environment (i.e., management, learned behavior, etc&)? Developed and released to the beef industry a new methodology for calculating stayability EPDs that utilizes early-life indicators to improve the accuracy of those EPD. Traditional stayability EPD represent the probability that an animals daughters will remain in the productive herd until 6 years of age. Given this definition sires are at least 8 years old before their daughters ever have an observation for stayability. Using a new methodology we incorporate information on stayability from earlier ages in a females productive life. Developed methods for inferring sires genotypes when DNA from the sires is not available. It will help to carry out Quantitative Trait Loci mapping in range populations. Also arrived to the conclusion that DNA paternity programs can be economically efficient.