Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The meeting was held at Washington State University, Department of Animal Sciences, Pullman, Washington, June 14-15, 2012 Thursday, 14 June 2012 8:30- 8:45 Introductions and welcome to Washington State University Department of Animal Sciences, Holly Neibergs and Margaret Benson, Chair of Department of Animal Sciences 8:45-10:30 Bret Hess, AES report and NIFA updates 10:30-10:45 Break 10:45-12:00 Matt Cronin, University of Alaska Station Report Summary (attached) 12:00-1:30 Lunch 1:30-3:00 Discussion of group objectives and planning for next years meeting Proposed to hold next years meeting at TAMU in mid-May with Dr. Andy Herring coordinating Discussed continued integration of quantitative and molecular tools, DNA repositories, data sharing Group Objectives and 2011-2012 accomplishments, outputs, outcomes, and upcoming renewal of the WERA01 project were discussed. 3:00-6:00 We executed tours of the Washington State University Bear, Beef, Dairy, Swine and Meats Facilities 7:00-9:00 Dinner meeting, general discussion. Wednesday, 15 June 2012 8:30-12:00 Station reports (attached), continued 1. Kristi Cammack, University of Wyoming 2. Mark Enns, Colorado State University 3. Holly Neibergs, Washington State University 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:00-2:00 Conclusion of old business 2:00-3:00 Tour of University of Idaho Sheep Center with Dr. Tracy Davis, University of Idaho 3:00 Adjourn

University of Alaska Fairbanks, M. Cronin Outputs: 1. Two publications. 2. Abstract presented at the Plant and Animal Genome 2012 meeting that compared sequences of polar bear and brown bear in collaboration with cattle geneticists for comparative genomics and phylogenetics. Outcomes: I established collaborations and exchanged knowledge between livestock geneticists and me as a member of WERA01 and as a visiting researcher at the USDA ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Lab, Miles City, MT. I am getting knowledge from cattle geneticists on lab and data analysis methods, and they are getting comparative genetics perspectives from wildlife (bison and bears). Future Plans: 1. Continue comparative genetics of the bear, wolf, and bison.. 2. Other species under consideration include assessment of marine mammal (sea lion, sea otter, seal, and whales), flying squirrels, and sage grouse population genetics. 3. Relate cattle genetics to wildlife genetics and how it relates to endangered species issues. University of Wyoming, Kristi Cammack Outputs 1. Eight Peer-reviewed Publications. 2. Fifteen abstract and/or proceedings. 3. Collected, extracted DNA, and stored samples from >400 rams on the University of Wyoming Ram Tests. DNA samples have been genotyped using the Ovine SNP50 chip in collaboration with AgResearch of New Zealand, and tested for SNPs associated with various performance traits. Results will be used for comparative analysis with beef cattle SNP data. 4. Large-scale gene expression data on steers administered high-sulfate water. Data was generated using RNA-Seq in collaboration with the University of Missouri. 5. Large-scale gene expression data on steers administered high-sulfate water. Data was generated using a microarray platform; differentially expressed genes of interest were confirmed via real-time RT-PCR. Outcomes: 1. Increased knowledge on phenotypic and genetic variation of feed efficiency measures. 2. Generation of preliminary SNPs associated with feed efficiency measures in ruminants. 3. Increased understanding of biological mechanisms regulating the response to high dietary sulfur in ruminants. Current Funding: 1. Improving Profitability and Sustainability of Sheep Production. USDA-NIFA. 2. Microbial Ecology Associated with Improved Feed Efficiency. University of Wyoming AES Program. 3. Opportunities for Education and Research Enhancements through Partnerships with New Zealand. USDA-NRI. 4. Residual Feed Intake  Producer Adoption and Genetic Selection Potential. Western SARE. Colorado State University, Mark Enns Accomplishments: 1. Served as genetic evaluation service and research for over 15 beef cattle breed associations and producer groups. 2. Served as a coordinator and instructor for online genetic courses. 3. Completed gene network analyses of first-service conception in Brangus heifers Outputs: 1. Seventeen peer-reviewed publications. Future Plans: 1. Merge three sources of genomic information for development of improved selection tools for heifer and cow fertility. a. GWAS b. RNA-Seq c. Proteome 2. Develop genomic and phenotypic information associated with high mountain disease with expected outcome of improved selection tools. 3. Continue to develop online education program in breeding and genetics. 4. Continue to amass feed intake and genotypic data for pooling with other regional centers for development of genetic improvement programs. Washington State University, Holly Neibergs Accomplishments: 1. Serve as the repository for the collection, DNA extraction and storage of 2033 Holstein calf samples (cases/controls) from California and 795 Holstein heifer calf samples from New Mexico as part of the BRD consortium. All of these samples have diagnostic testing for Histophilus somni, Pasturella multicoda, Mannheimia haemolytica, Mycoplasm spp, Arcanobacterium pyrogenes, bovine corona virus, bovine respiratory synctial virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and interstitial bovine respiratory virus completed. 2. High density genotyping and GWAS of 2000 Holstein calves from California has been done. Loci identified as associated with BRD; confirmation of previous results. 3. SNPs at conserved regions at the locus associated with tissue infection of Johnes disease investigated. Two functional mutations identified. Outputs: outcomes 1. Increased knowledge on causal mutation for Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis tissue infection. a. Collection of 500 additional tissue samples from cull dairy cows in California and Idaho for verification of initial association and causal mutation results. b. EMSA differences in transcription binding sites; identification of proteins binding to these sites is ongoing. c. MicroRNA site investigation is negative. 2. Preliminary study identified loci associated with fertility. 3. Seven peer-reviewed publications. 4. One non peer-reviewed publication. 5. Nine abstracts. 6. Two manuscripts are in review and two are in preparation. Activities: 1. Cattle/sheep workshop organizer and chair for 2012 Plant and Animal Genome meeting 2. Presentations for Beef 300 to cattle producers 3. Experiential labs for middle school science class 4. Chair animal health session at 2012 American Society Animal Science meeting 5. Chair 2012 Western Section ASAS graduate student research competition Milestones: 1. Completed collection of biological samples, phenotypes and genotypes for California BRD population. Current Federal Funding: National Program for Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. US Department of Agriculture. P.I. J.F. Taylor and Co-PIs: H.L. Neibergs, C. Seabury, D. Faulkner, D. Loy, D. Pomp, D. Shike, D. Garrick, H. Freetly, J. Pollak, J. Beever, M.S. Kerley, K. A. Johnson, M. Spangler, R. Tair, R. D. Schnabel, S. C. Fahrenkrug, S. Hansen, T. Sonstegard, R. Weaber (4/11-3/16). Integrated Program for Reducing Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex in Beef and Dairy Cattle. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. US Department of Agriculture. P.I.: J.E. Womack and Co-PIs: H.L. Neibergs, J.F. Taylor, C. Seabury, S. Dindot, N.D. Cohen, A. Dabney, A. Van Eenennaam, C. Van Tassell, L. Gershwin, L Falconer, L. Skow, J.S. Neibergs, M. Enns, M. Thomas, R. Hagevoort, S. Aly, T. Lehenbauer, T. Ross (4/11-3/16). Systems Biology Approach to Understanding Endometrial Receptivity and Pregnancy Loss. National Institutes of Health. P.I.: T.E. Spencer and Co-PIs: H.L. Neibergs, T. Geary. (7/12-6/17). Other Current Funding: Identification of Cattle Infected with and Susceptible to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) through Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissues. Anonymous donor. PI: H.L. Neibergs, Co-PI: A. Allen (1/12-1/13). Pending Grants: PREPARE: Mitigation and Resilience in the Face of Climate Variability. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. US Department of Agriculture. PI: K.A. Johnson and Co-PIs: H.L. Neibergs, D. Meyer, J. Bowman, R. Endicott, P. Hatfield, J. Paterson, C. Marlow, A. Ganguli, C. Mueller, T. Delcurto, D. Bohnert, R. Cooke, G. Carstens, H. Johnson Rossow, N. Silva-del-Rio, C. Hunt, K. Launchbaugh, L. Vierling, J. Taylor, E. Salathe, J. Adam, M. Brady, S. Brown, J. Harrison, B. Lamb, T. Norton, D. Shinew, P. Tozer. (1/13-12/17). Improving Fertility of Dairy Cattle using Translational Genomics. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. US Department of Agriculture. PI: T.E. Spencer and Co-PIs: H.L. Neibergs, J.B. Cole, J.C. Dalton, A. J. De Vries, P.J. Hansen, D.A. Moore. (1/13-12/17). UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA V BAR V RANCH, David W. Shafer CURRENT BEEF CATTLE PROJECTS: Evaluation of composite and/or purebred cow productivity and profitability under stressful environmental conditions and subsequent progeny performance in the feedlot. D.W. Schafer and J.A. Marchello. Remote monitoring of individual animal mineral supplement intake by range cattle. T Dal Molin*1, D Tolleson1, J Sprinkle1, M Sprinkle2, D Schafer1, B McMurray3; University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA1, Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, OR, USA2, Cargill Animal Nutrition, Elk River, MN, USA3. Reproductive performance of beef heifers supplemented with StrataG or EnergII compared to heifers fed an isocaloric diet with no bypass fat source. Dr. Nathan M. Long and Dr. David W. Schafer. Detection of pregnancy in Arizona range cattle using near infrared spectroscopy of feces. D. R. Tolleson*, D. W. Schafer; University of Arizona, V Bar V Ranch, Rimrock, Arizona, USA. OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES: Provide producers with information on beef cattle performance from conception to consumption of selected purebreds and/or composites. Provide educational materials and conduct workshops for students, ranchers and the general public.