Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The annual meeting was held at the USDA ARS Livestock and Range Research Laboratory at Fort Keogh in Miles City Montana.  Individual station reports were provided by those in attendance. Opportunities for identifying other contributing stations were discussed.

Those in attendance expressed that the history of animal breeding research at Ft. Keogh was interesting and that the line breeding program Line 1 was an important resource.  This exposure provided discussion of potential collaborations with the USDA in the future. The complete meeting minutes are provided below.

As an aid to evaluate this report, our project objectives are provided:

1. Develop, disseminate, and maintain resources on the genetics of beef cattle and comparative genetics among cattle breeds and other species (e.g, sheep, wildlife) to support outreach, extension, and education activities.
2. Maintain animal populations, DNA and RNA repositories, and performance and health databases to support beef cattle phenomics research.
3. Integrate quantitative and molecular research tools that contribute to the understanding of genetic associations among economically important traits and their indicators.
4. Exchange information, discuss research results, plan new research, examine new developments, discuss future problems, plan cooperative research and share ideas for interdisciplinary involvement in beef cattle breeding.

The WERA-001 meeting was called to order on May 19, 2015 by Dr. Jennifer Thomson at the USDA ARS Livestock and Range Research Laboratory at Fort Keogh in Miles City Montana.  Dr. Thomson asked all participants to introduce themselves to the group then invited everyone to partake in breakfast.  Dr. Thomson introduced Dr. Mark Petersen, Research Director at USDA ARS Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, who gave the official welcome to Montana and to Ft. Keogh.  Dr. Petersen provided an overview of the facility and it’s history.

Dr. Matt Cronin discussed work related to polar bears and the impact of climate change assesments indicating that bears have previously survived periods with little or no sea ice which challenges the model that the lack of summer sea ice will cause extinction. Dr. Cronin also discussed the taxonomy of wolves and sub species classifications and the ramifications under the endangered species act. In addition, the potential of obtaining animals or germplasm from the Chirikof Island cattle was discussed. Additional discussion on endangered species management as well as wildlife issues with import to livestock production were discussed including sage grouse and bison issues.

Dr. Andy Herring, TAMU, reported results from research evaluating killed versus modified-live BRD vaccine and subsequent gain, rectal temperature, and feed intake vaccinated calves and non-vaccinated controls.

Dr. Lauren Hanna described efforts to improve teaching of genetics at NDSU.  She described a peer mentoring group as well as the development of supplemental modules on relevant and fundamental concepts for review as well as supplements to class materials.  Dr. Hanna discussed collection of DNA from the Central Grasslands Research Center and described planned research on longevity and efficiency in the cow herd at the Dickinson Research and Extension Center. Dr. Hanna also discussed the first year of data collection in a project evaluating cattle temperament and evaluator bias is subjective measurements.

Dr. Jennifer Thomson described research interests that she is currently working on at Montana State University.  Projects currently include relationship of metabolite profile and RFI in cattle and sheep, nutritional effects on high vs. low-line Rambouillet ewes, effect of progesterone on feed efficiency, RFI relationship to carcass composition and gene expression in sheep, genetic correlations between maternal and carcass traits in Simmental cattle, management of Bighorn sheep and improved objective measurements of temperament.

The business meeting included discussion of resources for sharing of teaching materials.  Dr. Thomson committed to opening a shared folder on dropbox for sharing syllabi, homework problems, and exams.  The future of a joint meeting with the S-1045 group  was discussed and the group determined it would like to pursue the potential of a joint meeting next year in St. Croix. Dr. Herring expressed his willingness to help coordinate as necessary.

On the 21^st, Dr. Thomson, Dr. Cronin and Ms. Bailey Engle toured the Vermillion Angus Ranch and looked at a number of premier Angus bulls.

Approximately 500 phenotypes and 70K genotypes have been collected related to humoral response to Escherichia coli O157:H7.  This is related to research into the genetics of vaccine response. Data associated with these activities contribute to project objectives. In addition, DNA and phenotypes have been collected for BRD research and susceptibility to Johne’s disease 1, 3 and 4.

Investigation of genetic components contributing to differences in individual animal feed intake and feed efficiency is being pursued at several locations though evaluation of males (growing bulls or steers), or in females (replacement heifers and/or mature cows), and in some cases sheep. Data associated with these activities contribute to project objectives 1, 2 and 3.

Resources are being developed in North Dakota and Montana to enhance teaching of undergraduate and graduate genetics.  This is relevant to objective 1.

Several structured populations are being utilized to investigate genetic influences on cattle fertility. Collection and processing of 1,500 Holstein replacement heifer samples for genotyping in addition to beef population for fertility study is ongoing at WSU. Approximately 3,000 records from 700 Bos indicus-Bos taurus females including DNA samples have been collected at TAMU. Two composite populations Bos taurus populations are being evaluated in Arizona. Montana maintains the Line 4 Hereford cattle as a component of a long-term line breeding project selecting for early growth rates and scrotal circumference; additionally, MSU and USDA-ARS maintain the Line 1 Hereford cattle that has been informative in beef cattle genetics for over 75 years. MSU also maintains two lines of Rambouillet sheep selected since 1968 for high and low reproductive rate, which are currently being used to study the genetic and molecular basis of reproductive efficiency. Accomplishments in these areas contribute to project Objectives 1, 2, and 3.

Novel phenotypes in regards to cattle temperament and blood metabolites are being collected in North Dakota and Montana and these phenotypes and DNA will be used in development of new genetic predictions for these traits. Accomplishments in these areas contribute to project Objectives 1, 2, and 3.

Cattle producers in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming have received research information and updates from project participants at local meetings and additional producers have been reached nationally at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Beef Improvement Federation meetings; colleague scientists have been impacted at the American Society of Animal Science and the Plant and Animal Genome meetings. Also, during the current reporting period, 18 graduate students have received training and research knowledge to aid in their career development and the advancement of knowledge about cattle breeding and genetics. Several publications in scientific outlets and industry/popular press outlets are provided under the publications list. Activities in these areas support Objectives 1 and 4.

Journal Articles:

Cronin, M.A., A. Cánovas, A.  Islas-Trejo, D.L. Bannasch, A.M. Oberbauer, and J.F. Medrano. 2015. Wolf Subspecies: Reply to Weckworth et al. and Fredrickson et al.. The Journal of Heredity.  http://jhered.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/05/10/jhered.esv029.extract.

Cronin, M.A., A. Cánovas, A.  Islas-Trejo, D.L. Bannasch, A.M. Oberbauer, and J.F. Medrano. 2015.  Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation of wolves (Canis lupus) in Southeast Alaska and comparison with wolves, dogs, and coyotes in North America. The Journal of Heredity 106:26-36.

Cronin, M. A. 2014.  What is a wolf?  Chapter 19 pages 287-304, in The Real Wolf by T.B. Lyon and W. Graves, and L.Grosskopf and N. Morrison editors.  Farcountry Press, Helena, MT. 

Cronin, M.A., G. Rincon, R.W. Meredith, M.D. MacNeil, A.  Islas-Trejo, A. Canovas, and J.F. Medrano. 2014.  Molecular phylogeny and SNP variation of polar bears (Ursus maritimus), brown bears (U. arctos) and black bears (U. americanus) derived from genome sequences. Journal of Heredity. 105:312-323.

Chapel, N.M., L.L. Hulsman Hanna, N. Chapinal, and S.A. Wagner. 2014. The effects of Flunixin Meglumine treatment and hoof trimming on lying behavior and locomotion in dairy cows. In: Proc. 47^th Annual American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Albuquerque, NM. http://www.aabp.org/meeting/display_research.asp?recnum=4885 (Accessed 1 December 2014).

Riley, D.G., C.A. Gill, A.D. Herring, P.K. Riggs, J.E. Sawyer, D.K. Lunt, and J.O. Sanders. 2014. Genetic evaluation of aspects of temperament in Nelore-Angus calves. J. Anim. Sci.  92:3223–3230. 

Riley, D.G., C.A. Gill, P.K. Riggs, J.O. Sanders, J.E. Sawyer, and A.D. Herring. 2014. Alternative parameterizations of relatedness in whole genome association analysis of pre-weaning traits of Nelore-Angus calves. Genet. Mol. Biol.  37:518–525.

Hulsman Hanna, L.L., D.J. Garrick, C.A. Gill, A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and D.G. Riley. 2014. Comparison of breeding value prediction for two traits in a Nellore-Angus crossbred population using different Bayesian modeling methodologies.  Genet. Mol. Biol. 37:631-637.

Erchinger, J., C. Marianno, and A. Herring. 2015. Development of a customized radiation monitor for livestock screening. Health Physics. (Accepted).

Dillon, J.A., D.G. Riley, A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and R.M. Thallman. 2015. Genetic effects on birth weight in reciprocal Brahman–Simmental crossbred calves. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 553-561.

P.C. Tizioto, J.W. Kim, C.M. Seabury, R.D. Schnabel, L.J. Gershwin, A.L. Van Eenennaam, R. Toaff-Rosenstein, H.L. Neibergs, the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Coordinated Agricultural Project Research Team, J.F. Taylor. Immunological response to single pathogen challenge with agents of the bovine respiratory disease complex: An RNA-sequence analysis of the bronchial lymph node transcriptome. PlosOne (in press).

T.F. Ng, N. Kondov, X. Deng, A. Van Eenennaam, H.L. Neibergs, E. Delwart. 2015. Viruses associated with bovine respiratory disease identified using metagenomics and a case-control study. Journal Virology doi:10.1128/JVI.00064-15.

H.L. Neibergs, C.M. Seabury, A.J. Wojtowicz, Z. Wang, E. Scraggs, J. Kiser, M. Neupane, J.E. Womack, A. E. Van Eenennaam, G.R. Hagevoort, T.W. Lehenbauer, S. Aly, J. Davis, J.F. Taylor. 2014. Susceptibility loci revealed for bovine respiratory disease complex in pre-weaned Holstein calves. BMC Genomics 15:1164

2014. Van Eenennaam, H.L. Neibergs, C. Seabury, J. Taylor, Z. Wang, E. Scraggs, R.D. Schnabel, J. Decker, A. Wojtowicz, S. Aly, J. Davis, P. Blanchard, B. Crossley, P. Rossitto, T. Lehenbauer, R. Hagevoort, E. Chavez, J.S. Neibergs, J.E. Womack. 2014. Results of the BRD CAP project: progress toward identifying genetic markers associated with BRD susceptibility. 2014.  Animal Health Research Reviews. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1466252314000231

2014. Saatchi, J.E. Beever, J.E. Decker, H.C. Freetly, S.L. Hansen, H. Yampara-Iquise, K.A. Johnson, M.S. Kerley, J.W. Kim, D.D. Loy, E. Marques, H.L. Neibergs, E.J. Pollak, R.D. Schnabel, C.M. Seabury, D.W. Shike, M.L. Spangler, R.L. Weaber, D.J. Garrick, J.F. Taylor. 2014. QTL, candidate genes, metabolic and signaling pathways associated with growth, metabolic mid-test weight, feed intake and fee efficiency in beef cattle. BMC Genomics 15:1004 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-1004

Boles, J. A., K. S. Kohlbeck, M. C. Meyers, K. A. Perz, K. C. Davis, J. Thomson. 2015.  The use of blood lactate concentration as an indicator of temperament and its impact on growth rate and tenderness of steaks from Simmental x Angus steers. Meat Sci 103:68-74.

Swartz, J. D., M. Lachman, K. Westveer, T. O’Neill, T. Geary, R. W. Kott, J. G. Berardinelli, P. G. Hatfield, J. M. Thomson, and C. J. Yeoman.  2014.  Characterization of the vaginal microbiota of ewes and cows reveals a unique microbiota with low levels of lactobacilli and near-neutral pH.  Frontiers Vet Sci 1:1-10

J.M. Neary, F.B. Garry, T.N. Holt, R.M. Enns, and M.G. Thomas. 2015. The altitude at which a calf is born and raised determines the rate at which mPAP increases with age. J. Anim. Sci. (E-2015-9217; accepted 7/10/2015).

J.M. Neary, F.B. Garry, T.N. Holt, M.G. Thomas, and R.M. Enns. 2015. Mean pulmonary arterial pressures in Angus steers increase from cow-calf to feedlot-finishing phases. J. Anim. Sci. 93: doi:10.2527/jas2015-9048.

M.M. Culbertson, S.E. Speidel, R.K. Peel, R.R. Cockrum, M.G. Thomas, and R.M. Enns. 2015. Optimum measurement period for evaluating feed intake traits in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 93:1-9.

M.A. Elzo, M.G. Thomas, D.D. Johnson, C.A. Martinez, G.C. Lamb, D.O. Rae, J.G. Wasdin, and J.D. Driver. 2015. Genetic parameters and predictions for direct and maternal growth traits in a multibreed Angus-Brahman cattle population using genomic-polygenic and polygenic models. Livestock Sci. 175:18-26.

J.H. Newman, T.N. Holt, J. Cogan, B. Womack, J.A. Phillips, C. Li, Z. Kendall, K.R. Stenmark, M.G. Thomas, R.D. Brown, S.R. Riddle, J.D. West, and R. Hamid.  2015. Increased prevalence of an EPAS1 (HIF2α) variant haplotype in cattle with high altitude pulmonary hypertension: brisket disease gene? Nature Comm. doi: 10.1038/ncoms7863.

D.W. Bailey, S. Lunt, A. Lipka, M.G. Thomas, J.F. Medrano, A. Canovas, G. Rincon, M.B. Stephenson, and D. Jensen. 2015. Genetic influence on cattle grazing distribution: association of genetic markers with terrain use in beef cows. Range Ecol. Mgt. 68:142-149.

Thomas, M.G., A. H. Mohamed, M.N. Sawalhah, J.L. Holechek, D.W. Bailey, J.M. Hawkes, P. Luna-Nevarez, F. Molinar, and G. Khumalo. 2015. Long-term forage, cow-calf, and economic performance of two stocking levels on Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland. Range Ecol. Mgt. 68:158-165.

Book Chapters:

Gonda, M.G.  2015.  Understanding the Major Histocompatibility Complex and Immunoglobulin Genes.  In:  Molecular and Quantitative Animal Genetics.  John Wiley and Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.

Gonda, M.G.  2015.  Livestock and Companion Animal Genetics: Genetics of Infectious Disease Susceptibility.  In:  Molecular and Quantitative Animal Genetics.  John Wiley and Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ.

Herring, A.D. 2014. North American Beef Production Chapter 5. In: Cottle, D.J., and L. Kahn (eds.) Beef Cattle Production and Trade. CSIRO Publishing in conjunction with Meat & Livestock Australia, Brisbane, QLD. ISBN: 9780643109889.

Herring, A.D. 2014. Beef Cattle, Chapter 130 in Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems, print and online. Editor-in-Chief Neal K. Van Alfen. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-444-52512-3.

Editor Reviewed Books:

 Beef Cattle Production Systems by Andy D. Herring (2014) 14-chapter text book designed for beef production courses in international markets, published by CABI, Oxfordshire, UK. Released November 3, 2014. ISBN-13: 978 1 78064 415 8.

Conference Proceedings, Abstracts, and Research Reports:

Bohac, J.K., A.D. Herring, D.G. Riley, and J.O. Sanders. 2015. Birth weight, calving rate, and weaning rate in second generation reciprocal Brahman-Angus crosses. Abstract No. 2, Southern Section American Society of Animal Science Meetings, January 31-February 3, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia

Ngere, L., D.G. Riley, A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and T.M. Craig. 2015. Assessment of genetic variation in fecal egg counts for multiple species of internal parasites in growing crossbred Bos indicus-Bos taurus cattle. Abstract No. 4, Southern Section American Society of Animal Science Meetings, January 31-February 3, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Downey, E.D., A. D. Herring, C.A. Gill, K. J. Kochan, P. K. Riggs, and L. S. Skow. 2015. Genetic variation in the Bovine MHC is association with subclinical leukopenia in vaccinated Angus-Nellore steers. Poster at Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) meeting.

Kincheloe, J.J., K.C. Olson, A.D. Blair, K.R. Underwood, M.G. Gonda, A.A. Harty, and R.N. Funston.  2015.  Impact of maternal protein restriction in first calf heifers during mid- to late-gestation on dam and suckling calf performance through weaning.  Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science, Ruidoso, NM.  Volume 66.

Marley, K.B., L.A. Kuehn, J. Keele, B. Wileman, and M.G. Gonda.  2015.  Genome wide association study of Escherichia coli O157:H7 vaccine response in beef cattle.  Plant and Animal Genome Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Perry, G.A., A.K. McNeel, R.A. Cushman, M.G. Gonda, and B.L. Perry.  2014.  Identification of changes in bovine oviductal mRNA expression by RNAseq from animals with high and low circulating estradiol concentrations during timed artificial insemination.  Ruminant Reproduction Symposium, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan.

McNeel, A.K., R.A. Cushman, W.M. Snelling, M.G. Gonda, B.L. Perry, and G.A. Perry.  2014.  De novo assembly and identification of unique contigs in the bovine oviduct from animals with high and low circulating estradiol concentrations during timed artificial insemination.  Society for the Study of Reproduction, Grand Rapids, MI.

Marley, K.B., L.A. Kuehn, J. Keele, B. Wileman, and M.G. Gonda.  2014.  Heritability estimation for Escherichia coli O157:H7 vaccine immune response in beef cattle.  Avera/South Dakota State University Research Symposium, Brookings, SD.

G.W. Burns, M.E. Wehrman, T.W. Geary, J.I. Moss, A.C. Denicol, K.B. Dobbs, M.S. Ortega, P.J. Hansen, A.J. Wojtowicz, H.L. Neibergs, T.E. Spencer. Systems biology approach to understanding uterine receptivity and pregnancy loss. 2015. Society for Study Reproduction, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

P.C. Tizioto, J.W. Kim, R.D. Schnabel, L.J. Gershwin, A.L. Van Eenennaam, R. Toaff-Rosenstein, H.L. Neibergs, the Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Coordinated Agricultural Project Research Team, and J.F. Taylor. Susceptibility and molecular mechanisms underlying bovine respiratory disease complex. 2015. Plant & Animal Genome XXIII, San Diego, California.

22. Kiser, H.L. Neibergs. Genome wide association study confirms association of Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis tissue infection on BTA16 and BTA22. 2014. 3^rd Annual Mycobacterial Disease of Animals Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.

Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Consortium Coordinated Agricultural Project Team, J.E. Womack. Integrated program for reducing bovine respiratory disease complex in beef and dairy cattle coordinated agricultural project (BRD CAP). 2014. Bovine respiratory Disease Symposium 2014: New Approaches to Bovine Respiratory Disease Prevention, Management and Diagnosis, Denver, Colorado.

T.E. Spencer, T.W. Geary, P.J. Hansen, H.L. Neibergs, J. Dalton, J.B. Cole. Systems biology approaches to understanding conceptus elongation and early pregnancy loss. 2014. Society Study Reproduction Annual meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

J.C. Dalton, D.A. Moore, T. Spencer, H. Neibergs, A. DeVries, P. Hansen, and J. Cole. 2014. Survey of genomic management practices of United States’ dairy producers. In: Proc. New Science, New Practices International Cow Fertility Conference, Westport, Ireland, Cambridge University Press, Volume 5, Part 2, p. 260.

T.E. Spencer, P.J. Hansen, J.B. Cole, J. Dalton, H.L. Neibergs. Genomic selection and reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. 2014. Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council.

H.L. Neibergs, J.S. Neibergs, A.J. Wojtowicz, J.F. Taylor, C.M. Seabury, J.E. Womack. Economic benefits of using genetic selection to reduce the prevalence of bovine respiratory disease complex in beef feedlot cattle. 2014. Proceedings Beef Improvement Federation, 82-87. Lincoln, Nebraska

J.S.  Neibergs, H.L. Neibergs, J.F. Taylor, C.M. Seabury, T.W. Lehenbauer, A.L. Van Eenennaam, J.E. Womack. An estimate of the economic gain from selection to reduce BRD incidence in dairy calves. 2014. Proceedings 10^th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

R.L. Weaber, J.E. Beever, H.C. Freetly, D.J. Garrick, S.L. Hansen, K.A. Johnson, M.S. Kerley, D.D. Loy, E. Marques, H.L. Neibergs, E.J. Pollak, R.D. Schnabel, C.M. Seabury, D.W. Shike, M.L. Spangler, J.F. Taylor. Analysis of US cow-calf producer survey data to assess knowledge, awareness and attitudes related to genetic improvement of feed efficiency. 2014. Proceedings 10^th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

M.G. Thomas, N.F. Berge, G.R. Hagevoort, T. Ross, R.M. Enns, A.L. Van Eenennaam, H.L. Neibergs, J.S. Neibergs, J.E. Womack. 2014. Integrated program for reducing bovine respiratory disease complex coordinated agricultural project (BRDC-CAP): Trainee participation is a bonus to teaching aims. Proceedings 10^th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

K.A. Perz, M.R. Whitmore, A.F. Williams, A.R. Hicks-Lynch, M.R. Herrygers, J. A. Boles, J.G. Berardinelli. J.M. Thomson. 2015. Carcass characteristics and body composition of lambs selected for divergent residual feed intake. Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science, Ruidoso, NM.  Volume 66.

Thomson, J., J. D. Swartz, C. J. Yeoman, J. G. Berardinelli. 2014. Genomic differences between Rambouillet sheep selected for high and low reproductive rate. 2014 American Society of Animal Sciences JAM July 20-24, 2014. Kansas City, MS.

Karisa, B.K.., J. Thomson, G. Plastow. 2014. Residual Feed Intake in Beef Cattle; Genes, Metabolites and Beyond. Accepted for Proceedings 10th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Aug 17-22, 2014. Vancouver BC, Canada.

2014. D. Swartz, C. J. Yeoman, J. G. Berardinelli, J. M . Thomson. 2014. Impact of Long Term Selection of Reproductivve Efficiency in Linebred Rambouillet Sheep. Accepted for Proceedings 10th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Aug 17-22, 2014. Vancouver BC, Canada.

2014. A. Boles, K. S. Kohlbeck, M. C. Meyers, K. A. Perz, J. Thomson, K. C. Davis. 2014 Temperament classification affects tenderness of steask from Simmental X Angus cross steers. Accepted for International Congress of Meat Science and Technology. Aug 17-22, 2014. Punta Del Este, Uraguay.

Williams, A. F., J. A. Boles, K. S. Kohlbeck, M. C. Meyers, K. A. Perz, J. Thomson, K. C. Davis. 2014. Effect of Tmerperament and Growth Rate on  Carcass Characteristics of Simmental Steers. Accepted for  International Congress of Meat Science and Technology. Aug 17-22, 2014. Punta Del Este, Uraguay.

Zeng, X., Speidel, S. E., Thomas, M., Enns, R. M. Estimating Economic Values of Traits Belonging to Cattle in Maternal Beef Production.  Proc. West. Sect. Am. Soc. An. Sci.. American Society of Animal Science.

Cockrum, R.R., Zeng, X., Berge, N.F., Neary, J.M., Garry, F.B., Holt, T. N., Blackburn, H.D., Thomas, S. P., Speidel, S.E., Garrick, D.J., Enns, R.M., Thomas, M.G. (2014). Angus cattle at high altitude: genetic relationships and initial genome wide association analyses of pulmonary arterial pressure. 10th World Congr. Appl. Livestock Prod.. WCGALP. https://asas.org/docs/default-source/wcgalp-proceedings-oral/236_paper_9105_manuscript_427_0.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Culbertson, M.M., Speidel, S. E., Thomas, M.G., Keenan, L., Enns, R.M. (2014). Effect of genetics level of beef cow milk production on longevity in diverse environments. 10th World Congr. Appl. Livestock Prod.. WCGALP. https://asas.org/docs/default-source/wcgalp-posters/766_paper_9935_manuscript_1097_0.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Speidel, S. E., S., Cockrum, R., Salak-Johnson, J. L., Chase, C. C. L., Thomas, M., Peel, R. K., Enns, R. M. (2014). Genetic analysis of receiving weight, ultrasound back fat, ultrasound rib eye area, ultrasound percent intramuscular fat, and bovine respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. 10th World Congr. Appl. Livestock Prod. WCGALP. https://asas.org/docs/default-source/wcgalp-posters/519_paper_8807_manuscript_253_0.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Zeng, X., Cockrum, R.R., Berge, N.F., Neary, J.M., Garry, F.B., Holt, T. N., Blackburn, H.D., Speidel, S.E., Garrick, D.J., Enns, R.M., Thomas, M.G. (2014). Genetic correlation and genome wide association study of pulmonary arterial pressure and post weaning growth traits in Angus heifers from a high altitude breeding program. 10th World Congr. Appl. Livestock Prod.. WCGALP. https://asas.org/docs/default-source/wcgalp-posters/428_paper_9752_manuscript_1034_0.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Berge, N.F., Speidel, S.E., Zeng, X., Culbertson, M.M., Thomas, M.G., Enns, R.M. (2014). Genetic relationships between pulmonary arterial pressure and performance traits in Colorado State University Beef Improvement Center Angus herd. 10th World Congr. Appl. Livestock Prod. WCGALP. https://asas.org/docs/default-source/wcgalp-posters/430_paper_9946_manuscript_1110_0.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Non-Referred/Popular Press Articles:

Buchanan, D.S. and L.L. Hulsman Hanna. 2014. Understanding EPDs. Black Hereford Journal. 3(1): 7-10. Editor: J. Hoagland. American Black Hereford Association, Leavenworth, KS.

Hanna, L.L. and D.S. Buchanan. 2014. The Role of a Black Hereford Breeder. Editor: J. Hoagland. American Black Hereford Association, Leavenworth, KS. 3(2): 5-8.

Ramsay, J.K., L.L. Hulsman Hanna, and K.A. Ringwall. 2014. Enhancing the identification of error checking in the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS) benchmarks using SAS procedures. 2014 North Dakota Beef Report pg 33-36.

Producer and Industry Meetings and Presentations:

Hulsman Hanna, L. L. 2015. ASAS Midwest Section Meeting, Des Moines, IA, March 15 – 18, 2015. Attendee/Discussant/ MS Oral Session I Judge.

Hulsman Hanna, L. L. 2014. North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Board of Directors Meeting, Mandan, ND, December 3, 2014. Discussant/Attendee.

Hulsman Hanna, L. L. 2014. North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association Board of Directors Meeting, Bismarck, ND, November 20, 2014. Discussant/Attendee

Hulsman Hanna, L. L. 2014. NCERA-225 Annual Meeting, Bozeman, MT, October 23 – 24, 2014. Participant/Discussant.

Hulsman Hanna, L. L. 2014 10^th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, August 16 – 23, 2014. Attendee/Discussant.

Thomson, J. M. 2014 10^th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, August 16 – 23, 2014.

Thomson, J. M. 2014 American Society of Animal Sciences JAM July 20-24, 2014. Kansas City, MS.

Thomson, J. M.           2015 Montana Cattle Producers School

Downey, E.D., J.F. Ridpath, J.E. Sawyer, and A.D. Herring. 2014. Leukopenia difference following BVDV 1b challenge in vaccinated Angus-Nellore steers. 2014 US BVDV Symposium, Extension Session. August 3, 2014 College Station, TX with nationwide webinar. 50 in attendance.

Herring, A.D. 2015. Speaker for BEEF 706 on genetic aspects of beef carcass quality (4 sessions 40 people each) 2 in January, 2 in August. 160 producers contacted.

Herring, A.D. 2014. Co-coordinator with Dan Hale and moderator of 2^nd Aggie Commercial steer camp (70 in attendance). July 29-30, 2014

Herring, A.D. 2014. Coordinator and moderator for Beef Cattle Research session of Beef Cattle Short Course (75 in attendance)

Herring, A.D. 2014.Co-coordinator with Joe Paschal and Steve Hammack for Breeding and Genetics sessions of Beef Cattle Short Course. 250 producers in audience across two sessions.

Neibergs, H.L. 2014. Transcription binding factors on BTA3 are associated with Map tissue infection. 118^th United States Animal Health Association & 57^th American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians meeting, Kansas City, Missouri.

Neibergs, H.L. 2014. Reducing bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in beef cattle. National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium Webinar “Brown Bagger” Series October 15, 2014.

Neibergs, H.L. 2014. Economic Benefits of using Genetic Selection to Reduce the Prevalence of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex in Beef Feedlot Cattle. Beef Improvement Federation, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Neibergs, H.L. 2014. Beef 300, Use of traditional and genomic selection tools for increased profitability, Pullman, Washington

Neibergs, H.L. 2014. Cattlemen to Cattlemen TV episode: BRD CAP update. November 18, 2014; http://www.cattlementocattlemen.org/videoplayer.aspx?videoid=3895558158001