Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Accomplishments

During the 2018-2019 year, the committee and its members were very active working individually and collectively towards our common objectives:

 Provided a venue for the discussion and exchange of information for the many disconnected and diverse research activities--biological, genomic, statistical, computational, and economical--that support National Cattle Evaluation (NCE).

1. 1. This committee’s meeting is the only place where leaders in the area of genetic evaluation technology in the beef industry meet on an annual basis. The most cutting-edge methods and technologies are debated and discussed. Ideas from this meeting help inform research priorities and activities for the coming year. 

2. Developed exchange new tools for delivery and use of beef cattle genetic research, including genomic information, to beef breed associations and beef cattle producers.
   1. The 2019 NCERA-225 provided in depth discussion on new avenues for research and development for new traits and tools for selection.

 Updated the beef cattle industry on current developments in beef breeding and genetics research including changes in genomic tools and analyses.

3. 1. Committee members (Bullock, Weaber and Spangler) led the 2019 Brown Bagger Series of seminars to provide education content to ~100 county, district, regional and state extension educator and breed association technical staff on new and emerging issues/developments in beef cattle genetic evaluation. The series featured committee members: Rolf, Snelling, and Weaber. The series recordings and agenda is available here: http://www.nbcec.org/professionals/brownbag.html
   2. Committee members Spangler, Weaber, Rolf, Bullock, Decker (and Van Eenennaam) collaborate to maintain and expand the availability of beef genetics extension materials available online at eBEEF.org .
   3. A wide range of committee members interface beef producers and various organization involved in selection and genetic improvement via presentations, symposia or trade publications. A list of those are included below.

 Collaborated with appropriate groups (eg. BIF, and USDA/NIFA funded Integrated Projects) on research and outreach.

4. 1. A USDA funded project on beef cattle genetics decision was highlighted at BIF sessions (Spangler PI)
   2. A number of committee members are routinely engaged in genetic evaluation system development and deployment for various breed associations: Spangler, Bullock, Speidel, Enns, Hyde, Golden, Moser, Miller, Bedwell, Weaber, Kuehn, Kachman, Thallman, Misztal, and Lourenco. This engagement leads to the direct incorporation of novel research and development into national cattle evaluation systems.
   3. Weaber and Spangler collaborate with the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management to provide an annual lectureship for producers on utilization of advanced beef cattle selection tools.