Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

On Monday the committee toured Deseret Land & Livestock at Woodruff, UT. Mr. James Sewell gave the committee an excellent tour of the ranch and educated us on how a very large commercial cattle and wildlife operation works. On Tuesday the committee had station reports. In addition to those listed as present, Dr. Milt Thomas, New Mexico State University and on a mini-sabbatical at the University of California, Davis gave his station report via telephone. There was much informative discussion of all of the station reports, which took a good part of the day. The project is due for renewal in September of 2007 and there was discussion about future objectives. Assignments will be made to committee members to develop objectives for the new petition. A business meeting was held late in the afternoon of June 20 and Dr. Mark Enns was named the chair for the coming year. The group is planning to meet in Hawaii in May or June of next year. Dr. Brent Buckley will be the host for the meeting. No administrative advisors were able to attend the meeting.

Objective 1: Maintain and disseminate educational resources on the genetics of beef cattle including WCC-1 publications. The committee maintains a website, which was constructed when the committee was titled WCC-1. The website is active and currently exist on a server in the Department of Animal Science at New Mexico State University. The current address is: http://www.nmsu.edu/~wcc1 . The website contains most WERA-1 (previously WCC-1 and W-1) publications in pdf form for easy download. In 2005, the committee planned to move the website to the University of Hawaii When the committee meets in Hawaii in 2007 the move of the website will be finalized. Additionally, members of the group make numerous extension and service presentations each year. The titles of these are listed in the publication section of the annual report. The committee is planning a symposium or a review publication to highlight important research areas influencing beef production in the western United States. The publication will be in a similar format to the publication produced by the S277 committee (http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/livestock/beef_cattle/breeding_genetics/tropical+breeds.htm . Objective 2: Conduct research to contribute to the understanding of genetic association among economically important traits and their indicators. A member of the committee organized a session at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting on cow herd efficiency. A second member of the committee has made invited presentations at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting regarding multiple trait maternal line beef cow indexes and feed efficiency in beef cattle. A third member of the committee made an invited presentation at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting regarding multiple terminal line sire indexes in beef cattle. Current users of multiple trait selection technologies developed by members of the committee include: Circle A Angus Sire Alliance, American International Charolais Association, and Beefbooster Alberta Ltd (Canada), American Hereford Association, American Simmental Association, Agricultural Research Council , and Animal Improvement Institute (South Africa). ABS Global Inc. has derived revenues in excess of $1.5 million from semen of Angus bulls identified as high value terminal sires. Objective 3: Maintain a record of resources on pedigreed populations that could be used in quantitative and/or molecular studies. Given the rapid advancements in knowledge of the bovine genome, we continue to maintain records on pedigreed populations within individual participants institutions. At the annual meeting we share information on these populations to encourage further cooperation on basic DNA analysis and application in the genetic evaluation of beef cattle. Objective 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 annual WERA-1 meeting is the forum in which all of these are addressed.

Ahola, J., Enns, R.M., T. Holt. 2006. Exploring new methods to predict pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) score in yearling beef cattle. JAS. 84:1259-1264. Amen, T.S., A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and C.A. Gill. 2006. Evaluation of reciprocal differences in Bos indicus x Bos taurus backcross calves produced through embryo transfer: I. Birth and weaning traits. J. Anim. Sci. Volume 84 (Accepted). Amen, T.S., A.D. Herring, J.O. Sanders, and C.A. Gill. 2006. Evaluation of reciprocal differences in Bos indicus x Bos taurus backcross calves produced through embryo transfer: II. Post weaning, carcass and meat traits. J. Anim. Sci. Volume 84 (Accepted). Beauchemin, V.R., M.G. Thomas, D.E. Franke, and G.A. Silver. 2006. Evaluation of DNA polymorphisms involving growth hormone relative to growth and carcass characteristics in Brahman steers. Genet. Mol. Res. 5 (2): (Manuscript 207, in press). Beckman, D. W. 2006.Genetic Parameter Estimates for Docility in Limousin Cattle. M.S. Thesis. Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Beckman, D., S. Speidel, B. Brigham, D. Garrick, and R. Enns. 2005. Genetic parameter estimates for docility in Limousin cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2): 115. Beckman, D.W., S.E. Speidel, B.W. Brigham, D.J. Garrick, and R.M. Enns. 2006. Heritability Estimates and Genetic Correlations for Stayability and Body Condition Score in Beef Females. An. Sci. Department Research Report. Beckman, D.W., S.E. Speidel, B.W. Brigham, D.J. Garrick, and R.M. Enns. 2006. Genetic parameters for Stayability and Body Condition Score in Beef Females. Proc West. Sect. Am. Soc. An. Sci. 57:93-95. Bergen, R. D., S. P. Miller, J. W. Wilton, D. H. Crews, Jr., and I. B. Mandell. 2006. Genetic correlations between live yearling bull and steer carcass traits adjusted to different harvest end points. J. Anim. Sci. 84:546-577. Brigham, B.W., S.E. Speidel, D. W. Beckman, D. J. Garrick, W. Vanderwert, S. Willmon, and R. M. Enns. 2006. Parameter estimates and breeding values for days to a constant fat endpoint. Proc West. Sect. Am. Soc. An. Sci. 57:79-81. Brito, L. F. C., A. D. Barth, N. C. Rawlings, R. E. Wilde, D. H. Crews, Jr., P. S. Mir, and J. P. Kastelic. Effect of feed supplmentation during calfhood on serum concentrations of metabolic hormones, gonadotropins and testosterone, and on sexual development, sperm production, and semen quality in bulls. Theriogenology. Submitted. Brito, L. F. C., A. D. Barth, N. C. Rawlings, R. E. Wilde, D. H. Crews, Jr., P. S. Mir, and J. P. Kastelic. Effect of nutrition during calfhood and peripubertal period on serum concentrations of metabolic hormones, gonadotropins and testosterone, and on sexual development in bulls. Domestic Animal Endocrinology. In Press. Brito, L. F. C., A. D. Barth, N. C. Rawlings, R. E. Wilde, D. H. Crews, Jr., P. S. Mir, and J. P. Kastelic. Circulating metabolic hormones during the peripubertal period and their association with sexual development, sperm production, and semen quality in bulls. Reproduction. Submitted. Brown, E. G., G. E. Carstens, J. T. Fox, S. A. Woods, D. T. Dean, A. D. Herring, S. Moore, and P. C. Genho. 2005. Relationships between feed efficiency and real-time ultrasound traits in growing and finishing steers. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):325(Abstr.). Burns, E.M., R.M. Enns, and D.J. Garrick. 2006. The effect of simulated censored data on estimates of heritability of longevity in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Genet. Mol. Res. 5(1): 7-15. Cleveland, M.A., H.D. Blackburn, R.M. Enns, and D.J. Garrick. 2005. Changes in inbreeding of U.S. Herefords during the twentieth century. J. Anim. Sci. 992-1001. Coppola, C.L., R.M. Enns, and T. Grandin. 2006. Noise in the animal shelter environment: building design and the effects of daily noise exposure. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 9(1):1-7. Coppola, C.L., T. Grandin, and R.M. Enns. 2006. Human interaction and cortisol: Can human contact reduce stress for shelter dogs. Physiology and Behavior. 87(3):537-541. Crews, D. H., Jr. 2006. Age of dam and sex of calf adjustments and genetic parameters for gestation length in Charolais. J. Anim. Sci. 84:25-31. Crews, D. H., Jr. 2006. The Genetics of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle. Proc. 38th Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Annual Meeting. Choctaw, MS. pp. 22-31. Crews, D. H., Jr., R. M. Enns, J. M. Rumph, E. J. Pollak, and R. L. Quaas. 2006. Genetic correlations of component carcass traits with retail product percentage in Simmental cattle. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 57. In Press. Crews, D.H., Jr., R. M. Enns, J.M. Rumph, E. J. Pollak, and R. L. Quaas. 2006. Genetic correlations of component carcass traits with retail product percentage in Simmental cattle. Proc West. Sect. Am. Soc. An. Sci. 57:75-78. Crews, D.H., R.M. Enns, J.M. Rumph, E.J. Pollak, and R.L. Quaas. 2006. Genetic correlations of component carcass traits with retail product percentage in Simmental cattle. Accepted and to be presented June 2006 at Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings in Logan, Utah. Cronin, M. A., M. D. MacNeil and J. C. Patton. Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite DNA variation in domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) and relationships with wild caribou (R. t. granti, R. t. groenlandicus, R. t. caribou). J. Heredity (accepted 6/15/2006) 2006. Cronin, M. A., M. D. MacNeil, and J. C. Patton. Mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite DNA variation in Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Northern Alaska and Canada. J. Mammalogy 86:495-505. 2005. Cunningham, S. F., K. L. Key, A. E. Ducoing, J. O. Sanders, A. D. Herring and D. K. Lunt. 2005. Evaluation of F1 cows sired by Brahman, Boran, and Tuli for reproductive and maternal performance and cow longevity. Beef Cattle Research in Texas. D.A. Henderson, M.G. Thomas, and Y. Da. 2005. Conference review: bovine genomics from academia to industry. Cattle and sheep workshop, International Plant and Animal Genome Conference 2005. Comp. Funct. Genom. 6:174-180. Dean, D. T., A. D. Herring, J. E. Sawyer, and D. S. Hale. 2006. Use of ultrasound in combination with calf background information to predict beef carcass traits. J. Anim. Sci. Southern Section Abtracts:39. Dorton, K., T. Engl., and R.M. Enns. 2005. Effects of trace mineral source and growth implants on trace mineral status and immune response of steers. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1/J. Dairy Sci.. 88(Suppl. 1):55. Dorton, K.L., T.E. Engle, R.M. Enns. 2006. Effects of trace mineral supplementation on source, 30 days post-weaning and 28 days postreceiving, on performance and health of feeder cattle. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. vol 19. Enns, R.M. 2005. Using EPD to improve profitability (slides). The Bovine Connection. Sydney, MT. Enns, R.M. 2006. Selection Decisions: Tools for economic improvement beyond EPD. The NBCEC Sire Selection Manual. Enns, R.M. 2006. The Role of economically relevant and indicator traits. The NBCEC Sire Selection Manual. Enns, R.M. and D.J. Garrick. 2005. Using new selection tools. Proc. The Range Beef Cow Symposium XIX. Rapid City. Pp: 63-67. Enns, R.M., D.J. Garrick, and B.W. Brigham. 2005. Variability in economic value is dependent upon herd average stayability. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2): 115. Enns, R.M., D.J. Garrick, and B.W. Brigham. Economic values of heifer pregnancy and stayability vary with average herd performance. Proc. 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (peer reviewed) Paper: 31-03. Ervin, R. T., L. Patterson, and A. D. Herring. 2006. Packer versus feeder cattle live animal value based on phenotypic characteristics. Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. 69:67-73. Geary, T. W., A. J. Roberts, R. C. Waterman, M. D. MacNeil, E. E. Grings, R. P. Ansotegui, B. D. Thompson, and R. J. Lipsey. Does Flunixin Meglumine Improve Pregnancy Establishment in Beef Cattle? In: L. T. Vermeire (ed). Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 2005 Research Update. p. 20-21. 2005. Geary, T. W., E. E. Grings, M. D. MacNeil, D. M. de Avila, and J. J. Reeves. Use of recombinant gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antigens for immunosterilization of beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 84:343:350. 2006. Geary, T. W., M. D. MacNeil, and R. P. Ansotegui. Effects of transportation stress, handling stress, and flunixin meglumine approximately 13 d after AI on pregnancy establishment. Proc. 7th Int. Symp. Repro. Dom. Ruminants. (accepted) 4/6/2006. Geary, T. W., R. P. Ansotegui, A. J. Roberts, R. C. Waterman, M. D. MacNeil, E. E. Grings, B. D. Thompson, and R. J. Lipsey. Effects of Flunixin Meglumine on pregnancy establishment in beef cattle. Proc. Western Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:309-311. 2005. Gill, C. A. T. S. Amen, J. O. Sanders, and A. D. Herring. 2005. Reciprocal differences in gestation length and birth weight in Bos indicus/Bos taurus crosses. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 405:83-88. Gill, C. A. T. S. Amen, J. O. Sanders, and A. D. Herring. 2005. Reciprocal differences in gestation length and birth weight in Bos indicus/Bos taurus crosses. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 2):27(Abstr.). Gill, C. A., and A. D. Herring. 2005. Genetic Selection, Genetic Markers and Genomics. Presented at Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Kollege of Knowledge, May 13, 2005. Gomez-Raya L. 2004. Strategies for Marker Assisted Selection in Cattle. Proceeding of the Satellite symposium at the ISAG meeting in Tokyo (Japan). Invited Speaker. Gomez-Raya L. 2006. Inferring unknown sires genotype at co-dominant DNA markers in half-sib families. (In preparation). Gomez-Raya L., M. Okomo, K.Osborne, C. Beattie, W. M. Rauw. 2006 (In preparation). Modeling inheritance of human diseases in model animals: malignant melanoma in Sinclair Swine. Gomez-Raya L., W. M. Rauw, C. Beattie, Y. Da, D. Smith, O. Ash, and M.S. Amoss. 2006. A selection experiment in sinclair swine supports that a tumor initiator locus is involved in melanoma susceptibility (manuscript to be submitted). Gomez-Raya L., W.M. Rauw. QTL mapping strategies for adaptability of beef cattle to rangelands. 2006. 8th. World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Grings, E. E., R. E. Short, K. D. Klement, T. W. Geary, M. D. MacNeil, M. R. Haferkamp, and R. K. Heitschmidt. Calving system and weaning age effects on cow and preweaning calf performance in the Northern Great Plains. J. Anim Sci. 83: 2671-2683. 2005. Groschke, D. W., A. D. Herring, J. E. Sawyer, and J. C. Paschal. 2006. Evaluation of feeder calf grade, background information and health status on feedlot weight gain and carcass traits of calves fed in South Texas. J. Anim. Sci. Southern Section Abtracts:38 Herring, A. D., D. T. Dean, J. E. Sawyer, D. S. Hale. 2006. Use of calf information to predict carcass traits. Beef Cattle Research in Texas. Herring, A. D., J. O. Sanders, D. K. Lunt, J. E. Sawyer, M. A. Wegenhoft, and C. A. Gill. 2005. Segregation of disposition scores among families of Bos indicus-Bos taurus crosses. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 2):114(Abstr.) Herring, A. D., J. O. Sanders, D. K. Lunt, J. E. Sawyer, M. A. Wegenhoft, and C. A. Gill. 2005. Segregation of disposition scores among families of Bos indicus-Bos taurus crosses. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:91-94. Herring, A. D., S. F. Cunningham, L. V. Cundiff, J. O. Sanders, C. C. Chase, Jr., W. A. Phillips, J. F. Baker, J. W. Holloway, B. G. Warrington and S. W. Coleman. 2005. Varying differences between sexes in birth weight and weaning weight of calves sired by tropically adapted breeds at six diverse U.S. locations. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 405:198-204. Herring, A. D., S. F. Cunningham, L. V. Cundiff, J. O. Sanders, C. C. Chase, Jr., W. A. Phillips, J. F. Baker, J. W. Holloway, B. G. Warrington and S. W. Coleman. 2005. Varying differences between sexes in birth weight and weaning weight of calves sired by tropically adapted breeds at six diverse U.S. locations. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 2):30(Abstr.). Herring, Andy D. 2006. Gene Combinations Affecting Performance. Brahman Journal, May Issue. Herring, Andy D. 2006. Genetic Basis of Performance: Gene Content. Brahman Journal, April Issue. Herring, Andy D. 2006. Research involving Bos indicus cattle. Brahman Journal, March Issue. Herring, Andy D. 2006. Types of information to consider in purchasing beef bulls. Southern Livestock Standard 2005-2006 Special Edition. Volume XVII, No. 1. Southern Livestock Publishing, Inc., San Antonio. J. J. Michal, C. T. Gaskins and Z. Jiang. 2006. The bovine fatty acid binding protein 4 gene is significantly associated with marbling and subcutaneous fat depth in Wagyu x Limousin F2 crosses. Anim. Genet. 37:400-402. K.L. Shirley, M.G. Thomas, D.H. Keisler, D.M. Hallford, D.M. Montrose, G.A. Silver, and M.D. Garcia. Case study: A Chihuahuan Desert Brangus breeding program: feed efficiency, metabolic hormones, and puberty in developing Brangus heifers sired by bulls with differing EPD for growth and scrotal circumference. In press: Prof. Anim. Sci. Feb; 2006. Kealey, C. G., M. D. MacNeil, M. W. Tess, T. W. Geary and R. A. Bellows. Genetic parameters for scrotal circumference and semen characteristics of Line 1 Hereford bulls. J. Anim. Sci. 84:283-290. 2006. Kelley, A.L., K.C. Davis, P.G. Hatfield, R.W. Kott, and J.M. Rumph. 2006. Genetic parameters for mature weight and lifetime litter weight weaned in Rambouillet and Targhee ewes. Accepted and to be presented June 2006 at Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings in Logan, Utah. Lancaster, P.A., G. E. Carstens, E. G. Brown, R. D. Randel, T. H. Welsh, Jr, T. D. A. Forbes, D. T. Dean, and A. D. Herring. 2005. Relationships between residual feed intake, ultrasound, and temperament traits in Brangus heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 1):325(Abstr.). Li, C., J. D. Nkrumah, R. Bartusiak, A. Fu, B. M. Murdoch, E. L. Sherman, S. D. McKay, Z. Wang, D. H. Crews, Jr., and S. S. Moore. A genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci affecting ultrasound and carcass backfat thickness in beef cattle. 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. In Press. M. D. Garcia, J. J. Michal, C. T. Gaskins, J. J. Reeves, T. L. Ott,, Y. Liu and Z. Jiang. 2006. Significant association of the calpastatin gene with fertility and longevity in dairy cattle. Anim. Genet. 37:293-307. MacNeil, M. D. and E. Matjuda. Breeding objectives for Angus and Charolais specialized sire lines for use in the emerging sector of South African beef production (submitted to South African J. Anim. Sci.) MacNeil, M. D. and T. B. Mott. Genetic analysis of gain from birth to weaning, milk production and udder conformation in Line 1 Hereford cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 84:1639-1645. 2006. MacNeil, M. D. and W. O. Herring. Economic evaluation of genetic differences among Angus bulls. Proc. Western Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:87-90. 2005. MacNeil, M. D. Breeding objectives for Angus cattle in South Africa and the United States. Proc. 9th World Angus Forum Tech. Mtg. Mar. 19, 2005 Cape Town, South Africa. Pages 17-23. 2005. MacNeil, M. D. Breeding objectives for Hereford cattle: Helping Hereford seedstock breeders improve profit for their commercial customers. Hereford World 95(8):10. 2005. MacNeil, M. D. Breeding objectives for terminal sires for use in U.S. beef production systems. Proc. Beef Improvement Fed. July 6-9, 2005, Billings, MT. 2005. MacNeil, M. D. Economic Evaluation of Terminal Sires for Use in Commercial Beef Production In: L. T. Vermeire (ed). Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 2005 Research Update. p. 7-9. 2005. MacNeil, M. D. Genetic Evaluation of the Ratio of Calf Weaning Weight to Cow Weight In: L. T. Vermeire (ed). Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 2005 Research Update. p. 9-11. 2005. MacNeil, M. D., M. A. Cronin, H. D. Blackburn, and L. J. Alexander. Genetic relationships among breeds of beef cattle in the United States that originated from the British Isles, Iberian Peninsula, or West-Central Europe. Proc. 8th World Cong. Genet. Appl. Livestk. Prod. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. 2006. MacNeil, M. D., M. A. Cronin, H. D. Blackburn, J. Kantanen and L. J. Alexander. Genetic relationships between feral cattle from Chirikof Island, Alaska and other breeds. (submitted to Anim. Genet.) MacNeil, M. D., T. W. Geary, G. A. Perry, A. J. Roberts and L. J. Alexander. Genetic partitioning of variation in ovulatory follicle size and probability of pregnancy. J. Anim. Sci. 84:1646-1650. 2006. MacNeil, M. D., T. W. Geary, Z. Jiang, D. H. Keisler, A. J. Roberts, L. J. Alexander, and E. E. Grings. Toward Understanding Variation in Fatness of Beef Cattle. In: L. T. Vermeire (ed). Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 2005 Research Update. p. 6-7. 2005. MacNeil, M. D., V. R. Leesburg, and T. B. Mott. Validating the breeding value for maternal preweaning gain in beef cattle with measured milk production. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. (accepted 1/9/2006) 2006. MacNeil, M.D. and M.A. Cronin. Mathematical models: population dynamics. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. p. 609-311. 2005. MacNeil, M.D. and R.K. Heitschmidt. Beef cattle management: extensive. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York p. 65-67. 2005. MacNeil, M.D. Beef cattle management: crossbreeding. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York p. 61-64. 2005. MacNeil, M.D. Mathematical models: production systems. In: Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York p. 612-614. 2005. MacNeil. M. D. Genetic evaluation of the ratio of calf weaning weight to cow weight. J. Anim. Sci. 83:794-802. 2005. Moore, S. S., D. H. Crews, Jr., and J. D. Nkrumah. 2006. Multiple and candidate gene approaches to genetic evaluation of feed efficiency in beef cattle. 8th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. In Press. Perry, G. A., M. F. Smith, A. J. Roberts, M. D. MacNeil, and T. W. Geary. Relationship between size of ovulatory follicale and pregnancy success in beef heifers. (submitted to J. Anim. Sci.) Perry, G. A., M. F. Smith, M. C. Lucy, J. A. Green, T. E. Parks, M. D. MacNeil, A. J. Roberts, and T. W. Geary. Relationship between follicle size at insemination and pregnancy success. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 102:5268-5273. 2005. R. Lopez, M.G. Thomas, D.M Hallford, D.H. Keisler, G.A. Silver, B.S. Obeidat, M.D. Garcia, and C.R. Krehbiel. 2006. Case study: metabolic hormone profiles and evaluation of associations of metabolic hormones with body fat and reproductive characteristics of Angus, Brangus, and Brahman heifers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 22:273-282. R.M. Enns. 2005. Decision Support Beyond Selection Indexes. Journal of the International Brangus Breeders Association. Rauw W. M., H.A. Glimp, W. Jesko, M. Sandstrom, M. Okomo- Adhiambo, B. Perryman, L. Gomez-Raya. 2006. New insights into grazing efficiency in range animals: examples from rafter 7 merino sheep. 8th. World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Rauw W.M., J. Soler, J. Tibau, J. Reixach, L. Gomez-Raya. 2006. Feeding time and feeding rate and its relationship with feed intake, feed efficiency, growth rate and rate of fat deposition in growing Duroc barrows". Journal of Animal Science (in press). Rauw W.M., J. Soler, J. Tibau, J. Reixach, L. Gomez-Raya. 2006. The relationship between residual feed intake and feed intake behavior in group housed Duroc barrows. Journal of Animal Science 84: 956-962.. Rhoades, R. D., J. E. Sawyer, A. D. Herring, D. T. Dean, D. K. Lunt, and D. G. Riley. 2006. Efficacy of growth based predictions of carcass fat thickness and marbling at harvest using ultrasound measurements. Beef Cattle Research in Texas. Roberts, A. J., S. I. Paisley, T. W. Geary, E. E. Grings, and M. D. MacNeil. Associations of Growth and Carcass Traits with Attainment of Puberty in Heifers Fed at Two Levels. In: L. T. Vermeire (ed). Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 2005 Research Update. p. 25-27. 2005. Roberts, A. J., S. I. Paisley, T. W. Geary, E. E. Grings, and M. D. MacNeil. Associations of growth and carcass traits with attainment of puberty in heifers fed at two levels. Proc. Western Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:333-335. 2005. Rumph, J.M. 2006. Expected Progeny Differences (EPD). Beef Sire Selection Manual, National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. Rumph, J.M. 2006. Intrepretation and Utilization of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD). Beef Sire Selection Manual, National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. Rumph, J.M., and R.E. Williams. 2006. Analysis of scrotal circumference adjusted for age or weight in Charolais field data. Accepted and to be presented June 2006 at Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings in Logan, Utah. Rumph, J.M., D.D. Kress, K.C. Davis, D.C. Anderson, H.C. Van Wagoner, and D.L. Boss. 2006. Genetic parameters for calf vigor in the Montana Line 4 inbred Hereford herd. Accepted and to be presented July 2006 at National American Society of Animal Science meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rumph, J.M., ed. 2005. Proceedings for the 37th Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting of the Beef Improvement Federation. Billings, Montana. Sanders, J..O., S.F. Cunningham, A. Ducoing, A.D. Herring, and D.K. Lunt. 2005. Evaluation of the F1 crosses of the Tuli, Boran, and Brahman with Hereford and Angus for birth, growth, carcass, cow productivity and longevity characteristics. J. Anim. Sci. 83(Suppl. 2):28(Abstr.). Sanders, J.O., S.F. Cunningham, A. Ducoing, A.D. Herring, and D.K. Lunt. 2005. Evaluation of the F1 crosses of the Tuli, Boran, and Brahman with Hereford and Angus for birth, growth, carcass, cow productivity and longevity characteristics. Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin 405:126-130. Sawyer, J. E., A. D. Herring, D. K. Lunt, D. T. Dean, R. D. Rhoades, and D. G. Riley. 2006. Growing Program, breed, and gender influence ultrasound-based prediction accuracy for carcass marbling and fat thickness in crossbred beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. Southern Section Abtracts:39. Shafer, W.R., R.M. Enns, B.B. Baker, L.W. Van Tassell, B.L. Golden, W.M. Snelling, C.H. Mallinckrodt, K.J. Anderson, C.R. Comstock, J.S. brinks, D.E. Johnson, J.D. Hanson, and R.M. Bourdon. 2005. Bio-economic simulation of beef cattle production: The Colorado Beef Cattle Production Model. Agri. Exp. Station Bulletin. TB05-02. 102 pages (peer reviewed) Shirley, K.L., M.G. Thomas, D.H. Keisler, D.M. Hallford, D.M. Montrose, G.A. Silver, and M.D. Garcia. 2006. Case Study: A Chihuahuan desert Brangus breeding program: Feed efficiency, metabolic hormones, and puberty in heifers sires by bulls with differing expected progeny differences for growth and scrotal circumference. Prof. Anim. Sci. 22:48-58 Shirley, K.L., M.G. Thomas, D.M. Hallford, G.A. Silver, V.R. Beauchemin, R. Steiner, and R.M. Enns. 2005. prediction of reproductive traits in Brangus heifers using a SNP and translated product of the IGF-I gene. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2): 113 Speidel, S.E., R.M. Enns, and D.J. Garrick. 2005. Weaning weight heritability estimates in different environments. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2): 114. Speidel, S.E., R.M. Enns, D.J. Garrick. 2006. 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