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Jason and J.D. Anderson of Power Genetics, Holbrook, Neb., manage cattle from conception to consumption.
This genetic company is in the business of producing cattle that will perform efficiently and produce a
high-quality end product.
The company works with cooperator herds across the country to raise Simmental Angus composite bulls.
Each bull must meet several requirements before they can enter the Power Genetics bull test and
marketing program, including having inside information from the comprehensive
IGENITY® profile.
"We began using DNA technology from IGENITY to identify homozygous black bulls. Our customers were
requesting that information and paying a premium for it," J.D. says. "As more traits are added to the profile,
we have been paying a lot of attention to the carcass information and comparing that with our ultrasound
and actual carcass data."
Information about carcass traits is important to this operation because after the bulls are
marketed through the Power Genetics system, calves sired by the bulls are bought back and fed out.
Power Genetics then sells the cattle through multiple grids and branded programs.
"We have to produce calves that meet the specific requirements the packer wants, and
information from IGENITY helps us to do that," J.D. explains.
Along with the carcass information, J.D. says they are taking advantage of the options available from
IGENITY — testing cattle for persistent infections (PI) of the bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus and
identifying parentage.
"It is important for us to know the BVD-PI status of the cattle. We see it as a huge advantage that we can get
all of this information from one tissue sample," he explains. "Also, some of the multiplier herds use
multiple-sire breeding programs. IGENITY allows them to identify the parentage on the calves as another
management tool."
The Power Genetics vision is to individually manage and market each feeder calf to its ideal end point,
and J.D. believes DNA technology from IGENITY will help them to do just that.
"We really like the aggressive approach IGENITY has taken to adding more markers and information to the
profile and the ability to get all of the information from one sample," he says. "We believe this is a
tool that will allow us to sort and manage cattle based on carcass information and help us meet our goals."
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