Symposium Schedule

Young Producers Symposium
• Starting from scratch: Tips for building an operation from the ground up — Kevin and Lydia Yon, Yon Family Farm, Ridge Spring, SC

• Smart financial planning: Business planning and loan approval for young cattlemen — Durt Lacy, Mississippi State University

• Marketing Challenges your dad didn't face: Understanding millennial consumers and social marketing strategies — Amanda Radke, rancher, marketing specialist and correspondent for BEEF magazine, Mitchell, SD

National Association of Animal Breeders Symposium

The benefits of proven genetics and artificial insemination
• Les Anderson, University of Kentucky
• Dave Patterson, University of Missouri

Breakout Sessions:

• Advancements in genomics and genetic prediction
  Chair: Mark Thallman, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC)
  — Genomic prediction developments at American Angus Association, Stephen Miller, American Angus Association
  — A new cow fertility prediction, Bruce Golden, Theta Solutions
  — Considerations for adjusting carcass traits to differing end points, Matt Spangler, USMARC
  — BIF subcommittee report on across-breed EPD programs, Larry Kuehn, USMARC
  
• Advancements in producer applications
  Chair: Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky
  — Panel discussion: Implications of multi-breed evaluations and across-breed EPDs for commercial cattlemen, Bruce Golden, Theta Solutions; Larry Kuehn, USMARC; Matt Spangler, USMARC; Joe Epperly, North American Limousin Foundation
  — Local genetic adptation project, Jared Decker, University of Missouri
  —Genetics of reproduction project, Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California–Davis
  
• Advancements in efficiency and adaptability
  Chair: Mark Enns, Colorado State University
  — Evaluating sustained cow production: Alternate definitions of stayability, Scott Speidel, Colorado State University
  — Cow and bull fertility in a fescue-challenged environment, Justin Rhinehart, University of Tenneessee
  — Beef cattle climate adaptability: How can genomics help?
  — Feed intake in Brangus cattle: Experiences and recommendations, Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Auburn University

What you heard, charge
Presentation of BIF Pioneer and Seedstock Producer Awards, Roy Wallace Scholarships, Introduction of newly elected BIF Board of Directors, Invitation to BIF 2018

• Advancements in emerging technology
  Chair: Megan Rolf, Kansas State University
  — Update on the GGP-F250 and loss of function lethals, Jerry Taylor, University of Missouri
  — How genome editing could synergistically accelerate animal genomics, Alison Van Eenennaam, University of California–Davis
  — Economic risk analysis of embryo transfer programs through stochastic simulation, Dustin Aherin, Kansas State University
  — Basics and prospects in epigenetics, Chad Niederhuth, University of Georgia
• Advancements in end product improvement
  Chair: Tommy Perkins, International Brangus Breeders Association
  — Field-testing $BEEF in purebred cattle, Tom Brink, Red Angus Association of America
  — Insights from ongoing beef flavor research, Bridget Wasser, National Cattlemen's Beef Association
  — Genetic improvement of carcass traits in Bos indicus-inluenced cattle, Raluca Mateescu, University of Florida
  — Transcriptiome data supporting early prediction of carcass merit in young cattle, Heather Dunn and Matt Burns, Clemson University
• Advancements in selection decisions
  Chair: Bob Weaber, Kansas State University
  — Genomic analysis of udder traits in tropically adapted beef cows, Mallory Tollenson, Clare Gill, Andy Herring, Penny Riggs, Jason Sayer, Jim Sanders and David Riley, Texas A&M University
  — Exploring variation in beef cattle water intake and utilization, Cashley Ahlberg, Kansas State University
  — Making the most of genetic selection in a challenging environment, David Genho, Alico Inc.
  — Development of genomic pipeline for IGS BOLT genetic evaluations