BIF Multiple-Trait Selection Committee Agenda
Chairman: Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky

Agenda:
1. Economically Relevant Traits
Economically Relevant Traits (ERT) are traits that have a direct impact on the profitability of beef producers, not just indicators of potential economic benefit. Bruce Golden and Mark Enns, both of Colorado State University, will discuss what ERTs are, which ERTs may be evaluated in the future, and how they will be useful to producers in making selection decisions.

2. Impact of Selection Decisions on Cow Efficiency
Tom Jenkins of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Neb., will follow up on his discussion from the morning’s general session. This discussion will focus on the impact of today’s selection decisions on the efficiency of the future cow herd when replacements are retained. This discussion will be more informal than the morning session and will provide a great opportunity to have an open discussion.

3. Genetic Evaluation and Utilization Down Under
David Johnston is the beef genetics program leader at the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), Armidale, Australia, which does the genetic evaluation for more than 20 Australian breeds. He will discuss BreedPlan (their National Cattle Evaluation), including traits currently analyzed and what is in store in the future. He will also discuss BreedObject, which has been developed by AGBU to assist producers in their selection decisions. BreedObject uses the genetic information from BreedPlan (similar to our EPDs) in selection indices. These indices can either be breed-specific or customized to the individual producers, with profitability as the driving force. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussing the potential of a similar system in the United States.