Trustee Election Ballots Have Been Mailed
Participate in the selection of members who serve on the ASA Board of Trustees by voting online or by paper ballot. If you are sending in your paper ballot, use the enclosed envelope addressed to The Chairman of the Tellers. Please do not send it to the ASA office. We cannot forward it for you.
Here are the 2020 Trustee candidates. Please take the time to get to know them.
Genomics

Genomic testing is a cost-effective and quick way to add information to what is known about an animal’s genetic potential. One way to think of the information gained is by asking how much progeny would this animal need to see a similar increase in the accuracy of the EPD for that trait? These are referred to as progeny Equivalents. Below is a table of progeny equivalents as of spring 2018. The way to interpret progeny equivalents is adding a genomics test is like adding 15 calving ease records, 21 birth weights on progeny, etc. In other words, while a bull calf is still nursing, breeders can know an equivalent of 25 stayability records on his daughters - something that would take years to generate through progeny testing.
TRAIT |
PROGENY |
TRAIT |
PROGENY |
|
Calving ease | 15 | Stayability | 25 | |
Maternal calving ease | 3 | Carcass weight | 6 | |
Birth weight | 21 | Marbling | 8 | |
Weaning weight | 22 | Ribeye area | 5 | |
Yearling weight | 24 | Back fat | 6 | |
Milk | 18 | Docility | 19 |
An important fact: while genomic tests add accuracy to low accuracy animals, they can never replace reporting phenotypic data. For genomics to continue to have value, it is vital that breeders continue to submit quality phenotypic data.
Contact: 406-587-4531 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For additional resources for DNA requirements, estimated timelines, tips for DNA collection, etc., read the
Down to the Genes articles found below.