2016 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting and Research Symposium: Progress on the Prairie
June 14-17, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center, Manhattan, KS
Press Releases
K-State animal sciences and industry department hosts BIF annual meeting and research symposium
Shaw Cattle Co. named BIF Seedstock Producer of Year
Plum Thicket Farms named BIF Commercial Producer of Year
Green Presented BIF Pioneer Award
Hixon presented BIF Pioneer Award
Rishel Presented BIF Pioneer Award
Kachman presented BIF Continuing Service Award
Pollak presented BIF Continuing Service Award
Sunstrum presented BIF Continuing Service Award
Van Eenennaam presented BIF Continuing Service Award
Hough presented BIF Ambassador Award
Shaffer, Boldt awarded BIF’s Roy Wallace Scholarship
BIF Conference Newsroom by Angus Media
This site includes a brief summary of each speaker, audio recordings and slides. Thank you to the Angus Media team for this event coverage.
Conference Schedule
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
8 a.m. - Noon BIF Board Meeting
10 a.m. - noon International Genetic Solutions Cattlemen's Seminar
(pre-conference event, no registration required)
10:30 a.m. - Noon International Genetic Solutions Cattlemen’s Seminar
(pre-conference event, no registration required)
Noon - 5 p.m. Registration opens, Hilton Garden Inn conference center foyer
1 - 4:30 p.m. Young Producers Symposium and Reception (producers age 40 and younger; registration free, required)
Getting the most out of a meeting: building, maintaining and using your professional network. Dr. Michael Johll and Mr. Jeff Sleichter, Suther Feeds
Balancing ranch and family: keys to success. Mrs. Debbie Lyons-Blythe, Blythe Angus, White City, KS
Growing a new or expanding a family business to make a place for YOU! Tips and strategies that have helped build businesses for these ranchers:
Mr. C. J. Blew, Chairman, MKC Cooperative, and rancher/farmer, Castleton, KS
Mr. Spencer Jones, Flint Hills Heifer Development/ Jones Family Angus, Wamego, KS
Mr. Toby Jordan, Waukaru Polled Shorthorns, Rensselaer, IN
Mr. Matt Perrier, Dalebanks Angus, Eureka, KS
Mr. Don Schiefelbein, Schiefelbein Farms, Kimball, MN
6:30 p.m. Opening Dinner and Social – K-State Campus-Weber Arena
Shuttle vans depart East entrance of Hilton Garden Inn at 6 p.m.; last bus returns 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration, Hilton Garden Inn conference center foyer
7 a.m. Conference Breakfast - Hotel Foyer
8 a.m. Opening comments, KS Welcome
9:45 - 11:45 a.m. Accompanying Persons Guided Tour of Flint Hills Discovery Center
walk to tour location (1 block) depart as group from hotel lobby
General Session I: Opportunities for the Beef Value Chain: Can we become more coordinated and more profitable?
Moderator: Dave Weaber, VP of EMI Analytics, Beef, Express Markets, Inc.
8:15 a.m. What’s the North American beef market look like 20 years from now, opportunities for domestic and international growth. Dr. Glynn Tonsor/Dr. Ted Schroeder, Kansas State University
8:45 a.m. Beef as a consumer driven food business: Changing perspectives from cattle to food production. Dr. John Stika, Certified Angus Beef
9:15 a.m. Who’s our consumer and what do they want 20 years from now? Trends in the protein landscape. Dr. Brad Morgan, Performance Food Group
9:45 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Genetics of meat science: what traits can we improve genetically that affect the value/palatability of beef? Dr. Keith Belk, Colorado State University
11 a.m. Panel discussion of General Session I speakers
11:45 a.m. Awards Luncheon
Presentation of BIF Commercial Producer, Continuing Service and Ambassador Awards, Frank Baker and Larry Cundiff Scholarships
2 - 4 p.m. Accompanying Persons Tour of Flint Hills Discovery Center, Education Symposia “The role of fire and grazing management in the conservation of the tall grass prairie.”
walk to tour location (1 block) depart as group from hotel lobby
2 – 5:30 p.m. Break-out Sessions
- Advancements in Emerging Technology
Chair: Dr. Megan Rolf, Kansas State University
Comparative genomics and metagenomics: systems biology of bovine metabolism and of its ruminal symbionts - Dr. Gavin Conant, University of Missouri
RNA interference: Will the overlooked nucleic acid be the new star among animal health technologies? - Dr. Barry Bradford, Kansas State University
Rumen Microvirome - Dr. Samodha Fernando, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Impact of Technology on Genetic Gain – Past, Present, and Future - Dr. Mark Allen, TransOva
-
Advancements in End Product Improvement
Chair: Dr. Tommy Perkins , International Brangus Breeders Association
The Beef Yield Grading System - It's History, Current Status and Future. Dr. Ty Lawrence, West Texas A&M University
Live Animal Measures of Tenderness – Dr. T. Dean Pringle, University of Georgia
Breeder Panel - Carcass Data, Ultrasound Data or DNA - Dick Beck - Three Trees Ranch - Georgia; Jan Oleen - Oleen Bros. - Kansas; Vernon Suhn - Suhn Cattle Co. - Kansas
-
Advancements in Selection Decisions
Chair: Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University
Genetic Improvement of Feed Efficiency in Beef Cattle-Findings of a USDA Funded Integrated Project
Project Overview/Objectives; Genomics and RNA project discoveries-Dr. Jerry Taylor, University of Missouri
Identification of causal mutations and gene set enrichment/fine Mapping - Dr. Holly Neibergs, Washington State University and Dr. Chris Seabury, Texas A & M University
Effects of diet energy density, timing of testing, and gender on feed intake and efficiency – Dr. Dan Shike, University of Illinois
Feed efficiency and the microbiota of the alimentary tract – Dr. Harvey Freetly, US-MARC
Effects of diet digestibility on feed efficiency and impact of diet type and feeding phase on repeatability of feed efficiency phenotype – Dr. Stephanie Hansen, Iowa State University
Results of survey of stakeholders regarding knowledge of and attitudes towards feed intake, efficiency and genetic improvement concepts – Dr. Bob Weaber, Kansas State University
Extension demonstration project outcomes; Industry adoption and translation of project deliverables – Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Question and Answer Session
6:30 p.m. Evening Dinner at Stanley Stout Livestock Marketing Center- K-State Campus
Shuttle vans depart East entrance of Hilton Garden Inn beginning at 6 p.m.; last bus returns at 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
7 a.m. - noon Registration, Hilton Garden Inn conference center foyer
7 a.m. Conference Breakfast - hotel foyer
9 - 11:45 a.m. Accompanying Persons Guided Tour of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, K-State Campus.
Depart from hotel lobby as group, board vans at east entrance of Hilton Garden Inn., refreshments served
General Session II: Protecting producer profit for the future. Moderator: Dr. Matt Spangler, University of Nebraska
8 a.m. Call to Order/Housekeeping announcements
8:15 a.m. The 2016 and the 2036 cow herd, what we do and what we need to do better. Dr. Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University
8:45 a.m. Things a cow-calf producer learns when you own a feed yard: what drives profit. Chip Ramsay, Rex Ranch
9:15 a.m. Growing profit by understanding cow maintenance efficiency and maintenance requirement in an animal and systems context. Dr. Mark Enns, Colorado State University
9:45 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Making the cow-herd more efficient and profitable by 2036: where do we focus our efforts for the biggest impact? Dr. Clay Mathis, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management
11 a.m. Panel discussion with General Session II speakers.
11:30 a.m. BIF Caucuses and Elections
Noon Awards Luncheon
What you heard/Marching Orders/Call to Action/Charge, Dr. Kent Andersen, Zoetis
Presentation of BIF Pioneer and Seedstock Producer Awards, Roy Wallace Scholarship,
Introduction of newly elected BIF Board of Directors
Invitation to BIF 2017
2 p.m. Technical Break-out Sessions
- Advancements in Genomics and Genetic Prediction
Chair: Dr. Mark Thallman, USDA-ARS-MARC
Bolt and an Alternative Approach to Genomic EPDs, Dr. Bruce Golden, Theta Solutions, LLC
EPDs and Risk, Dr. Dale Van Vleck, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (retired)
Selection Enhanced Tenderness Marker Effects on Means and Variances of Beef Tenderness, Dr. J.R. Tait, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Accounting for Discovery Bias in Genomic Prediction, Jamie Parham, University of Nebraska -
Advancements in Producer Applications
Chair: Dr. Darrh Bullock, University of Kentucky|
Breeding Objectives Indicate Value of Genomics for Beef Cattle, Dr. M. D. MacNeil, Delta G
Using Genomic Tools in Commercial Beef Cattle: Taking Heifer Selection to the Next Level, Dr. Tom Short, Zoetis
Genomics: Return on Investment - Fact or Fiction? Dr. Tonya Amen, Dr. Michael Bishop, Dr. Andre Eggen, Illumina, Inc.
Panel discussion -
Advancements in Efficiency and Adaptability
Chair: Dr. Mark Enns, Colorado State University
Identifying genetic differences in susceptibility to BRD: Results from the USDA-NIFA CAP grant. Dr. Holly Neibergs, Washington State University
Guidelines for collection of bovine respiratory disease data. Dr. Larry Kuehn, USDA-Meat Animal Research Center. Dr. R. Mark Enns, Colorado State University
Genetic Evaluation for Heat Tolerance in Angus Cattle. Heather L. Bradford, University of Georgia.
Prototype Stayability Analysis using a Random Regression Approach. Dr. Scott E. Speidel, Colorado State University; Dr. Bruce L. Golden, Theta Solutions, LLC
Revised feed intake data collection guidelines. Dr. Robert Weaber, Kansas State University
5:30 p.m. BIF Board Meeting and Board Photo
6:30 p.m. Closing Reception on Blue Earth Plaza (adjacent to Hilton Garden Inn; hors d'oeuvres and drinks) and tour the Flint Hills Discovery Center (admission paid by conference)
Friday, June 17, 2016
7 a.m. departure Kansas Beef Industry Tours
Tour of Recent BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Recipients
McCurry Angus, Mushrush Red Angus, Moser Ranch and Fink Beef Genetics
Tour of Recent BIF Seedstock Commercial Producer of the Year Recipients
Tailgate Ranch, Woodbury Farms and Kniebel Cattle Co.
Coach buses/vans for tours depart east entrance of Hilton Garden Inn. Tours include breakfast, lunch and dinner, beverages, and transportation. Tours will return to conference hotel by approximately 9 p.m.
Patron Sponsors
GeneSeek
BEEF Magazine
Angus Publications Inc.
Kansas State University
Department of Animal Sciences & Industry