What a Selection Index Is and What It Isn’t with Crowley and Spangler
The effectiveness of any tool depends on whether you’re using it for the right purpose. That’s the story of selection indexes. In this episode, geneticists John Crowley of AbacusBio and Matt Spangler of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln take a hard look at economic indexes, how they’re created and how they’re best used. They tackle criticism and common misconceptions, while exploring how these tools help seedstock and commercial producers make more profitable breeding decisions.
HOSTS: Miranda Reiman and Mark McCully
GUESTS:
John Crowley is a managing partner with AbacusBio, an international agri-science and technology firm specializing in breeding and genetics. John focuses on genetics and data analytics while leading operations and client services in North America. Originally from Ireland where he grew up on a dairy and beef operation, he earned his doctoral degree at University College Dublin and moved across to the University of Alberta in 2011. John joined AbacusBio in 2018 and his current work, across animals and plants, focuses on delivering analytics, breeding program development and evaluation, technology evaluation, and decision tool development.
Matt Spangler grew up on a diversified crop and livestock farm in Kansas. He received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, a master’s at Iowa State University , and earned a doctorate at the University of Georgia. Spangler is currently a professor of animal genetics and Extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. His research work focuses on quantitative genetics and genomics in livestock. As part of this effort, he works closely with livestock industries, in particular beef, to implement improved genetic selection tools and methods.
RELATED LINKS:
American Angus Association Value Indexes
Accuracy and Possible Change Table
SPONSOR:
CERES TAG livestock monitoring systems equip producers with herd phenotype intelligence to make smarter decisions and boost profitability. Learn more about their CERES GEN6 tag — the industry’s first solar-powered, smart sensor ear tag with a direct-to-satellite connection — at CeresTag.com, or find their team at the Angus Convention this fall.
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