This survey aims to characterize the diversity of management practices implemented across seedstock Angus herds. It asks a series of questions regarding the nutrition, grazing, reproductive, health, marketing, and breeding practices on your operation.

It should take 15 minutes or less to complete.

It is part of a collaborative project between AGI and four land-grant universities aimed at developing new genetic prediction methods that can help match animals’ genetic potentials to unique production environments. Responses will help disentangle the management and environmental components of phenotypes. While this is foundational work, it is the first step toward a delivering EPDs tailored to individual operations.

The report is a page to record basic information to go along with the sample being submitted. While the information is basic, it is hugely helpful to the project, because it provides additional details about the sample.

All DNA samples collected to test deceased cattle for this project will be processed free of charge. The American Angus Association and Angus Genetics Inc. are committed to assisting the membership with the collection of this valuable data. 

No, the reporting and sampling of the calves for this project is voluntary and you will not be penalized if you submit or don’t submit your samples, even if we identify a deficiency in your reported calf’s DNA in the future. 

You are welcome to submit samples from calves from stillbirth, and calves that died before weaning for any reason. Some examples are deaths due to physical deformities, disease or infection, and weather conditions. Some genetic problems might appear as an invisible condition so any death can help us learn and study haplotypes.