We commonly use P = G + E, which means an animal’s performance, or phenotype (P), is influenced by both its genetics (G) and the environment (E) it’s raised in. However, there’s another key factor: genotype-by-environment interaction (GxE). 

GxE means the same genetics exposed to a set of environmental influences like climate, feed and management, may perform differently than they would in other conditions. As a breeder you may have witnessed bulls that sire high-performing calves in one region, but may not deliver the same results in a drastically different climate or management system. 

Understanding how genetics interact with the environment helps producers not only breed cattle that are productive but are also resilient.

This is exactly what a multidisciplinary and multi-institution research team led by Guilherme Rosa at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is tackling. The project entitled “Integrating enviromics, genomics, and machine learning for precision breeding of resilient beef cattle” leverages expertise at Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Purdue University and Michigan State University. 

Together, using modern technology for data capture and analysis, they will work to better understand the relationships between genetics, the environment, and management practices.

This project is all about understanding how cattle perform in different environments and management systems. By collecting on-ranch data from Angus cattle operations across the United States, researchers will study how climate, soil conditions, and management practices, to name a few, affect cattle performance. They will use tools like satellite imagery and weather data to map and track climate and soil conditions and how they may be affecting resiliency in herds. The goal is to create tools that help more precisely match cattle to their environment.

Get involved: nationwide breeder survey

A key part of this research is a nationwide survey launched in February 2025. Breeders are invited to take part and contribute to this research by taking the 10 to 15-minute survey at bit.ly/BreederSurvey25. 

This survey is the first step in a long-term effort to better understand how different management practices of registered Angus breeders affect cattle performance. Your input will help shape new potential tools and ways to assess data with specific ranch conditions, leading to more productive and profitable cattle in their specific environment.

The power of data: turning information into action

As the data comes in, researchers will use advanced statistical models, machine learning and genomic analysis to uncover patterns between genetics, management practices and environmental factors. 

Rosa explains, “A comprehensive data lake is being created, with Angus’s database at its core, containing performance, genomic, and pedigree information.”

The more information we have, the better we can refine genetic evaluations to ensure cattle are bred to thrive in their conditions. This project is a unique collaboration between AGI, researchers and Angus breeders — all working together to develop more precise breeding tools for the industry. 
By participating in this research, breeders are not only improving their own herds but also shaping the future of beef production. 

We encourage all registered Angus breeders to take part in this important initiative by completing the survey. Together, we can grow closer to using precision breeding to match the right genetics to the right environment, ensuring a more productive, efficient, and resilient beef industry.