Beef News
Spring 2010 U.S. Beef Sire Directory Available
The spring 2010 U.S. ABS Beef Sire Directory is available. It contains the most up to date information about the ABS Beef lineup. Highlights would include:
- Updated EPDs and photos
- Angus Sire Alliance data
- Top 15 Angus Sire lists
- Enhance Brangus section
- New sires in Angus, Red Angus, Simmental and Club Calf
The directory can be obtained from your local ABS Representative or by calling 1-800-ABS-STUD. It is also available on the web at Spring 2010 U.S. Beef Sire Directory.
Unusual Calves Reported from Connealy ALL AROUND
May 4, 2009
Dr. Jonathan Beever of the University of Illinois has made us aware of two unusual calves that appear to be affected by the condition commonly known as Fawn Calf Syndrome (FCS). These calves have been parent verified to be sired by 29AN1693 Connealy ALL AROUND (15490811).
FCS is still being researched but indications from that research are that it is inherited as a simple recessive trait. Unlike AM and NH, this condition is not necessarily lethal. However, severely affected calves in extensive management conditions may have difficulties initially nursing without assistance and may be prone to mortality. This condition was first identified and investigated in Australia and research there indicates that the condition traces through the common ancestor Bon View Bando 598 to Premier Independence, the sire of his grandam, and possibly back to the dam of Independence.
Classification of the defect, breed association policies and a DNA test are all still under development at this time. ALL AROUND semen will be available only by special request through the ABS Beef Department.
ABS routinely investigates any abnormal calves reported to us that appear to be genetic in nature utilizing resources like Dr. David Steffen at the University of Nebraska, Dr. Beever and the respective breed association. Our policy has been and continues to be to label any bull that has been determined to be a carrier of a deleterious gene through either approved DNA testing or the identification of two or more calves that have been parent verified and confirmed through pathology to be affected by a known genetic defect. To date, we have had no other potential FCS calves reported to us by any other ABS sires.
When more is known about this condition and suspect pedigrees, ABS will communicate that information to our Representatives and customers. We encourage you to report any unusual calves to ABS, the respective breed association and to Drs. Beever or Steffen. They will assist and coordinate getting samples distributed appropriately for complete investigation.
This link contains information from the American Angus Association and a request for suspect calves to be submitted.
Hydrocephalus Update
April 13, 2009
Following is an update from the American Angus Association and Dr. Jonathan Beever in regard to the severe form of Hydrocephalus that has been observed in some of the same bloodlines that were affected by Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM). Dr. Beever has been able to identify a causative recessive mutation for Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH) and develop a DNA diagnostic test that will accurately classify animals relative to the defect.
As with AM, semen supplied by the A.I. studs was used as part of the validation process in developing the test. Dr. Beever is providing a pre-commercialization release of these results back to the studs and to the American Angus Association. These results provide the status of the bulls tested and give the industry a dramatically better and more precise risk assessment than has been possible through pedigree analysis alone.
We thank Drs. Beever and Steffen for their efforts in identifying this defect and providing a diagnostic test that can be helpful this breeding season.
For a complete list of industry sires, visit the American Angus Association website.
Osteopetrosis (Marble Bone) in Red Angus Cattle
A collaborative effort of scientists at USDA MARC, USDA BARC, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Maryland and University of Wyoming has identified a mutation causing Osteopetrosis (Marble Bone) in Red Angus cattle. The disease is caused by a mutation in a gene necessary for bone remodeling during development, known as SLC4A2. A DNA test capable of identifying carriers of this defect has been developed and will become commercially available in the next 30 to 45 days.
Unusual Calf Report
February 11, 2009
Dr. Jonathan Beever of the University of Illinois has made us aware of a potential separate lethal genetic defect that may involve similar lines of cattle as those associated with Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM). These calves display a hydrocephalus phenotype more commonly described as water on the brain. It’s likely that some of these calves have previously been confused with AM calves.
We recently had the first calf of this type reported to ABS. The calf was thought to be sired by 29AN1608 Dr J ANALYST M250 and was reported to Dr. Beever for investigation. In an abundance of caution we temporarily suspended sales on ANALYST until more was understood about this condition and the calf that has been reported.
ABS routinely investigates any abnormal calves reported to us that appear to be genetic in nature utilizing resources like Dr. David Steffen at the University of Nebraska, Dr. Beever and the respective breed association.
Our policy has been and continues to be to label any bull that has been determined to be a carrier of a deleterious gene through either approved DNA testing or the identification of two or more calves that have been parent verified and confirmed through pathology to be affected by a known genetic defect.
Today, we received parent verification that the calf submitted was in fact sired by ANALYST. While this condition and its inheritance are not fully understood, Dr. Beever and Dr. Steffen have also received other affected calves with similar extended pedigrees and from a wide geographic area indicating a possible genetic component.
When more is known about this condition and suspect pedigrees, ABS will communicate that information to our Representatives and customers. We encourage you to report any unusual calves to ABS, the respective breed association and to Drs. Beever or Steffen. They will assist and coordinate getting samples distributed appropriately for complete investigation.
Updated Arthrogryposis Multiplex (Curly Calf Syndrome) Information
With supportive efforts from Dr. David Steffan of the University of Nebraska, and the American Angus Association, Dr. Jonathan Beever of the University of Illinois has developed a DNA diagnostic test that identifies the mutation responsible for Arthrogryposis Multiplex (or Curly Calf Syndrome).
Semen supplied by the A.I. studs was used as part of the validation process in developing the test. Dr. Beever is providing a pre-commercialization release of these results back to the studs and through us to the American Angus Association. These results provide definitive status on the bulls tested and give the industry a dramatically better and more precise risk assessment than has been possible through pedigree analysis alone.
We thank Dr. Beever for his tireless efforts in providing this diagnostic test in time for the fall breeding season and wish him the best as he moves to quickly commercialize the test.
An update from Dr. Beever is attached with further explanation of the test in addition to a separate file with results for ABS and ORIgen bulls.
For a complete list of industry sires, visit the American Angus Association website.
Previous Curly Calf Syndrome Information
On September 18, 2008 a notice was posted by the American Angus Association (
read notice here), outlining the likely presence of a new Lethal Genetic Defect described as “Curly Calf Syndrome”. As stated in this communication, the most recent common ancestor in the affected calves’ pedigrees is G A R Precision 1680 (11520398).
If as described, the syndrome is inherited as a simple recessive
- Not all Precision 1680 progeny will be carriers (only 50% would be expected to carry the gene).
- Until a DNA test is developed it will be difficult if not impossible to tell which animals are not carriers.
- Carrier animals are not affected and can be effectively utilized in a breeding program with caution especially when a DNA test is available.
- Only when two carriers are mated can you potentially get an affected calf.
- On average, mating two carriers will produce 25% affected calves, 50% carrier calves, 25% non-carrier calves.
Until more is known and a DNA test is available, the best course of action is to avoid doubling up Precision 1680 by not introducing him on both sides of a mating’s pedigree.
In order to assist our customers in making intelligent mating decisions we have attached a list clearly defining which sires in our Fall 2008 Beef Sire Directory have Precision 1680 in their 4 generation pedigree and which do not. (view list) For those sires that have Precision 1680 in their pedigree, we have calculated the likelihood that a sire is a carrier of the “Curly Calf” gene. As you can see from the chart only one sire has a likelihood of 50% with most having only a 1 in 4 or 1 in 8 chance of carrying the gene based on what we know today.
We would encourage breeders to be cautious in their upcoming breeding decisions but not to overreact in regard to animals in their herd or matings that they have already made. Once a DNA test is available, we will be able to identify both carriers and non-carriers and most effectively be able to utilize their positive traits while breeding around the abnormality.
Based on inheritance and the laws of probability, we should find from a population standpoint that ½ of the Precision 1680 sons and daughters are not carriers and that an even higher percentage of grand progeny are also free of the gene.
As additional animals are confirmed to be carriers, we will update this chart.
If you observe an animal with this type of abnormality, please report it to both ABS and the American Angus Association (
request form).
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