A recent agreement with the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF), Centennial, Colo., has cleared the way for Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) to conduct the international genetic evaluation for the Limousin breed. Limousin is the sixth largest beef breed in the United States, reporting 37,742 Limousin and Lim-Flex® recordings in 2007.

Land-grant universities have been responsible for performing the genetic evaluation of most registered seedstock in the United States. A recent shift in university resources and philosophy makes it necessary for beef industry associations to assume responsibility for genetic analysis, while land-grant university systems will focus on research. U.S. beef breed associations are turning to the private sector for genetic evaluations.

The NALF board of directors realizes the critical importance of genetic evaluation and the costs associated with hardware, software and highly skilled personnel. After 18 months of careful study, NALF selected AGI to provide its genetic evaluation services beginning in summer 2008.

“NALF is excited to begin this new chapter in genetic evaluation,” said NALF President Bob Millerberg, Draper, Utah. “We are privileged to work with such a solid, knowledgeable and innovative company as AGI, and we look forward to many years of having it help us deliver industry-leading genetic information to our members and customers.”

AGI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Angus Association, Saint Joseph, Mo. The Association is responding to the beef industry by accepting a leadership role regarding the advancement of science and technology. AGI was created to conduct research, perform genetic evaluation services and implement new genomic technologies to benefit the beef industry and all producers who use Angus genetics.

— Adapted from a release provided by the American Angus Association
and the North American Limousin Foundation.