The use of DNA technology in beef cattle will be addressed at a June 21 conference at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center.

Attendees will learn about recent advances in the application of DNA technology as it relates to making selection decisions in beef cattle, according to Matt Spangler, UNL Extension beef genetics specialist.

This will include the impacts on accuracy of EPDs, novel discovery work in female reproduction, use of genomic information across breeds, economic considerations of using genomic information, results from the MARC 2,000 Bull Project and research updates regarding issues that the scientific community is currently working on.

All cattle producers, educators and affiliated industry personnel who have a vested interest in the genetic improvement of cattle are encouraged to attend, Spangler says.

Speakers at the meeting include Spangler; Alison Van Eenennaam, animal genomics and biotechnology extension specialist at the University of California-Davis; Bob Weaber, extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Missouri; Mark Thallman, research scientist from U.S. MARC, Tara McDonald from U.S. MARC, and other UNL and MARC scientists.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and end at 5:30 p.m. Registration is $10 to cover handouts, lunch and snacks. For more information, contact Spangler at 402-472-6489, [email protected]. Contact Terri Behl at 402-472-6411, [email protected] by June 10 for meal count.