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At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of data.  While [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_quality data quality] is critical, quantity of data collected can sometimes overcome the limitations on data quality that inherently occur in farm and ranch operations.  Along with weights and scores for economically relevant traits and their indicator traits, accurate identification of animals, parents, [[contemporary groups]], and other important details (e.g., age) are essential.  
#REDIRECT [[:Category:Data Collection]]
At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of data.  While [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_quality data quality] is critical, the quantity of data collected can sometimes overcome the limitations on data quality that inherently occur in farm and ranch operations.  Along with weights and scores for [[Economically Relevant Traits | economically relevant traits]] and their [[Indicator_Traits | indicators]], accurate [[Identification Systems | identification of animals]], parents, [[Contemporary Groups | contemporary groups]], and other important details (e.g., age) are essential. (Go [[Traits | here for a list of traits and their definitions)]].
=Collection of data to enter genetic evaluation=
At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of high-quality data. Data quality can be impacted by [https://www.precisely.com/blog/data-quality/data-quality-dimensions-measure several clearly identified factors].  While completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and conformity are all essential, consistency is often the least understood and most overlooked consideration for quality data.  Using consistent procedures for collecting, recording, manipulating and [[Data_Processing | processing data]] at both the farm and association levels is the most important aspect to maintaining quality data. 


Data quality can be impacted by [https://smartbridge.com/data-done-right-6-dimensions-of-data-quality-part-1/ several clearly identified factors].  Completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and conformity are all essential, consistency is often the least understood and most overlooked consideration for quality data.  Collecting, recording, manipulating and processing data using consistent procedures at both the farm and association levels is essential to maintaining quality data.   
In order to keep all data collected associated with an individual animal, an effective [[Identification Systems | beef cattle identification system]] is essentialStandards have been developed for identification methods that ensure unique and accurate identification of animals during the transmission and processing of data, including [[Genomic Data | genomic information.]] Because the number of animals processed in [[:Category:Genetic Evaluation | genetic evaluation]] is routinely in the millions, it is not practical to routinely use registration number information for on-farm data collection. Ear tagging and on-farm electronic identification are often implemented in place of using a full registration identifier.   


=Beef Identification Systems=
Historically, many beef breed genetic evaluations were based on progeny weaned and/or registered and did not require that data be recorded from females that failed to reproduce or whose progeny were not registered.  By contrast, inventory-based [[Whole Herd Reporting]] (WHR) requires the collection of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd.  Where possible, [[Whole_Herd_Reporting | whole herd reporting]] is recommended to capture the greatest amount of complete cowherd information.  [[Whole Herd Reporting#Performance recording requirements | Data recording on individual cows]] is essential for the prediction of female fertility. Cow fertility is often the most important determinant of profitability in the beef herd. Additionally, accurate and complete cow data are essential for the prediction of traits with a maternal influence (e.g. [[Weaning_Weight | weaning weight]]).  The [[Whole Herd Reporting#Performance recording requirements | female production data]] to be recorded on each cow must be standardized because it is often the most complex data that a producer deals with.
<span style="color:red">NOTE: THIS SECTION IS OUTDATED AND SHOULD BE WRITTEN FOR INTERNATIONAL ID STANDARDS</span>


Unique identification (ID) of cattle within the nation's beef herd is required for accurate genetic evaluation and subsequent improvement by selection.  In [[Appendix 2.1]], a uniform coding system for identifying bull semen is described, and in [[Appendix 2.2]], an international system assigning letters to calf birth years is presented.  Both were developed by the National Association of Animal Breeders.  
Regardless of whether using an [[Whole Herd Reporting | inventory-based reporting system]] or not, accurate phenotypic data collection is vital to genetic evaluation.  Collection of complete and accurate data on [[Whole_Herd_Reporting#Performance_record_requirements | calves, bulls, heifers, mature cows]], or fed cattle (including [[Required_Carcass_Data_Collection_for_Use_in_Genetic_Evaluations| carcass data]]) is critical to making genetic improvement. Producers may also be interested in working with their breed associations to provide data for [[Traits | novel traits]], where EPDs may be under development.  When reporting these data, it is also vital to include appropriate [[Contemporary Groups | contemporary grouping]] information to ensure that the data are appropriately incorporated into the evaluation.  Using consistent methods for taking animals' weights, measures, and scores is key to accurate data. Additionally, using a commercial or breed association supplied performance recording software helps to improve the consistency of data collection and reporting.  Producers are encouraged to contact their breed associations to obtain recommendations on what software may be compatible with their systems.


Two key elements in an identification system are 1) a premises ID to uniquely identify an operation or producer and 2) an individual identification for each animal on a premises.
[[Data Collection for Commercial Producers | Data collected by commercial cattle producers]] are, in most cases, substantially different than data collection requirements for seedstock producers.
 
Historically, a premises ID has been used to identify the participating rancher.  This is commonly a member code that is assigned by a breed association in order that the member may conduct business with the association.  A premises ID could further be used to identify location, management group, and contemporary group information. 
 
The identification of individual animals within a particular ranch has several benefits. In seedstock production, the documentation of identity matched to a unique registration number that is tied to a pedigree is an essential component of merchandising.  Individual animal identification also is essential to ownership issues and effective management and documentation of data for performance recording and evaluation.
Individual ID on a registered animal is currently handled by utilizing a unique registration number assigned by a breed association, tied to a within-herd ID number administered by the breeder. Traditionally, the within-herd number is a permanent number attached to the animal in the form of a tattoo or a brand. These numbers (tattoos or brands) may be unique to that ranch of origin, but duplicates may occur from operation to operation. Though not a foolproof system, when tied with other tools such as blood typing and DNA analysis, breeders have confidence in this identification method.
 
Technological advances will allow for new methods of identifying animals, especially as hardware cost decreases and infrastructure is developed.  Radio frequency devices (e.g., tags and implants), biometric identification (e.g., retinal imaging), and DNA technologies all are receiving increased interest as a significant segment of identification programs. These technologies will allow for an efficient interface with electronic data transfer.
 
Today, a tremendous amount of interest is developing in a national identification system for all beef cattle. Basically all that is needed is to utilize the unique animal number recorded in an identified production unit. This would be a useful resource in issues including animal health and disease surveillance programs, building consumer confidence in food safety, enhancing international trade, increasing the efficiency of performance recording and national cattle evaluation, and finally for process and source verification associated with premium branded programs, alliances, and cooperatives. In the future, individual animal identification at the ranch of origin may become a necessary element of market accessibility for the commercial beef cattle producer.
 
BIF encourages data exchange and interfacing among data management and software companies.  However, this raises many issues concerning the ownership and rights to use of the data.  Reasonable data security is necessary and should be guaranteed before data are entered into a system.  Written rules governing the sharing and transfer of information from one party to another should be agreed upon in advance between owners and others interested in the genetic improvement of beef cattle.

Latest revision as of 17:48, 12 April 2021

At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of data. While data quality is critical, the quantity of data collected can sometimes overcome the limitations on data quality that inherently occur in farm and ranch operations. Along with weights and scores for economically relevant traits and their indicators, accurate identification of animals, parents, contemporary groups, and other important details (e.g., age) are essential. (Go here for a list of traits and their definitions).

Collection of data to enter genetic evaluation

At the core of genetic improvement is the collection of high-quality data. Data quality can be impacted by several clearly identified factors. While completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and conformity are all essential, consistency is often the least understood and most overlooked consideration for quality data. Using consistent procedures for collecting, recording, manipulating and processing data at both the farm and association levels is the most important aspect to maintaining quality data.

In order to keep all data collected associated with an individual animal, an effective beef cattle identification system is essential. Standards have been developed for identification methods that ensure unique and accurate identification of animals during the transmission and processing of data, including genomic information. Because the number of animals processed in genetic evaluation is routinely in the millions, it is not practical to routinely use registration number information for on-farm data collection. Ear tagging and on-farm electronic identification are often implemented in place of using a full registration identifier.

Historically, many beef breed genetic evaluations were based on progeny weaned and/or registered and did not require that data be recorded from females that failed to reproduce or whose progeny were not registered.  By contrast, inventory-based Whole Herd Reporting (WHR) requires the collection of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd. Where possible, whole herd reporting is recommended to capture the greatest amount of complete cowherd information. Data recording on individual cows is essential for the prediction of female fertility. Cow fertility is often the most important determinant of profitability in the beef herd. Additionally, accurate and complete cow data are essential for the prediction of traits with a maternal influence (e.g. weaning weight). The female production data to be recorded on each cow must be standardized because it is often the most complex data that a producer deals with.

Regardless of whether using an inventory-based reporting system or not, accurate phenotypic data collection is vital to genetic evaluation. Collection of complete and accurate data on calves, bulls, heifers, mature cows, or fed cattle (including carcass data) is critical to making genetic improvement. Producers may also be interested in working with their breed associations to provide data for novel traits, where EPDs may be under development. When reporting these data, it is also vital to include appropriate contemporary grouping information to ensure that the data are appropriately incorporated into the evaluation. Using consistent methods for taking animals' weights, measures, and scores is key to accurate data. Additionally, using a commercial or breed association supplied performance recording software helps to improve the consistency of data collection and reporting. Producers are encouraged to contact their breed associations to obtain recommendations on what software may be compatible with their systems.

Data collected by commercial cattle producers are, in most cases, substantially different than data collection requirements for seedstock producers.