By Doug Rich, High Plains Journal
Two recent developments could have a long-term positive effect on the beef industry.
First was the formation of the International Genetic Solutions. Second was the development of BOLT, which stands for Biometric Open Language Tools.
IGS began in 2010 when the American Simmental Association and the Red Angus Association of America joined forces to share data with the goal of better serving the commercial beef industry through comparable uniform seed stock evaluation.
Six years later, IGS is a collaboration of 12 breed associations from the United States and Canada. This makes possible a historic multi-breed genetic evaluation. With 16 million total animals and over 340,000 new animals added every year, IGS has the largest beef genetic evaluation system in the world.
