CARCASS MERIT PROJECT: DNA MARKER VALIDATION

The Carcass Merit Project (CMP) was initiated in 1998 stemming from concern over the frequency of unsatisfactory eating experiences due to inadequate tenderness. The project was funded by America's beef producers through the $1 per head checkoff, by the participating breed associations, and by MMI Genomics, Inc. The primary goal of the project was to provide the tools and mechanisms to genetically identify superior animals in the U.S. beef cattle population that will produce progeny with the greatest potential for meeting the demands of consumers. The participating breed associations generated individual databases that allowed the development of EPDs for important carcass traits, including Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensory attributes. In addition, genetic markers for economically important carcass and consumer satisfaction traits were validated in the general U.S. beef cattle population. The markers evaluated resulted from previous checkoff-funded research at Texas A&M University (TAMU). At completion, carcass data have been collected on over 8,200 progeny of project sires. DNA marker analysis was completed on progeny of 70 sires representing 13 breeds. Four universities, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and 13 breed associations cooperated with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) on the Carcass Merit Project. Shear force and sensory panel data was collected at Kansas State University. MMI Genomics performed the primary DNA laboratory work for the study. Dr. Dan Moser of Kansas State University acted as the facilitator and liaison to the breed associations. Texas A&M University conducted the quality control testing for the project and per- formed the DNA marker statistical analysis on an individual sire basis. An independent validation of the TAMU analysis, as well as a breed-wide and project-wide analysis of marker data was performed by the U. S. Meat Animal Research Center. A secure data- base containing all the relevant data for the project has been maintained by Cornell University. Colorado State University economists have estimated economic returns to producers using carcass EPDs for cattle selection.