Animal breeding and genetics have changed significantly over the past decades. Genetic improvement of beef cattle use to be largely dependent on visual appraisal. While this remains extremely valuable in selection programs, beef cattle breeding is now based predominately on the use of technology. The development of computer and information technology had a major impact on data collection and genetic evaluation procedures, allowing incorporation of new traits and comparison of breeding values across herds, breeds and countries. Today's consumers are increasingly aware of health, environmental and animal welfare issues. Successful genetic improvement programs for a sustainable beef industry need to balance these issues with price and production efficiency. This chapter reviews some historical and current aspects related to the genetic improvement programs in the US beef cattle industry. The focus is on challenges, opportunities and innovations related to use of genetics and genomics technologies to address current and future issues facing the beef industry.
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