The Beef Enchancment Federation (BIF) is happy to announce the discharge of iGENDEC for developing customized choice indexes, an business first. Whereas generalized choice indexes have been broadly out there to industrial and seedstock producers for a while, a precision agriculture software for constructing customized indexes has not been out there to the business till now.
iGENDEC is a web-based software for developing economically optimum choice indexes for particular manufacturing and advertising conditions. iGENDEC permits index customization by adjustment of financial and manufacturing parameters to replicate distinctive enterprise and manufacturing eventualities, together with sale-point of calves, present phenotypic means, financial parameters, breed(s), and funding planning horizon.
The iGENDEC product was developed with the monetary assist of a USDA NIFA grant with the goal of serving to enterprises make genetic choice selections which are particular to their distinctive circumstances. It was co-developed by a workforce of researchers on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State College, the U.S. Meat Animal Analysis Heart, and Theta Options, LLC.
Dr. Matt Spangler on the College of Nebraska-Lincoln led the analysis and extension workforce that constructed iGENDEC and sees the system benefiting the meat business in quite a few methods. “It advantages industrial producers by serving to them make genetic (usually sire) choice selections which are extra worthwhile. It helps seedstock producers higher advise their industrial bull patrons and it might additionally permit them to make seedstock matings with their future industrial purchaser’s revenue in thoughts,” Spangler says.
BIF permits the collaboration amongst beef producers and the extension and analysis communities to foster continued genetic enchancment. Spangler explains, “iGENDEC is a software that originated from collaboration amongst producers and scientists with the purpose of transferring scientific information into motion. BIF internet hosting this software program appeared like a pure match. It permits for the sustainability of iGENDEC and broad business entry.”
Though the web-based system is person pleasant, the builders strongly encourage that customers possess a strong background in beef cattle genetics, particularly index choice idea or search recommendation from somebody who does. This software can be utilized to develop general-use indexes provided by beef breed associations or custom-made indexes for particular enterprises. iGENDEC can be used as a educating software within the classroom and in extension programming efforts.
iGENDEC is made out there to the business in a wide range of licensing preparations. Funds collected by licenses assist ongoing internet hosting and software program growth of the platform. A free 30-day trial possibility is offered for customers who want to be taught extra in regards to the potential purposes. The software program is made out there to extension educators and instructors at faculties and universities without charge. BIF member breed and state/provincial beef cattle enchancment associations can entry the software program at decreased charges. Extra particulars about iGENDEC, together with an academic video, can be found at: beefimprovement.org/igendec.
