Interest in the use of genetics is at an all time high in the beef cattle industry. Producers are using DNA technology in which homozygosity for the polled condition and black color condition can be determined. These are dominant conditions in which the heterozygote carrier of the recessive condition is not visually discernable from the dominant homozygote. A large number of breeds with varying genetic potentials is available for use by the industry. Producers are interested in how these breeds compare for different traits and how breeds adapt to different environmental conditions.
Producers are also interested in crossbreeding for commercial beef production.
The final measure of success in beef production is a nutritious, tender, and favorable product. Because of the importance of these traits, many breed associations are publishing EPD's for carcass traits. These are and will be used more fully by producers in the future. Two problems arise because of this. First, all traits are genetically related and some of these relationships are not positive in terms of making genetic improvement.