Using these procedures, the genetic improvement in these traits over the past 42 years will be studied and compared to previous studies on the herd. Several side studies have been conducted over the years. Cancer eye in Hereford cattle, which usually occurs later in life, has been shown to be moderately heritable and can be nearly eliminated through selection. Eye, eyelid and pigmentation around the eye studies show these traits to be highly heritable. Udder shape and teat size and shape is also highly heritable.
Hoof length is highly heritable.
All of these problem traits can be effectively selected against and eliminated from the herd. Cattlemen at high altitudes can use bulls with low PAP values to eliminate this problem from their herd. All bulls sold at the Center are measured for PAP values. Research at the Center has provided opportunities for graduate student research projects. Over 40 M.S. theses and Ph.D. dissertations have been written on data collected at the Center.