Smart Select Service data management system is being launched by the The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA).  The system provides genetic tools to aid commercial cattlemen in the selection process. It is non-breed specific and is available to commercial producers who want to increase the genetic value of their herds.

Smart Select Service has the goal of being the best value; commercial producers can enroll females for $1 per head. This small enrollment fee equips Smart Select Service members, also known as performance members, with a herd management database to manage all cowherd data from individual performance information to exposure and vaccination information. Herd management reports will be made available to performance members including herd summary reports, dam and progeny reports, and herdsire reports.

In addition, the AGA will be offering performance members access to the feeder profit index (FPI) and Stayability score on both males and females with appropriate data reported. FPI is an economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and on the rail. Stayability scores are used to gauge reproductive longevity of the herd. These scores predict the probability a sire’s daughters will stay productive within a herd past six years of age. These tools will be predicted through the multi-breed cattle evaluation run bi-annually and by doing so, increase the accuracy of prediction of these two parameters to accelerate genetic improvement.

Performance members will be able to take advantage of consultation offered by trained AGA staff. Producers can also take advantage of DNA testing such as parent verification on all animals or the Maternal Edge Female Profile on Gelbvieh influenced animals at the respective test’s additional cost.

“It’s an exciting time in the beef industry. AGA is proud to offer the Smart Select Service to the commercial cow-calf sector, and provide commercial producers with the tools necessary to select for increased genetic change to enhance their bottom line,” says Kelli Retallick, American Gelbvieh Association Data Services Coordinator.

Producers can now enroll females into the online database.