Graduate Research Programs: Genetics
The Department of Animal Sciences offers graduate studies in Animal Breeding and Genetics. This program covers the theoretical, computational, and biological aspects of the evaluation of animals in multi-breed populations of beef cattle for both additive and non-additive genetic effects.
A 250-cow herd composed of Angus, Brahman, Brangus, and Angus-Brahman crossbred group has been developed as a means to provide multi-breed data on reproduction, growth, and carcass traits. Genetic research on this multi-breed heard is conducted in coordination with research in nutrition, management, physiology, and meat science.
Meat tenderness in the Angus and Brahman breeds is another area of on-going research as well as heat tolerance of Bos taurus cattle (due to a single major gene). Several of these studies are in conjunction with the Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (Co-op with USDA-ARS) at Chinsegut Hill, seven miles north of Brooksville, Florida.
Breeding & Genetics Faculty:
Mauricio A. Elzo, Ph.D. (beef)
Timothy A. Olson, Ph.D. (beef/dairy)
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This is an Angus-Braunvieh F1 cross utilized in a cross-breeding program at the Beef Teaching Unit, Brooksville, Florida.
This picture shows Brahman cows and a Simmental bull with highly productive F1 calves.
This Holstein cow possesses the "slick-hair" gene as noted by the shorter hair coat. Researchers at UF believe this gene is responsible for heat tolerance in cattle.