The US beef and dairy industries have made remarkable advances in sustainability and productivity through technological advancements, including selective breeding. Yet, challenges persist due to the complex nature of quantitative traits. While the beef industry has progressed in adopting genomic technologies, the availability of phenotypic data remains an obstacle. To meet the need for sustainable production systems, novel traits are being targeted for selection. Additionally, emerging approaches such as genome editing and high-throughput phenotyping hold promise for further genetic progress. Future research should address the challenges of translating functional genomic findings into practical applications, while simultaneously harnessing analytical methods.

The current article is a forward-looking synopsis to provide insights into the current state of the industry and some areas where future work may hold additional promise. The integration of genomics into the dairy and beef industries is multifaceted and will impact production gains, identification and management of genetic diseases, and streamlined breeding and selection approaches. Veterinarians are uniquely poised to educate clients, integrate genomic data with existing metrics, and assist in decision-making that will impact the future shape of the global herd.

This article discusses different options and best practices for sample types and sample collection devices for downstream genotyping in today's sophisticated animal husbandry systems. Best practices for sample collection, shipping, and submission of samples are shown and an overview of techniques for laboratory analysis is provided. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the generation of useful and meaningful results for the client.

In the evolving landscape of beef cattle management, veterinarians are transitioning from their traditional role of treating diseases to becoming proactive advisors. This article explores how veterinarians with knowledge of genetic tools are poised to be vital in addressing the fundamental industry challenges. It highlights the role of genetic selection in reducing calving difficulties, emphasizing its benefits for animal health and welfare. The article also surveys the genomic technologies available and discusses the importance of integrating these insights with veterinary expertise to support informed decisions in selection, mating, and marketing strategies.

This article talks about how genomic evaluation has changed how sires are selected in the major dairy and beef breeds. The population of bulls being evaluated for dairy herd sire usage has grown perhaps 10 to 20 fold through the use of genomic screening of potential sires prior to purchase and admission to a bull stud. The number actually standing at stud has not changed. Genomic evaluation in both beef and dairy breeds has been an important component in the substantial growth of the beef (sire) on dairy (cow) phenomena.

Genetic evaluations in beef cattle have evolved over the past 50 years relative to the hardware or software used, the statistical methodology underpinning them, and the traits evaluated. However, the underlying premise has remained the same; to generate predictions of genetic merit such that selection decisions can be made that materialize as phenotypic changes in commercial animals. The wide-spread availability and adoption of genomic technology has enabled more accurate genetic predictions of young animals albeit with the requirement of continual collection and reporting of phenotypic data.

Genetic mutations, both favorable and unfavorable, are the raw material for improvement in livestock populations. The random inheritance of these mutations is essential for generating progenies with genetic potential greater than their parents. These mutations can act either in a simple manner, such that a single alteration disrupts phenotype, or in a complex manner where hundreds or thousands of mutations of small effect create a continuous distribution of phenotypes. Selection tools leverage phenotypic records, pedigrees, and genomics to estimate the genetic potential of individual animals. This more accurate accounting of genetic potential has generated enormous gains in livestock populations.

The European and global dairy breeding industry has benefited enormously from collaboration and sharing of data. The new era of genomics has disrupted the information flow due to the requirement to protect commercial investments. New trait phenotypes, evaluation models, and breeding goals continue to evolve and will impact the way national and proprietary data are shared and presented to the dairy industry. The global nature of cattle breeding will, however, continue to require some form of collaboration, even under the new ways of working.

The article shows the case for using biosecurity measures to mitigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in beef and dairy production through actions of veterinarians and animal caretakers. The impact of biosecurity on the prevention of bacterial infections is discussed, with the goal being to reduce the need for antimicrobial drugs. This is expected to reduce the selection for AMR in pathogens and commensal bacterial organisms in beef and dairy animals. The potential impact of biosecurity on the prevention of dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria and AMR genes in the environment is also described.

As veterinary practitioners serve modern dairies and ranches, genetic consultation is an area that many practitioners are implementing to bring value to their clients. As an unbiased professional with intimate knowledge of the herd's health and management practices and vision for the future, veterinarians are uniquely positioned to provide this consultative service.

Although a significant cost, genotyping an entire population offers many benefits, many of which can reduce the workload and effort in decision-making on farm. As well as providing more accurate predictions of the genetic merit of individuals (and by extension their expected performance), national genotyping strategies enable complete traceability from the cradle to the grave as well as parentage discovery. The information available per animal aids more informed breeding and management decisions, including mating advice, and determining the optimal role and eventual fate of each animal.

Transboundary animal disease (TAD) investigations are conducted routinely across the United States to rule out diseases of significant economic, trade, and/or food security importance. Established protocols exist for TAD investigations and disease response based on national and international policy; however, now more than ever, private practitioners may be called upon to assist in these investigations and response activities and may play an important role in communications, sample collection, and disease surveillance. Successful implementation of disease investigation and response, with or without vaccination, requires a collaborative effort between regulatory officials, industry groups, private practitioners, and producers.

Rinderpest is a highly contagious viral disease that affects ungulates such as cattle, buffalo, yak, and various wildlife species, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The global eradication of rinderpest was successfully accomplished in 2011 through extensive vaccination efforts. Today, safeguarding against the re-emergence of rinderpest in animal populations is paramount. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health are entrusted through a series of resolutions with the responsibility to prevent the re-emergence of rinderpest in animals.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and buffaloes. Rift valley fever virus (RVFV), the causative agent of RVF, can also infect humans. RVFV is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) that is primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes or exposure to infected blood. RVFV was first isolated and characterized in the Rift Valley of Kenya in 1931 and is endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including Comoros and Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia and Yemen), and Mayotte.

Reemerging and notifiable diseases of cattle and bison continue to pose potential risks to their health and lives and affecting production and the livelihoods of producers. It is essential to understand the clinical presentation of these diseases to watch for possible incursions and infections and to immediately report your suspicions to your State and Federal Animal Health Officials. Three of these reemerging and notifiable diseases of cattle and bison, malignant catarrhal fever, bluetongue virus, and New World screwworm, are presented in this article for increased awareness to consider as a differential if examinations present suggestive clinical signs.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is one of the six high impact diseases for which currently World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has established an official procedure for recognition of disease-free status for trade purposes. Although its exact distribution, incidence, and impact have not been well established, the disease is known to be endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, where it has a severe socio-economic impact on people's livelihoods. Control or elimination of the disease can be achieved by various strategies including vaccination, movement control, and stamping-out. Due to many factors, countries in sub-Saharan Africa are still struggling with this disease, compromising continental and global eradication. In this review, basic epidemiologic features and clinical signs of CBPP are presented and disease control challenges, particularly in endemic countries, are briefly discussed.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a viral infection of livestock that is an important determinant of global trade in animal products. The disease causes a highly contagious vesicular syndrome of cloven-hoofed animals. Successful control of FMD is dependent upon early detection and recognition of the clinical signs, followed by appropriate notification and response of responsible government entities. Awareness of the clinical signs of FMD amongst producers and veterinary practitioners is therefore the key in protecting US agriculture from the catastrophic impacts of an FMD outbreak. This review summarizes key clinical and epidemiologic features of FMD from a US perspective.

Transboundary animal diseases are defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation's Emergency Prevention System as those diseases that are of significant economic, trade and/or food security importance, which can easily spread to other countries and reach epidemic proportions, and where control/management including exclusion requires cooperation among several countries. The Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases represents a platform of the FAO and World Organisation for Animal Health to engage regional sub-regional organizations and national veterinary authorities in developing and monitoring progress in animal disease management efforts.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a contagious non-zoonotic viral disease of cattle. The disease raises great concern due to the recent rapid spread toward free countries and reoccurrence in countries where control and preventive measures had achieved eradication. Deep nodules involving skin, subcutaneous tissue, and occasionally muscles are localized mostly in the head, neck, perineum, genitalia, udder, and limbs. LSD can cause large economic losses mainly because of the decline in milk production and the decrease in hide value, in addition to the ban of movement of animals and animal products.