By Scout Nelson
University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists will play a key role in a national webinar series this October highlighting the latest decision support tools for the beef industry. The free series will be delivered via Zoom on October 1, 8, 15, and 22 at noon Central time, offering beef producers and students an opportunity to learn from leading animal science experts.
Sessions will feature top researchers in beef genetics and production efficiency. Nebraska faculty will host and present in two of the four sessions, showing the university’s leadership in beef systems research and Extension.
On October 8, Matt Spangler, UNL professor of animal science, will discuss iGENDEC, an innovative tool for both beef × beef and beef × dairy index construction. Spangler will also host the October 15 session, which highlights USDA Agricultural Research Service germplasm evaluation research at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska.
“Nebraska is at the forefront of research that directly benefits beef producers,” Spangler said. “This series provides an opportunity to connect producers with tools they can use to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability.”
The full schedule begins October 1 with updates on beef industry selection tools, including maternal trait selection in Angus cattle and iGENDEC-based selection indexes. October 8 focuses on innovation in selection index development with presentations from UNL and University of Kentucky experts.
The October 15 session explores U.S. Meat Animal Research Center data and its use in across-breed EPD adjustment factors. The series concludes October 22 with a look at beef industry sustainability and efficiency, covering methane concerns and a preview of the 2026 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Symposium.
Registration is free and open to the public at the Zoom provided link. Participants will receive a confirmation email with details to join the webinars, and recordings will be available after each session for those unable to attend live. This series offers practical, science-based tools for improving decision-making across the beef industry.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-erdinhasdemir
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle