Simmental
& SimGenetics Cattle
Data Driven.
Member Focused.

The ASA Annual Meeting and Board Meeting is officially scheduled for
January 13–15 at the Marriot Hotel Gateway Park, Denver, CO.

We are looking forward to collaborative discussions to shape the year ahead. Stay tuned for details and the official agenda coming soon.

Mark your calendars now. We can’t wait to see you there!

The American Simmental Association’s Fall Focus was recently featured on RFD-TV, showcasing the 2026 event held August 28–29 in Bozeman, Montana.

Highlights included an interactive panel with Dr. Jerry Lipsey exploring pivotal moments in ASA’s history, along with an outstanding lineup of speakers addressing profitability, beef economics and demand, and selection tools to help guide future breeding decisions.

The American Simmental Association is excited to announce the hire of Kaitlyn Cloud as Events and Foundation Manager. Cloud is originally from Carthage, Missouri, where she grew up involved in her family’s meat processing business and farm. She has been actively involved in the beef industry throughout her life, and was a member of the American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA). Cloud spent four years on the AJSA Board of Trustees, serving as President for a term.

Update 10/16/2026

by Dr. Elizabeth Dressler, ASA Lead Geneticist

The American Simmental Association (ASA) published a research release of the updated $API and $TI index values and percentile rankings on September 16, 2026. The ASA and IGS Science Team greatly appreciate the engagement and feedback received thus far. Through this process, we’ve identified an improvement we can make to better model progeny profitability. The correlation between updated index values in version 1 and 2 of the research release is high. A revised version of the research release is now available utilizing EPDs current as of October 15, 2026.

Spring calving is just around the corner, which means that the 2027 Spring Total Herd Enrollment (THE) season is open now. Get the best returns for the time and money you’ve invested into your herd by enrolling in THE!

Submit your inventory:

Early (by Dec 15, 2026)

For more than 20 years, the original $API and $TI served the breed well. But when it came to breed composition, the model was relatively broad. One general relative-emphasis framework was applied across cattle.

I think of it like reading glasses from the drugstore — they can work, but they rely on broad assumptions. The updated indexes work more like prescription glasses, tailored to the individual. The model now evaluates Simmental breed composition in 10% increments, allowing the relative emphasis on traits to change as breed composition changes.

Accounts with unpaid annual service fees (ASF) were recently updated to inactive status. In order to keep your account active, ASFs must be paid and at least one animal record must be registered and/or transferred within the last two years.

Accounts must be in an active status to vote in the ongoing trustee election and to vote on rule and bylaw amendments. If you have any questions, contact ASA’s Membership Department at 406-587-4531 or members@simmgene.com.

ASA DNA Services Specialist:

Full-time, On-site The American Simmental Association (ASA), headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, is seeking a full-time staff member to join its established DNA Services team. This position plays an important role in supporting ASA members, cattle producers, and industry partners through the coordination, facilitation, and reporting of DNA and genomic testing. Ideal for individuals with a strong interest in the cattle industry, this role combines cross-departmental collaboration with detailed, accurate record management.

The Hydrops Information Center is your source for the latest information and resources regarding the reported hydrops pregnancies in a line of Simmental cows. 

Understanding Selection Indexes with Troy Rowan

In this episode of Profit Through Science,

Dr. Ben Crites and Dr. Jon DeClerck sit down with Dr. Troy Rowan of the University of Tennessee to break down the basics of selection indexes and how cattle producers can use them to make more informed breeding decisions.

What is a selection index actually designed to predict? How do you choose the right index for your operation? And what do the numbers mean when comparing potential breeding animals?

Dr. Rowan explains the purpose of selection indexes, addresses common misconceptions, and shares practical insights on putting indexes to work in genetic selection. Whether you're a seedstock producer or a commercial cattleman, understanding how to use these tools can help align genetic decisions with your operation's goals.

Tune in to learn how to better understand selection indexes and use them to make genetic decisions that drive long-term profitability.

Profit Through Science is the official podcast of the American Simmental Association, exploring the science, tools, and strategies that help.

Listen to the latest episode of Profit Through Science now.