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Charles Gaskins Professor and Animal Scientist Ph.D., Ohio State University Phone: (509) 335-6416 E-mail: gaskins@wsu.edu

BEEF CATTLE GENETICS AND COMPUTER MODELING. My major interest is in quantitative genetics with emphasis on the improvement of biological and economic efficiency of beef cattle production. Our current research involves the genetic improvement of marbling and other carcass quality and quantity traits using Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle. Research includes progeny testing Wagyu sires and the analysis and comparison of the fatty acids in beef muscle from different breeds and among Wagyu sires. We have developed computer models to evaluate crossbreeding and selection systems in beef cattle, effects of selection for growth on reproductive performance and for the utilization of energy by animals with different genetic potentials.

Specific Research Areas:

• Develop and evaluate breeding systems of cattle, which produce very high quality beef. Progeny testing of Wagyu sires for fatty acids, marbling and other carcass traits and evaluation of marbling in cattle with varying percentages of Wagyu genes.
• Evaluate the utilization of heterosis in crossbreeding systems using gene models.
• Evaluate the biological and economic value of the use of DNA markers in the genetic improvement of quantitative traits in beef cattle using simulation models.
  

Selected Publications:

1. O’Fallon, J.V., J.R. Busboom, M. L. Nelson, and C.T. Gaskins.  2007.  A direct method for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) synthesis: Application to wet meat tissues, oils and feedstuffs.   J. Anim Sci. 85:1511–1521.
2. Gaskins, C.T., G.D. Snowder, M.K. Westman, and M. Evans.  2005.  Influence of Body Weight, Age, and Weight Gain on Fertility and Prolificacy in Four Breeds of Ewe Lambs.  J. Anim Sci. 83:1680-1689.
3. Baker, D.A., C.R. Shumway, C.T. Gaskins, and A.C. Linton. 2004. Selecting Artificial Insemination Beef Sires for Maximum Profit. Prof. Anim Sci. 20:336-343.
4. Rogers, P.L., C.T. Gaskins, K.A. Johnson and M.D. MacNeil.  2004.  Evaluating Longevity Of Composite Beef Females Using Survival Analysis Techniques.   J. Anim. Sci. 82:860-866.
5. Rogers, P.L., C.T. Gaskins and K.A. Johnson.  2002.  Cow efficiency and calf growth to weaning of purebred Wagyu and Angus cows with purebred and reciprocally crossed calves.  Western Section Proceedings Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 53:30-33.
6. Gaskins, C.T., D.M. de Avila, J.A. Elías Calles and J.J. Reeves.  2001.  2001 National Wagyu Sire Summary. Washington State University.  Pullman, WA.
7. Elías Calles, J.A., C.T. Gaskins, J.R. Busboom, S.K. Duckett, J.J. Reeves, S.M. Smith and R.W. Wright, Jr. 2000.  Differences among Wagyu sires for USDA carcass traits and palatability attributes of cooked ribeye steaks. J. Anim. Sci. 78:1710-1715.
8. Elías Calles, J.A., C.T. Gaskins, J.R. Busboom, S.K. Duckett, J.D. Cronrath and J.J. Reeves. 2000. Sire variation in fatty acid composition of crossbred Wagyu steers and heifers. Meat. Sci. 56(1) pp. 23-29.
9. Gilbert, R.P., C.T. Gaskins, J.K. Hillers and C.F. Parker.  1988.  Genetic and environmental factors affecting immunoglobulin G1 concentrations in ewe colostrum and lamb serum at 36 hours.  J.  Anim. Sci. 66:855.
10. Clarke, S.E., C.T. Gaskins, J.K. Hillers and W.D. Hohenboken.  1984.  Mathematical modeling of alternative culling and selection strategies in beef production.  J. Anim. Sci. 598:308.