Piedmontese are now included in the USDA Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) Project.
Early USDA research, using the WGS of some 42 different breeds, into the genetic components involved in Pulmonary Hypertension (High Altitude or Brisket Disease) has found that a single gene (EPAS1) and it's associated protein (HIF2A) occur in about seven different forms (variants) in cattle populations, and at least one of these appears to cause Pulmonary Hypertension (Altitude or Brisket Disease). In this USDA sample, the Piedmontese do not carry the "negative" form of the gene at all, and 90% carry the desirable form of the gene. Read the full Research Report HERE .
Piedmontese were included over several years of in-depth research by the USDA, in the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) Germplasm Evaluations.
More than 20 other breeds were involved in comparison study, with data collected on everything from Calving Ease and Gestation Length through to Carcass Performance and Meat Quality, including Tenderness.
Piedmontese-sired animals (1-copy for the inactive myostatin gene) calved as easily as Angus-cross and produced the highest yielding carcasses of all breeds. The following tables give the overall breed comparisons for the various traits:
Dr. Koohmaraie of the USDA comments on Piedmontese-myostatin effects on tenderness
"Heritabilities and Phenotypic and Genetic Correlations for Bovine Postrigor Calpastatin Activity, Intramuscular Fat Content, Warner- Bratzler Shear Force, Retail Product Yield, and Growth Rate" by S. D. Shackelfordts, M. Koohmaraie, L. V. Cundiff, K. E. Gregory*, G. A. Rohrer", and J. W. Savell *Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, ARS, USDA, Clay Center, NE
"Piedmontese crosses had the lowest WBS (Warner Bratzler Shear Force*) despite having the second-lowest amount of IMF. Additionally, Piedmontese crosses had the fourth most calpastatin activity. Thus, these data suggest that the extreme tenderness of muscle-hypertrophied [Piedmontese] cannot be explained by variation in CA [Calpastatin] or marbling [IMF].
Further studies to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the extreme tenderness of muscle-hypertrophied [Piedmontese] cattle must be conducted."