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When using EBVs to assist in selection decisions it is important to remember that only half the EBV differences between animals are expressed in their progeny .

For example, when comparing the expected difference in the 400-Day weights of calves from two bulls, you need to consider half the difference in EBVs between the bulls multiplied by the expected number of calves to be obtained during the normal life of a bull in your herd .

Example: 400-day Wt . EBV
BULL A +60 kg
BULL B +20 kg

Expected difference in 400 day weight:
½ x (60 kg - 20 kg) = 20 kg per calf

Total gain over 3 years of use, with 25 calves per year:
25 calves x 3 years x 20kg = 1500kg

(plus further benefits from the future improved performance of daughter’s calves)

This simple calculation can be a useful guide to assist in determining the potential extra revenue you can expect from using a bull with superior growth EBVs . Similar calculations can be made for determining the expected effect on progeny performance of differences in other EBVs .

In selecting bulls for use in your herd it is often helpful to compare their EBV figures relative to the whole drop of bulls for sale . Usually many of the bulls for sale in a sepcific year will come from the calf crop of two years earlier.

The Percentile table lists the EBV percentile bands for calves born in a specific year, for each of the traits included in the Angus GROUP BREEDPLAN analysis. This table provides a guide to the relative ranking of any animal compared with the total performance recorded calves of that birth year.