Summary
BIRTH |
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| Calving Ease Direct | (%) | Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s calves to be born unassisted from 2 year old heifers. | Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers. |
| Calving Ease Daughters | (%) | Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s daughters to calve unassisted at 2 years of age. | Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers. |
| Gestation Length | days | Genetic differences between animals in the length of time from the date of conception to the birth of the calf. | Lower EBVs indicate shorter gestation length. |
| Birth Weight | kg | Genetic differences between animals in calf weight at birth. | Lower EBVs indicate lighter birth weight. |
GROWTH |
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| 200 Day Growth | kg | Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to genetics for growth. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight. |
| 400 Day Weight | kg | Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 400 days of age. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight. |
| 600 Day Weight | kg | Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 600 days of age. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight. |
| Mature Cow Weight | kg | Genetic differences between animals in live weight of cows at 5 years of age. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier mature weight. |
| Milk | kg | Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to the maternal contribution of its dam. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight. |
FERTILITY |
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| Days to Calving | days | Genetic differences between animals in the time from the start of the joining period (i.e. when the female is introduced to a bull) until subsequent calving. | Lower EBVs indicate shorter time to calving. |
| Scrotal Size | cm | Genetic differences between animals in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age. | Higher EBVs indicate larger scrotal circumference. |
CARCASE |
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| Carcase Weight | kg | Genetic differences between animals in hot standard carcase weight at 750 days of age. | Higher EBVs indicate heavier carcase weight. |
| Eye Muscle Area | cm2 | Genetic differences between animals in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase. | Higher EBVs indicate larger eye muscle area. |
| Rib Fat | mm | Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase. | Higher EBVs indicate more fat. |
| Rump Fat | mm | Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the P8 rump site in a 400 kg carcase. | Higher EBVs indicate more fat. |
| Retail Beef Yield | % | Genetic differences between animals in boned out saleable meat from a 400 kg carcase. | Higher EBVs indicate higher yield. |
| Intramuscular Fat | % | Genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat (marbling) at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase. | Higher EBVs indicate more intramuscular fat. |
FEED EFFICIENCY |
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| Net Feed Intake (Feedlot) | kg/day | Genetic differences between animals in feed intake at a standard weight and rate of weight gain when animals are in a feedlot finishing phase. | Lower EBVs indicate more feed efficiency. |
TEMPERAMENT |
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| Docility | % | Genetic differences between animals in temperament. | Higher EBVs indicate better temperament. |
STRUCTURE |
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| Claw Set | Score | Genetic differences between animals in claw set | Lower EBVs indicate a more desirable structure. |
| Foot Angle | Score | Genetic differences between animals in foot angle | Low EBVs indicate a more desirable structure. |
SELECTION INDEXES |
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| Angus Breeding Index | $ | Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a typical commercial self replacing herd using Angus bulls. This selection index is not specific to a particular production system or market end-point, but identifies animals that will improve overall profitability in the majority of commercial grass and grain finishing beef production systems. | Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability. |
| Domestic Index | $ | Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self replacing herd targeting the domestic supermarket trade. | Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability. |
| Heavy Grain Index | $ | Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self replacing herd targeting pasture grown steers with a 200 day feedlot finishing period for the grain fed high quality, highly marbled markets. | Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability. |
| Heavy Grass Index | $ | Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self replacing herd targeting pasture finished steers. | Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability. |
