More Feed Intake Data and Structural Soundness Scores for the Angus Reference Population
A significant volume of feed intake data and structural soundness scores have recently been added to the Angus Australia reference population and included in the Angus TACE analysis.
This data was collected on Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP) Cohort 7 progeny, producing high accuracy Net Feed Intake and Structural Soundness EBVs for the ASBP Cohort 7 sires.
Feed Intake
Feed Intake data has been collected and analysed on steer progeny of the Cohort 7 sires, resulting in Net Feed Intake EBVs, based on direct feed intake data, now being available for 264 sires in Cohorts 1 to 7 of the ASBP.
The feed intake data is collected at UNE’s Tullimba feedlot, Kingstown, NSW through the GrowSafe system. Collectively, this includes feed intake data on 3,496 steers from ASBP Cohorts 1 to 7, with 560 of the records coming from the Cohort 7 bred steers.
Feed intake and serial weight data are used to calculate net feed intake (NFI) values for each steer measured. NFI is a measure of residual feed intake after adjustment for differences in average body weight maintained and growth rate through the test period. Animals with a negative NFI value consume less feed than expected based on their growth rate and body weight maintained. While animals with positive NFI value consume more feed than expected for their growth performance and average body weight.
Importantly, the NFI data collected through the ASBP is analysed in Angus TACE to produce the Net Feed Intake – Feedlot Finishing EBV (NFI-F EBV). This EBV is an estimate of genetic differences between animals in feed intake at a standard weight and rate of weight gain when animals are in a feedlot finishing phase. NFI-F EBVs are expressed as kilograms (kg) of feed intake per day. Lower, or more negative, NFI-F EBVs are more favourable. For example, a bull with a NFI-F EBV of –0.6 kg/day would be expected to produce progeny that consume less feed per day than the progeny from a bull that has a NFI-F EBV of +0.8 kg/day (when the progeny are of similar weight, are growing at a similar rate, and are in a feedlot finishing phase).
Listed in Table 1 are Cohort 7 ASBP sires that have an above average Angus Breeding Index (ABI) and a below average (i.e. more efficient) NFI-F EBV.
Structural Soundness
Feet and leg structural soundness scores, evaluated using the Beef Class system (Figure 1), has been collected on 1,039 Cohort 7 steer and heifer progeny. The steer progeny were assessed following approximately 100 days on feed around 16 months of age, while the heifers were assessed on farm at approximately 18 months of age.
Across Cohorts 1 to 7 of the ASBP, 6,181 progeny have now been assessed for the structural soundness traits, added to the Angus Australia reference population and analysed through Angus TACE.
A list of the “top 10” Cohort 7 sires for each Structural Soundness EBV is shown in Tables 2 to 6.
Structural Soundness EBVS are interpreted as estimates of genetic differences between animals in desirable feet and leg structure. A higher EBV indicates that an animal will produce a higher percentage of progeny with desirable structure. There are five Structural Soundness EBVs produced being:
- Front Feet Angle (FA)
- Front Feet Claw Set (FC)
- Rear Feet Angle(RA)
- Rear Leg Hind View (RH)
- Rear Leg Side View (RS)
The latest NFI and Structural Soundness EBVs for all sires in the ASBP are available from the Angus Australia website through angus.tech and the ASBPSELECT tool (https://angus.tech/enquiry/animal/asbp). Progeny average values and rankings for NFI are also listed in updated ASBP Progeny Performance Reports.
For further information please contact Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager on 0457 457 141 or christian@angusaustralia.com.au
