Annual Enhancements to TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE) – December 2025
Angus Australia is pleased to announce that several important enhancements will shortly be made to the calculation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for Angus cattle in Australia and New Zealand.
The enhancements form part of the annual updates that are applied to the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE), with the enhancements scheduled for implementation in the December 2025 analysis (results to be released November 27th 2025, indicative date only).
2025 TACE Enhancements
- Enhancements to the Genetic Evaluation model of Mature Body Composition Traits and Coat Type
- Potential changes to EBVs & Accuracies as AngusNZ migrate to a new data recording system.
Enhancements to the Genetic Evaluation model of Mature Body Composition Traits and Coat Type
The 2025 updates include refinements to the evaluation of Mature Body Condition (MBC), Mature Cow Height (MCH), and Coat Type (CT) traits.
The SNP density used in the genotype imputation pipeline for Coat Type, Mature Body Condition, and Hip Height will increase from 45,364 SNPs to 61,105 SNPs. These enhancements are designed to strengthen the accuracy and stability of EBVs by increasing the number of SNPs considered in the calculation of the Mature Body Condition (MBC), Mature Cow Height (MCH) and Coat Type (CT) trait EBVs.
These updates support breeders in making informed selection decisions regarding mature cow composition traits and coat type.
Potential changes to EBVs & Accuracies as AngusNZ migrate to a new data recording system
The transition of Angus New Zealand (AngusNZ) to a new data recording system will also result in minor changes to some EBVs and accuracies of animals within the December 2025 TACE analysis.
While this transition primarily affects the New Zealand component of the TACE population, some Australian animals may also experience changes due to shared pedigree and genomic linkages across the Trans-Tasman evaluation.
Supporting the Ongoing Development of Angus Breeding
The TACE updates reflect Angus Australia’s ongoing focus on supporting progressive and informed breeding decisions.
Each year, refinements are applied to ensure EBVs, and selection tools remain relevant, reliable, and useful for breeders in making practical decisions for their herds.
Carel Teseling, Chief Operations Officer at Angus Australia, said, “These refinements help ensure TACE continues to provide breeders with clear and reliable information to guide selection decisions, while keeping pace with the data and technology available today.”
Nancy Crawshaw, Extension Manager at Angus Australia, added, “The annual updates are part of our ongoing commitment to supporting members with practical tools for herd improvement. We encourage members to review the updates and consider how they may inform their breeding decisions.”
Ongoing Support for Angus Australia Members
To ensure that all members are well-prepared for the December updates, Nancy Crawshaw, Acting Extension Manager at Angus Australia, announced that comprehensive explanatory materials will be distributed to Angus Australia members later in November. These resources will provide clear guidance on how the changes will affect breeding decisions.
“We encourage our members to reach out with any questions they may have about the 2025 TACE enhancements,” said Ms. Crawshaw. “Whether before or after the December update, our team is here to support breeders as they navigate these exciting enhancements.”
Stay Updated on TACE Enhancements
Angus Australia members are encouraged to visit the Angus Australia website and read the Angus Weekly electronic newsletter for more detailed information on the 2025 TACE enhancements. Updates will also be shared across Angus Australia’s social media channels throughout November and December.
For further information, please contact:
Nancy Crawshaw
Extension Manager
Phone: +61 2 6773 4643
Email: nancy.crawshaw@angusaustralia.com.au
Brad Hine
Extension Officer
Phone: +61 2 6773 4613
Email: brad.hine@angusaustralia.com.au
