Measuring docility to improve it
Docility measurements are typically taken at weaning, which has the advantage of all calves having had minimal handling and so can express variation in their temperament. This variation is important because a big part of the temperament we see in animals is the result of their past handling.
Understand what the EBV means in real terms
If I set a threshold of +4.0kg for birth weight and won’t use bulls with EBVs above this, then we will get a set of bulls that reflect this and any other EBV cut offs put in place.
Take care when setting EBV thresholds
The use of set thresholds when making breeding decisions is an important component of utilising EBVs within a breeding program, however if the thresholds are too tight they can impact the potential gains of the program.
Understanding the scale and the trait is paramount
Another common mistake when interpreting EBVs is not understanding what the trait is describing in the performance of the progeny.
Once we understand the trait and what it describes,
Constitution Ballot Poll Results available, Thursday 26th November 2020
Members are advised that the results of the recent Constitution Ballot will be considered by the Angus Australia Board at its meeting on Thursday 26th November, and immediately declared to members via the Angus Australia website.
EBVs describe the average of a parent’s progeny
Any discussion which tries to relate a bull’s EBVs to his own physical appearance or performance is fundamentally flawed. In essence, you are using the temperature gauge to tell how fast the car is going.
Breeding values add value
Gaining a true assessment of a bull’s potential value and the direction he could take the herd can be hard when relying only on physical traits and performance, because of the large impact environmental conditions have.
The average gets left behind
Understanding a bulls influence in your herd
Often the value placed on a bull within a breeding program has a very short-term focus, with high expectations on him and the immediate influence he will have. These expectations often lead to good bulls receiving a less then representative assessment of the value they have delivered to the herd.
EBVs are no bull
EBVs describe expected differences in the performance of progeny and are a prediction of an animal’s genetic merit.
Calculated for a range of traits with the TACE analysis,
