Page 10 - Ngaputahi 2021 Catalogue eBook

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TACE - TRANSTASMAN ANGUS CATTLE EVALUATION
TransTasman Cattle Evaluation is a modern
genetic evaluation programme for beef cattle
breeders. It compares cattle on the basis of their
breeding values.
TransTasman Cattle Evaluation (TACE) is formerly known not its overall performance which has been influenced by
as BreedPlan. TACE provides predictions of the genetic environmental and other non-genetic effects.
merit of individual animals called Estimated Breeding Early approaches to performance recording used the ratio
Values (EBVs). These EBVs are used by Angus breeders and system. The animals performance was corrected for sex,
bull buyers to assist in selection decisions and purchase age of calf and age of dam, and then compared as a
of breeding stock. EBVs are now accepted by most percentage to other animals within the same management
beef producers as an essential tool in the breeding and group. Comparison of animals across management groups,
marketing of seedstock.
herds or years was not possible using this system.
EBVs are based on all available pedigree and performance TACE represents a major improvement over the more
records provided by breeders in New Zealand and traditional methods of performance recording. It uses all
Australia, along with available overseas genetic the records available on the animal and its relatives to
information. EBVs provide the best means for comparison disentangle genetic and environmental factors, giving the
of the relative genetic merit of animals across the breed for best estimate of the animals breeding value that is possible
those traits included in the analysis. EBVs obviously cannot from the available information.
be used in isolation in any selection or purchase decision.
Visual assessment is still necessary for those characteristics To allow comparison of animals from between
not adequately described by EBVs. management groups or even different properties genetic
links between contemporary groups are essential. A
GROUP TACE EBVs have been proven to be more accurate genetic link is achieved where animals in one group/
than raw performance measurements for assisting in the herd have a parent in common with an animals in another
selection of breeding stock. Research results and industry group/herd. For sires, this cross linkage is usually achieved
experience has shown that that more rapid genetic gains through AI but could also be through common dams.
can be achieved in herds which make use of EBVs in their
selection decisions. In the calculation of EBVs all available TACE uses “multiple trait” evaluation which further
pedigree and performance information on each animal increases the accuracy of the EBVs.
and its relatives (parents, ancestors, siblings, progeny, Because there is usually a genetic association between
etc.) is combined to provide a single best estimate of different traits (which may be positive or negative and
an individual’s genetic merit for each trait. In addition, vary from weak to strong) this information can be used
allowance is made for environmental differences between enhance measurements of recorded traits or estimate an
properties, seasons and management groups on each animal’s breeding value for traits that have not been directly
animal’s performance. Differences in heritabilities between measured.
traits and genetic associations between traits are also
accounted for in the calculation of EBVs. For example, 200 day weight has a positive association
with 400 day weight – that is, as 200 day weight increases
The service is run by the Agricultural Business Research so does 400 day weight.
Institute (ABRI) at the University of New England, Armidale,
NSW., Australia. TACE research and development is The multiple trait analysis also helps to reduce the “bias”
carried out by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit which can be introduced by a previous selection decision,
(AGBU), also at the University of New England. say selective joining or disproportional culling. For example,
culling of lighter calves at weaning will give higher group
An overview of TACE average 400 day weight. The fact that the remaining animals
What you see in an animal is the effect of genes they inherit have a higher group average as a result of previous culling
from their parents modified by the effect of non-genetic is accounted for in TACE as long as the records of the
(environmental) factors such as feeding and parasite previously culled animals are included in the evaluation.
control, sex, age of dam...etc. EBVs are expressed in the same units as they were
To improve your herd by selection, you need to evaluate measured (eg, kg) and are estimated relative to the breed
the genetic merit of cattle – that is the proportion of the benchmark of zero, which was established at the time of
animals performance which is controlled by its genes, and the first analysis.

8 Vision Integrity Passion 2021 Ngaputahi Angus Bull Sale