Page 63 - SevenHills Angus 2021 Catalogue eBook

ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES (EBVS) EXPLAINED

EBV’s for the growth traits are calculated in kilos. The EBV is the best estimate of an animal’s
genetic merit for each recorded trait.
ACCURACIES
These are presented with every EBV and give an indication of the amount of information that has
been used in the calculation of that EBV. The higher the accuracy, the more reliable the EBV’s and
the less likelihood of change in those EBV’s.
CALVING EASE TRAITS

DIR: Calving ease (DIR) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences among animals in the ability of
their calves from two-year-old heifers to be born unassisted. The EBVs are reported as differences
in the percentage of unassisted calvings.

The higher (more +ive) the better.

GL: Gestation Length-estimates of genetic differences among animals in the number of days from
the date of conception until the calf birth date. The lower (more -ive) the better.
BW: estimates of the genetic differences between animals, in kg, of calf birth weight. This is the
biggest contributing factor causing calving difficulty in heifers.
FERTILITY

DC: Days to calving are estimates of genetic differences among animals in female fertility, expressed
as the number of days from the start of the joining period until subsequent calving. Females with
shorter DCs tend to cycle earlier and conceive earlier. They also tend to attain puberty at a younger
age as heifers.

SS: Scrotal Size are estimates of the genetic differences among animals in scrotal circumference at
400 days of age. Larger are generally more favourable.

GROWTH TRAITS
200-Day Weight: EBV-estimates of the genetic differences among animals in weight at 200 days of
age. Important for breeders who sell weaners. Generally the larger are the more favourable.
400-Day Weight: EBV-estimates of the genetic differences among animals in weight at 400 days of
age. Important for breeders selling yearlings. Generally the larger are the more favourable.

600-Day Weight: EBV-estimates of the genetic differences among animals in weight at 600 days of
age.
MATERNAL

Milk EBV: Estimates of genetic differences among animals in milk production potential, expressed
through variation in calf growth performance.
MWT: Estimates of the genetic differences among animals in cow weight at 5 years of age. Smaller,
or moderate Mature Cow Weights are more favourable. E.g. a bull with an EBV of +80kg would be
expected to produce daughters with lighter mature weights and lower feed requirements than a bull
with and EBV of +110kg.
CARCASE TRAITS

CW: Carcase weights are estimates of the genetic differences among animals in hot standard
carcase weight at 750 days of age.

EMA: Estimates of the genetic differences among animals in eye muscle area at 12-13th rib site in
a 400 kg carcase.

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