Page 8 - Sterni Angus Sale 2021 ebook

GROUP BREEDPLAN EBVS

THE FACTS

THE GROUP BREEDPLAN system of performance recording uses an Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) to rank animals
on different traits.
An EBV is based on the animal’s own performance plus the performance of all known relatives, sire, dam, half-
sister, uncle, etc. as well as adjusting for many environmental factors which also contribute to an animal’s actual
growth rate.
The statistics in this catalogue allow direct comparisons to be drawn with other Angus breeders on Group
Breedplan.
READING THE 2021 TRANS TASMAN ANGUS CATTLE EVALUATION

1. BWT: Birth Weight (kg) is based on the measured birth weight of animals, adjusted for dam age. The lower the
value the lighter the calf at birth and the lower the likelihood of a difficult birth. This is particularly important when
selecting sires for use over heifers.
2. 200: 200-Day Growth (kg) is calculated from the weight of animals taken between 80 and 300 days of age. Values
are adjusted to 200 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for
growth to early ages.

3. 400: 400-Day Weight (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 500 days of age,
adjusted to 400 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animals’ genetic merit for
yearling weight.
4. 600: 600-Day Weight (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 501 and 900 days of age,
adjusted to 600 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for
growth beyond yearling age.
5. MATURE WEIGHT: An estimate of the genetic differences in cow weight at 5 years of age. Compared to 600 day
EBV a lower Mature Wt EBV is more favourable.
6. MILK: 200-Day Milk (kg) is an estimate of an animal’s milking ability. For sires, this EBV is indicative of their
daughters milking ability as it affects the 200 day weight of their calves.

7. EMA: Eye muscle area (cm ) is based on live animal scans by accredited scanners. More positive EBVs indicate
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better muscling on animals at 450 days of age.
8. RIB: Rib fat depth (mm) is based on live animal scans at the 12/13 rib. More positive EBVs indicated more
subcutaneous fat and earlier maturity at 450 days of age.
9. RUMP: Rump fat depth (mm) is based on live animal scans at the P8 site. MOre positive EBVs indicate more
subcutaneous fat and earlier maturity at 450 days of age.
Two fat EBVs are listed as there is variation between animals regarding fat depth at the two sites.

10. CWT: Carcase weight EBV (kg) estimates the genetic difference in carcase weight adjusted to 650 days of age.
11. RBY%: Genetic estimate of % retail beef yeild in a 300kg carcase.
12. IMF%: Genetic estimate of intramuscular fat (marbling) 12/13 rib site in a 300kg carcase.
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13. Direct Calving Ease (Dir): Indicates the influence of the sire on calving ease in purebred females calving at two
years of age.
14. Daughters’ Calving Ease (dtrs): Indicates how easily that sire’s daughters will calve at two years of age.
15. Gestation Length EBV (days): Is an estimate of the time from conception to the birth of the calf.

16. Scrotal Size EBV (cm): This EBV is an estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for scrotal size. There is also a small
negative correlation with age of puberty in female progeny.
17. Days to Calving EBV (days): Indicates the fertility of the daughters of the sire. A negative EBV for days to calving
indicates a shorter interval from bull-in date to calving and therefore higher fertility.
ANGUS PURE INDEX ($)

Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for an example
commercial herd (self replacing herd run in a temperate environment) in which some females are retained
for breeding and surplus females, along with all males, are slaughtered.

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