Page 12 - Waigroup Pinebank Pinehill Angus 2021 Catalogue ebook

Days to Calving EBV (days) indicates the fertility of the daughters
of the sire. It is the time interval between the day when the female
is first exposed to a bull in a paddock mating to the day when she
subsequently calves. A negative EBV for days to calving indicates
a shorter interval from bull-in date to calving and therefore higher
fertility.
Carcase Weight EBV (kg) is based on abattoir carcase records and
is an indicator of the genetic differences in carcase weight at the
standard age of 750 days.
Eye Muscle Area EBV (sq cm) is calculated from measurements
from live animal ultrasound scans and from abattoir carcase data,
adjusted to a standard 400 kg carcase. This EBV estimates genetic
differences in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site of a 400 kg
dressed carcase. More positive EBVs indicate better muscling on
animals. Sires with relatively higher EMA EBVs are expected to
produce better-muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny at
the same carcase weight than will sires with lower EMA EBVs.
Rib Fat and Rump Fat EBVs (mm) are calculated from
measurements of subcutaneous fat depth at the 12/13-rib site
and the P8 rump site (from live animal ultrasound scans and
from abattoir carcases) and are adjusted to a standard 400 kg
carcase. These EBVs are indicators of the genetic differences in
fat distribution on a standard 400 kg carcase. Sires with low, or
negative, fat EBVs are expected to produce leaner progeny at any
particular carcase weight than will sires with higher EBVs.
Retail Beef Yield EBV (%) indicates genetic differences between
animals for retail yield percentage in a standard 400 kg carcase.
Sires with larger EBVs are expected to produce progeny with
higher yielding carcases.
Intramuscular Fat EBV (%) is an estimate of the genetic difference
in the percentage of intramuscular fat at the 12/13th rib site in a
400 kg carcase. Depending on market targets, larger more positive
values are generally more favourable.
Docility EBV (%) is an estimate of the genetic differences
between animals in temperament. Docility EBVs are expressed
as differences in the percentage of progeny that will be scored
with acceptable temperament (ie. either “docile” or “restless”).

ACCURACY
Accuracy (%) is based on the amount of performance information
available on the animal and its close relatives - particularly the
number of progeny analysed. Accuracy is also based on the
heritability of the trait and the genetic correlations with other
recorded traits. Hence accuracy indicates the “confidence level” of
the EBV. The higher the accuracy value the lower the likelihood of
change in the animal’s EBV as more information is analysed for that
animal or its relatives. Even though an EBV with a low accuracy
may change in the future, it is still the best estimate of an animal’s
genetic merit for that trait. As more information becomes available,
an EBV is just as likely to increase in value, as it is to decrease.
Accuracy values range from 0-99%.
As a rule, animals should be compared on EBVs regardless of
accuracy. However, where two animals have similar EBVs the one
with higher accuracy could be the safer choice, assuming other
factors are equal.
For further information please contact NZ Angus or TACE.
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