IN TODAY’S BEEF INDUSTRY, PROFITABILITY STARTS WITH MAKING INFORMED GENETIC DECISIONS
Every bull you select has the potential to influence herd performance for years to come – and that’s where Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and selection indexes become essential tools. These measures go beyond appearance, providing a data-driven insight into traits that impact productivity, efficiency, and market returns. From growth rates and fertility to marbling and temperament, EBVs allow producers to predict how an animal’s genetics will perform in real-world conditions. Combined with selection indexes, which simplify complex data into clear breeding objectives, these tools help you align genetic choices with your breeding objectives and business goals.
In this article, we’ll break down what EBVs and selection indexes mean, why they matter, and how you can use them to maximise profitability in your herd
UNDERSTANDING ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES TO DRIVE PROFITABILITY |
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| CODE | INDICATOR | UNIT | IDENTIFYING DIFFERENCES IN GENETIC MERIT WHEN COMPARING ANIMALS |
| CEDir | Calving difficulty | % | A sire’s ability to produce calves born unassisted from 2-year-old heifers |
| CEDtrs | Calving difficulty | % | The ability of a sire’s daughters to calve unassisted at 2 years of age |
| GL | Gestation length | days | The length of time from the date of conception to the birth of the calf |
| BW | Birth weight | kg | Genetic differences in calf weight at birth |
| 200 Day | Live weight | kg | Genetic differences in live weight at 200 days of age |
| 400 Day | Live weight | kg | Genetic differences in live weight at 400 days of age |
| 600 Day | Live weight | kg | Genetic differences in live weight at 600 days of age |
| MCW | Mature Weight | kg | Genetic differences in live weight of cows at 5 years of age |
| Milk | Live weight | kg | Genetic differences in live weight at 200 days due to the maternal contribution of its dam |
| DTC | Time to Calving | days | Genetic differences in the time from the start of joining until subsequent calving |
| SS | Scrotal Circ. | cm | Genetic differences in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age |
| CWT | Carcase weight | kg | Genetic differences in hot standard carcase weight at 750 days of age |
| EMA | Eye muscle area | cm2 | Genetic differences in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a 400kg carcase |
| Rib Fat | Fat | mm | Genetic differences in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a 400kg carcase |
| P8 Fat | Fat | mm | Genetic differences in fat depth at the P8 rump site in a 400kg carcase |
| RBY | Yield | % | Genetic differences in boned out saleable meat from a 400 kg carcase |
| IMF | Intramuscular fat | % | Genetic differences in IMF (marbling) at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase |
| NFI-F | Feed efficiency | kg / day | Genetic differences in feed intake at a standard weight and rate of weight gain when animals are in a feedlot finishing phase |
| DOC | Temperament | % | Genetic differences between animals in temperament |
| Claw Set | Claw Structure | score | Genetic differences in claw set structure – shape and evenness of claws |
| Foot Angle | Foot angle | score | Genetic differences in foot angle – strength of pastern, depth of heel |
| Leg Angle | Leg angle | score | Genetic differences in leg angle |
UNDERSTANDING SELECTION INDEXES TO DRIVE PROFITABILITY |
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| CODE | UNIT | UNDERSTANDING GENETIC DIFFERENCES TO DRIVE PROFITABILITY |
| $D | $ | Genetic differences in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting domestic supermarket trade. |
| $GN | $ | Genetic differences in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting pasture-grown steers with a 250-day feedlot finishing period for the grain-fed high-quality, highly marbled markets. |
| $GS | $ | Genetic differences in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting pasture-finished steers. |
