Angus Trial Structural EBVs - Dec 2009
The BeefClass Structural data was re-analysed following submission of further records scored by accredited assessors. At present, there are five traits analysed for over 9000 animals which were scored before they were 750 days of age. The number of traits analysed is likely to be expanded early in 2010 as further research is conducted on the structural scores available.

The five traits analysed (and the flags associated with the EBV) are:
FA: Front Feet Angle (ST indicates steep angle, SH indicates shallow angle)
FC: Front Feet Claw Set (OD indicates open divergent claws, SC indicates scissor claws)
RA: Rear Feet Angle (ST indicates steep angle, SH indicates shallow angle)
RH: Rear Leg Hind View (BL indicates bow legged, CH indicates cow hocked)
RS: Rear Leg Side View (SR indicates straight rear legs, SI indicates sickle hocked)

More positive EBVs indicate a higher genetic potential for the desirable form of the structural trait compared to the average for the analysis.

The EBV flags only appear against animals that have more extreme, negative breeding values. The flags indicate the type of undesirable structural variation the animal tends to have. For example, a bull with a flag of ‘ST’ next to its FA EBV may produce about 35% or more progeny with steep feet angle; while a bull with a flag of ‘SH’ may produce 35% or more progeny with shallow feet angle. Therefore, using EBVs and flags in combination will assist breeders in making the right decision to improve the structural soundness of their herd.

Sires with at least 40% accuracy for a Structural EBV are reported.

Further information on Structural Scoring and the analysis of the structural traits can be obtained from the Angus Australia web site.