MURRAY GREY BREEDPLAN

Understanding the EBVs, Selection Indices and Accuracy

EBVs

An animal's breeding value is its genetic merit, half of which will be passed on to its progeny.  While we will never know the exact breeding value, for performance traits it is possible to make good estimates.  These estimates are called Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs).

In the calculation of EBVs, the performance of individual animals within a contemporary group is directly compared to the average of other animals in that group.  A contemporary group consists of animals of the same sex and age class within a herd, run under the same management conditions and treated equally.  Indirect comparisons are made between animals reared in different contemporary groups, through the use of pedigree links between the groups.

EBVs are expressed in the units of measurement for each particular trait.  They are shown as + ive or - ive differences between an individual animal's genetics difference and the genetic base to which the animal is compared.  For example, a bull with an EBV of +50 kg for 600-Day Weight is estimated to have genetic merit 50 kg above the breed base of 0 kg.  Since the breed base is set to an historical benchmark, the average EBVs of animals in each year drop has changed over time as a result of genetic progress within the breed.

The absolute value of any EBV is not critical, but rather the differences in EBVs between animals.  Particular animals should be viewed as being "above or below breed average" for a particular trait.

Whilst EBVs provide the best basis for the comparison of the genetic merit of animals reared in different environments and management conditions, they can only be used to compare animals analysed within the same analysis.  Consequently, Murray Grey BREEDPLAN EBVs cannot be validly compared with EBVs from any other BREEDPLAN analysis.

Although EBVs provide an estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for a range of production traits, they do not provide information for all of the traits that must be considered during selection of functional animals.  In all situations, EBVs should be used in conjunction with visual assessment for other traits of importance (such as structural soundness, temperament, fertility etc).  A recommended practice is to firstly select breeding stock based on EBVs and to then select from this group to ensure that the final selections are otherwise acceptable.

EBVs are published for a range of traits covering fertility, calving ease, milking ability, growth, carcase merit and feed efficiency.  When using EBVs to assist in selection decisions it is important to achieve a balance between the different groups of traits and to place emphasis on those traits that are important to the particular herd, markets and environment.  One of the advantages of having a comprehensive range of EBVs is that it is possible to avoid extremes in particular traits and select for animals with balanced overall performance.

Calving Ease EBVs (%) are based on calving difficulty scores, birth weights and gestation length information.  More positive EBVs are favourable and indicate easier calving.

CE % Direct = Direct Calving Ease - The EBV for direct calving ease indicates the influence of the sire on calving ease in purebred females calving at two years of age.

 

CE % Daughters = Daughters' Calving Ease - The EBV for daughters' calving ease indicates how easily that sire's daughters will calve at two years of age.

Gestation Length EBV (days) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in gestation length.  Lower or more negative Gestation Length EBVs are considered to be more favourable.

Birth Weight EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in calf birth weight.  Small or moderate Birth Weight EBVs are more favourable.  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. 

200-Day Growth EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to their genetics for growth.  Larger, more positive 200 Day Growth EBVs are generally more favourable.  This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal's genetic merit for growth to early ages.

400-Day Weight EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in live weight at 400 days of age.  This EBV is important for breeders turning off animals as yearlings.  Larger, more positive 400 Day Weight EBVs are generally more favourable.

600-Day Weight EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in live weight at 600 days of age.  This EBV is important for breeders targeting the production of animals suited for heavy weight grass or grain fed markets.  Larger, more positive 600 Day Weight EBVs are generally more favourable.

Mature Cow Weight EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between cows in live weight at 5 years of age.  This EBV is an indicator of growth at later ages and potential feed maintenance requirements of the females in the breeding herd.

Milk EBV (kg) provides an estimate of maternal genetic contribution of a dam to the 200 day weight of her calf.  In the case of sires, this EBV estimates the maternal genetic effect that his daughters will contribute to the 200 day weight of their progeny.  Larger, more positive, Milk EBVs indicate a greater maternal genetic contribution to 200 day weight.

Scrotal Size EBV (cm) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age.  Larger, more positive, Scrotal Size EBVs indicate are generally more favourable.  There is also a small negative correlation with age of puberty in female progeny and therefore selection for increased scrotal size will result in reduced age at calving of female progeny.

Days to Calving EBV (days) provides an estimate of genetic differences in fertility of the daughters of the sire.  It is the time interval between the date when the female is first exposed to a bull in a paddock mating to the day when she subsequently calves.  Relatively lower EBVs for days to calving indicate shorter interval from bull-in date to calving and therefore higher fertility.

Carcase Weight EBV (kg) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in carcase weight at the standard age of 650 days.  Larger, more positive Carcase Weights EBVS are generally more favourable.  The Carcase Weight EBV is an indication of the animal’s carcase weight and not an indication of the animal’s yield percentage.

Eye Muscle Area EBV (sq cm) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals in eye muscle areas at 12/13th rib site of a 300 kg dressed steer carcase.  More positive EBVs indicate better muscling on animals.  Animals with relatively higher EMA EBVs are expected to produce better muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny at the same carcase weight than will animals with lower EMA EBVs.

Rib Fat and Rump Fat EBVs (mm) provide estimates of genetic differences between animals in subcutaneous fat depth at the 12/13th rib site and the P8 rump site.  Animals with relatively lower fat EBVs are expected to produce leaner progeny at any particular carcase weight than will animals with higher EBVs.

Retail Beef Yield EBV (%) provides an estimate of genetic differences between animals for retail yield percentage in a standard 300 kg steer carcase.  Animals 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 300 kg steer carcase.  Depending on market targets, larger more positive values are generally more favourable. 

Selection Indices

Murray Grey selection indices are calculated for five market specifications, namely, Vealer Terminal, Supermarket, Heavy Grass Fed, Northern Terminal and Breeder Replacement. 

Index values are reported as EBVs, in units of relative earning capacity ($’s) for a given market.  They reflect both the short-term profit generated by a sire through the sale of his progeny, and the longer-term profit generated by his daughters in a self-replacing cow herd.  A selection index combines the EBVs with economic information (costs and returns) for specific market and production systems to rank animals based on relative profit values.  Note that different types of animals can give similar profit values, so consideration should be given to both the index and the component EBVs when selecting animals for a particular production system.  More information is available on using a selection index.

The Index values are derived using BreedObject technology.  More information is available from the BreedObject web site.

Vealer Terminal Index ($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical crossbred commercial herd using Murray Grey bulls to target vealer production. Vealers are finished on grass and target 430 kg live weight (225 kg HSCW and 9 mm P8 fat depth) at 12 months of age. Daughters are NOT retained for breeding and thus no consideration is given to maternal traits.  

 

Supermarket Index ($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical Murray Grey commercial herd targeting production of steers for the domestic supermarket trade. Selected heifers are retained for breeding and thus maternal traits are of importance. Steers are either finished on grass, or grain fed for 70 days, and target 470 kg live weight (260 kg HSCW and 12 mm P8 fat) at 15 months of age. In response to industry feedback a premium has been placed on marbling.

 

Heavy Grass Fed Steer Index ($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical Murray Grey commercial herd targeting pasture finished steers for heavier grass fed markets. Selected heifers are retained for breeding and thus maternal traits are of importance. Steers target 620 kg live weight (330 kg HSCW and 14 mm P8 fat depth) at 24 months of age. In response to industry feedback a premium has been placed on marbling.  

 

Northern Terminal Index ($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical commercial herd using Murray Grey bulls over cows containing some Bos indicus content. Steers target 550 kg live weight (300 kg HSCW and 10 mm P8 fat depth) at 27 months of age. In response to industry feedback a premium has been placed on marbling. 

 

Breeder Replacement Index ($) - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a typical Murray Grey commercial herd targeting the production of weaners or yearlings. Selected heifers are retained for breeding and thus maternal traits are of importance. Steers target 440 kg live weight (230 kg HSCW and 9 mm P8 fat depth) at 12 months of age.

 

Note that $Index values for individual animals are sensitive to the assumptions used in the BreedObject analysis to calculate the selection index.  More information is available on the weightings used in the Murray Grey Selection Indices.

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%.  The following guide is given for interpreting accuracy:

Accuracy range

 Interpretation

 less than 50%

 EBV should be considered as a preliminary estimate.  It could change substantially as more performance information becomes available.

 50-74%

 Medium accuracy, usually based on the animal's own records and pedigree.  Still subject to substantial changes with more information, particularly when the performance of progeny are analysed.

 75-90%

 Medium - high accuracy and includes some progeny information.  Becoming a more reliable indicator of the animal's value as a parent.

 more than 90%

 High accuracy estimate of the animal's true breeding value.  It is unlikely that the EBV will change much with the addition of more progeny data.

 

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.

Estimated Breeding Values can only be directly compared to other EBVs calculated in the same analysis.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, the Agricultural Business Research Institute, the Society, their officers, and employees assume no responsibility for its content, use or interpretation.

BREEDPLAN results are calculated using software developed by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, a joint venture of New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England, which receives funding for this purpose from Meat and Livestock Australia Limited. 

For further information please contact the Murray Grey Society or Murray Grey BREEDPLAN