Page 9 - Beechwood, Richon & Woodburn Catalogue eBook.pdf

2021 AVERAGE HEREFORD
group breedplan EBVs

2021 NZ HEREFORD GROUP BREEDPLAN EBV AVERAGES FOR 2019 BORN CALVES
GEST BW MILK 200W 400W 600W SS CWT EMA RIB FAT RUMP FAT RBY IMF
-0.6 +4.1 +17 +33 +55 +78 +2.0 +52 +3.5 +0.7 +0.8 +0.8 +0.5
BREED OBJECT INDEX AVG. HEREFORD PRIME +$110 BEEF HEIFER +$112 DAIRY BEEF +$105

Understanding GROUP BREEDPLAN EBVs

What are EBVs used for?
Use Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) as a tool to help you select a bull for its breeding strengths relative
to your needs. However, don’t select on figures alone – there are many important traits that have no EBVs!
GROUP EBVs can be used to compare animals on performance from one Hereford herd to another
in New Zealand and Australia. EBVs are calculated within breed Trans-Tasman. You cannot compare
animals on EBVs from one breed to another.
ESTIMATED BREEDING VALUES (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 are called Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs). They
are expressed as the difference between an individual animal’s genetics and the genetic base to which
the animal is compared.

Growth AND MILK EBVs
BWT – Birth Weight EBV (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.
Milk – Milk EBV (kg) is an estimate of an animal’s milking ability. For sires, this EBV indicates the effect
of the daughter’s milking ability, inherited from the sire, on the 200-day weights of her calves. For dams,
it indicates her own milk ability.
200 – 200-Day Growth EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of animals taken between 80 and 300
days of age. Values are adjusted to 200 days and for dam age. This EBV is the best single estimate of
an animal’s genetic merit for growth to early ages.
400 – 400-Day Weight EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 500
days of age, adjusted to 400 days and for dam age. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s
genetic merit for yearling weight.
600 – 600-Day Growth EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 501 and 900
days of age, adjusted to 600 days and for dam age.
This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for growth beyond yearling age.

Carcase EBVs
EMA – Eye Muscle Area EBV (cm2) estimates genetic differences in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib
site of a 300kg 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.

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