Page 9 - Colvend Catalogue eBook

EBVs Explained

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”).

SELECTION INDEXES
There are currently two different selection indexes calculated
for New Zealand Angus animals. These are Self-Replacing
and AngusPure. Each selection index describes a different
production/market scenario and relates to a typical commercial
herd in New Zealand that is targeting the following specifications.
Index values are reported as EBVs, in units of relative earning
capacity ($’s) for a given market. They reflect both the short-
term profit generated by a sire through the sale of his progeny,
and the longer-term profit generated by his daughters in a self-
replacing cow herd. More information is available on selecting
animals using a selection index.
The Index values are derived using BreedObject technology.
More information is available from the BreedObject web site.
Self-Replacing Index ($) - Estimates genetic differences
between animals in net profitability per cow joined for a self-
replacing commercial herd, targeting the production of grass
finished steers. Steers are assumed marketed at 525 kg live
weight (280 kg carcase weight and 10 mm fat depth) at 16
months of age.
AngusPure Index ($) – Estimates genetic differences between
animals in net profitability per cow joined for a self-replacing
commercial Angus herd, targeting the production of grass
finished steers for the AngusPure programme. Steers are
assumed marketed at 525 kg live weight (280 kg carcase
weight and 10 mm fat depth) at 18 months of age with a
significant premium paid for marbling.
Heifer/Dairy Terminal Index ($) – Estimates the genetic
differences between animals in net profitability per female
joined in an example herd where all progeny are marketed. All
progeny are marketed at approximately 510 kg live weight (280
kg carcase weight and 7 mm fat depth) at approximately 24
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 New Zealand Angus Selection Indexes.

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