Page 8 - Dandaloo Sale Catalogue eBook.pdf

TACE – what is it?

TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation is simply a performance predicting system. It records an animal’s own performance, as well as
the performance of all known relatives in the herd. Using this information, it is able to build a reliable indicator of each animal’s genetic
potential.

Each recorded trait is measured as a plus or minus. This shows the genetic potential in that trait, for that bull, as compared to the breed
average. These measurements are called EBVs – Estimated Breeding Values.
Each recorded trait is also presented with an accuracy percentage. This measures the degree of predictability ie the likelihood of passing
on that recorded trait to his progeny. The more information we can collect for each animal, the more reliable the predictability of each
trait, and the higher the percentage. For example, a bull with + 60 kg growth at 400 days and 90% accuracy, can be more confidently
expected to transmit that extra growth to his progeny than a bull with + 60 kg at 400 days and 57 % accuracy.
This doesn’t mean the bull with lower predictability is not going to pass on that trait, it just means there is less information on his ability
to pass it on . There may be a number of reasons for this – for example, a young bull may have few closely related animals.
As a general rule, pick using EBVs first, and use accuracy percentages, as well as visual appraisal, to narrow down your selection.
The right bull for you - how to use EBVs

First of all, what traits are important to you? Is it fertility, calving ease, milking ability, carcass conformation and growth…? Decide on the
traits that are most important to you economically, and look for a bull that is strong in those traits. Growth to weaning.
8