Some considerable changes will be made to the Structural Soundness EBVs that are published on Australian Angus cattle in the mid December 2020 TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation.
That was the message delivered by Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Mr Andrew Byrne, at the Spring 2020 Angus CONNECT Research & Development Update.
“The Structural Soundness EBVs have been the subject of considerable discussion amongst Angus breeders in recent times, culminating in the need to make improvements being highlighted as a priority by Angus Australia’s Genetic Evaluation Consultative Committee”, Mr Byrne said.
“Angus Australia has listened to this feedback, and has undertaken a comprehensive review of the Structural Soundness EBVs that are published”.
The five Structural Soundness EBVs previously published will be replaced by two new EBVs, being Foot Angle and Claw Set.
Foot Angle EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in foot angle (strength of pastern, depth of heel), with lower Foot Angle EBVs indicating an animal is expected to produce progeny with more desirable foot angle, being a 45-degree angle at the pastern joint with appropriate toe length and heel depth.
Claw Set EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in claw set structure (shape and evenness of claws), with lower Claw Set EBVs indicating an animal is expected to produce progeny with more desirable claw structure, being toes that are symmetrical, even and appropriately spaced.
“It is important that Angus breeders are aware that lower EBVs will now be associated with more desirable structure, as opposed to the previous EBVs where higher EBVs were more favourable”, said Mr Byrne.
The new EBVs will be calculated using completely new analytical software, that among other things, offers the advantage of enabling the submission of multiple structural scores over time for the same individual animal, the submission of structural scores for mature females, and the incorporation of genomic information into the EBV calculation.
Another feature of the new Structural Soundness EBVs is that the analysis will now be conducted jointly with the American and Canadian Angus Associations.
“In addition to greatly expanding the volume of information that is available to the analysis, the breeding values published for Australian Angus animals will now be directly comparable to the breeding values published on North American animals”, said Mr Byrne said.
“So if Australian breeders are looking at potential North America sires to use within their breeding program, they can take the Foot Angle and Claw Set EPD and times it by two and it will give the equivalent EBV in Australia,” explained Mr Byrne.
“Likewise, divide the Australian EBV by two to produce the EPD that will be directly comparable to the Foot Angle and Claw Set EPDs published on North American animals”.
While considerable changes will be made to the manner in which Structural Soundness EBVs are calculated and displayed, the scoring system by which the feet and leg structure of Angus animals is assessed for inclusion in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation remains unchanged.
Animals will still be assessed on a 1 – 9 scoring system, with front and back feet assessed separately.
In a move to try and increase the number of animals being structurally scored, particularly yearling and mature females, breeder collected scores will however now be accepted for inclusion in the calculation of Structural Soundness EBVs, alongside scores collected by independent, accredited assessors.
“The changes that have been made to calculation and display of Structural Soundness EBVs, along with attempts to increase the number of structural scores being submitted for analysis, will increase the number of animals for which EBVs are published, and the accuracy of those EBVs”, said Mr Byrne.
Further information on changes that will be made to the Structural Soundness EBVs that are published on Angus animals is available by clicking on the links below, or by contacting staff at Angus Australia.
-Angus Australia