Breed Development
Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2 Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
The 2nd Generation of Angus HeiferSELECT is now available for commercial beef breeders. The development of the new generation of Angus HeiferSELECT is the result of 18 months close collaboration between Angus Australia and CSIRO (Australia’s National Science Agency).
What is Angus HeiferSELECT?
Angus HeiferSELECT is a genomic selection tool to help inform the selection of Angus replacement females in a commercial beef breeding operation. Angus HeiferSELECT provides: · Genetic predictions for thirteen (13) maternal, growth, feed intake, carcase and resilience traits (Table 1) · Genetic prediction for cow-calf value, feedlot-carcase value and total breeding value (with star rating) · Angus BreedCHECK – genomic breed composition prediction (Figure 1) · Sire assignment – Possible sires must be registered with Angus Australia and have genomic profiles available. Through utilisation of Angus Australia’s genomic and phenotypic database, Angus HeiferSELECT provides the most reliable genetic predictions possible for the selection of commercial Australian Angus females. Modern scientific methods, developed by CSIRO, enables the association between the DNA profiles and performance measurements to be analysed, and genetic predictions and breed composition to be calculated from the DNA profiles of the heifers tested with Angus HeiferSELECT.
What are the Enhancements to Angus HeiferSELECT?
1. New Genetic Prediction Traits Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2 includes 13 genetic prediction traits (compared to 9 in the generation 1 product). This includes the addition of: · 2 feedlot specific traits being Average Daily Gain (ADG) and Daily Feed Intake (DFI). · 1 extra carcase trait being Ossification (OSS) · 1 resilience trait being ImmuneDEX Additionally, the intramuscular fat (IMF) genetic prediction has changed to the commercially relevant MSA Marbling Score (MBL) genetic prediction.
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2. Updated Overall Values Three new overall values have been developed in collaboration with Abacusbio (a global leader in the development of livestock selection indexes). The new values include: · Cow-Calf Value (CCV), · Feedlot-Carcase Value (FCV) and · Total Breeding Value (TBV). The overall values are based on the latest selection index economic modelling, and underpinned by current day production parameters. 3. Angus BreedCHECK Coming from the newest development from Angus Australia and CSIRO collaboration, genomic (DNA) based breed prediction, with a focus on Angus content, is included in Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2. While this new information is informative by itself for selection decisions, it is additionally important as the Angus HeiferSELECT genetic predictions have been calibrated on a straightbred Angus reference population.
Where do I find further information about Angus HeiferSELECT?
Further information on Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2 can be accessed from the Angus Australia website (www. angusaustralia.com.au) and from the Angus HeiferSELECT module in the Angus Education Centre (https://www. angusaustralia.com.au/education/breeding-and-genetics/ angus-heiferselect/)
Who do I contact should I have any questions?
Angus HeiferSELECT is delivered in partnership with Zoetis Animal Genetics and Neogen Australasia. If you have any questions about Angus HeiferSELECT please contact: · Angus Australia – (02) 6773 4600 · Zoetis Animal Genetics – 1300 768 400 · Neogen Australasia – (07) 3736 2134
An enhancement included in Angus HeiferSELECT is Angus BreedCHECK - a genomic based breed composition test focusing on Angus content
