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 2. Updated Overall Values HeiferSELECT is the result of 18 months close collaboration Three new overall values have been developed in between Angus Australia and CSIRO (Australia’s National collaboration with Abacusbio (a global leader in the Science Agency). development of livestock selection indexes). The new What is Angus HeiferSELECT? Angus HeiferSELECT is a genomic selection tool to help inform the selection of Angus replacement females in a values include: · Cow-Calf Value (CCV), · Feedlot-Carcase Value (FCV) and commercial beef breeding operation. · Total Breeding Value (TBV). Angus HeiferSELECT provides: The overall values are based on the latest selection index · Genetic predictions for thirteen (13) maternal, growth, economic modelling, and underpinned by current day feed intake, carcase and resilience traits (Table 1) production parameters. · · Genetic prediction for cow-calf value, feedlot-carcase value and total breeding value (with star rating) Angus BreedCHECK – genomic breed composition prediction (Figure 1) 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 · Sire assignment – Possible sires must be registered with in Angus HeiferSELECT Generation 2. While this new

Angus Australia and have genomic profiles available. information is informative by itself for selection decisions, it Through utilisation of Angus Australia’s genomic and is additionally important as the Angus HeiferSELECT genetic phenotypic database, Angus HeiferSELECT provides the predictions have been calibrated on a straightbred Angus most reliable genetic predictions possible for the selection reference population. 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. 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/ What are the Enhancements to Angus HeiferSELECT? 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.

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