Introduction Eurostar Indexes that appear on an animal are the end result of a series of routine steps known as a “Genetic Evaluation Run “. These genetic evaluations are run three times per year by ICBF, every April, August & December. Take for example, a Stock Bull – a genetic evaluation run will identify all calves of that bull & compare their performance records to those of the other animals reared alongside them in the same herd. Any data, together with records from relatives of the bull is also included. The genetic Index that is gained from an evaluation run is expressed in Euro values. The aim of this is to estimate how profitable an animal is for breeding. Remember a cow or bull will only ever transmit half their genes to the resulting calf. Example : A bull with a genetic index of €200 mated to a cow with an index of €100, is expected to sire a daughter with a Replacement Index of €150. (€200+€100/2=€150).
Replacement Replacement Index €100 Index €200
Replacement Index €150
The Indexes There are two main Eurostar indexes for beef animals – Replacement & Terminal. These Indexes have grouped traits together depending on their importance for achieving an overall goal.
Replacement Index - This estimates how suitable females will be across a range of replacement traits to be good profitable suckler cows. The Euro star value beside this index estimates how profitable a female will be relative to the Average cow.
Breakdown of the Replacement Index â‚Ź Index value & Reliability.
All these traits added together, make up the Replacement Index
Breakdown & traits of the Replacement Index
Fertility
23%
Milk
18%
Calving Traits
16%
Beef Traits
21%
Docility Feed intake of cow & calf
4% 18%
Traits & their weightings on the Replacement Index.
Terminal Index – This estimates how profitable an animal’s progeny will be after slaughtering; this index encompasses a range of traits such as calving difficulty, live weight & carcass conformation Farmers looking to breed animals suitable for sale as weanlings, stores and/or slaughter should focus on this index. Breakdown of the Terminal Index
Breakdown & traits of the Terminal Index
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Carcass Traits
56%
Calving Traits
26%
Feed Intake
16%
Docility
2%
Traits & their weightings on the Terminal Index.
What do the stars mean?
The Euro stars that appear alongside an index are used to rank an animal. They range from 1 star (bottom 20%) to 5 stars (Top 20%). For Purebred animals there are within breed stars on the left hand side of the index which rank an animal within their own breed and across breed stars on the right hand side of the index which compare an animal against all breeds. For commercial nonpurebred animals, these are ranked on an across breed basis as they are compared against all beef breeds.
Genomics Genomic information is now included (where applicable) on animals. Genomics is the analysis of an animal’s DNA to help better predict its future performance. An animal’s DNA profile is compared to DNA profiles of proven animals and through identification of similarities in the DNA, a more accurate prediction of the animals genetic makeup can be established. If there is Genomic data included on an animal it is signified by text just above the animals breeding indexes on the animal search. Genotyping results in a more accurate genetic evaluation at a younger age, in some cases even before an animal has produced any progeny. It also has the added benefit of verifying the parentage of animals.
Tab on Animal Search facility To coincide with Genomic evaluations being made available, there is now a facility to examine what impact (if any) genomics has had on an index. Viewers can now see this under the “Geno Eval tab”
Some Common Myths… Answered. My best cow is only a 1 star – the stars must be wrong!!
NO! What you must always remember is that the index figures and Eurostar values that a cow has is not just based on how she has done in your herd. If her sire has daughters in other herds, that have performed poorly, this will affect your cows’ figures. The performances of all relatives of your animals are taken into account, even if they are not in your herd.
If I record false information on my animals, their Euro star ratings will increase!
NO! When ICBF detects that the information provided by a farmer lacks variation & not biologically likely, this information is then left out of the genetic evaluation runs’ for these animals. The animals will instead receive “Parent Average indexes, which is just based on their parents’ figures, and ignores any information recorded on the animals themselves.