Breedplan Explained
Performance Evaluation program with important trait genetic profiles
Breedplan Overview
Breedplan is a performance evaluation program that provides a genetic profile of beef cattle for several important traits. This profile is expressed as an Estimated Breeding Value (EBV), showing the genetic potential of each trait, relative to a benchmark of zero (0).
The EBVs in this catalogue are Interim Group Breedplan EBVs. They can be compared directly with Poll Herefords or Herefords from Australia and New Zealand, using August 2024 Group Breedplan EBVs.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Bulls:
When evaluating a bull’s genetic profile, compare its EBVs to the breed benchmark or the current breed average for the calving year of 2022:
The Elite approach
EBV Traits Explained
Birth Weight: Lower birth weight EBVs suggest lighter calves at birth. While this can reduce calving difficulties, it’s essential to balance birth weight with growth traits to avoid production penalties.
Calving Ease (Direct): Measures the genetic differences in a sire's ability to produce calves that are born unassisted. Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties, especially with 2-year-old heifers.
Calving Ease (Daughters): Predicts the ease with which a sire's 2-year-old daughters will calve. Higher, positive values are preferable, as they indicate easier births.
Genetic Milk: Represents the additional weight in a calf due to the dam’s milk production. It’s a key consideration for both cow and sire, influencing the milk-producing ability of their progeny.
200, 400, and 600-Day Weights: These EBVs predict weight differences at different growth stages—helpful when selecting sires for specific markets, from domestic to export.
Fat Depth: Bulls with negative (-) EBVs produce leaner progeny, while positive (+) EBVs indicate increased fat depth, advantageous for natural pasture systems.
Eye Muscle Area (EMA): A higher EMA EBV indicates larger eye muscle area, improving yield and carcase quality.
Carcase Weight: Reflects genetic differences in untrimmed hot carcase weight at 650 days.
Retail Beef Yield (RBY%): Indicates the percentage of retail beef yield. Larger positive values are ideal for maximising production.
Intra-Muscular Fat (IMF%): Genetic differences in IMF contribute to meat quality. Moderate IMF is particularly desirable for feedlot markets.
Accuracies
Accuracy measures the reliability of the EBV. The higher the accuracy, the less likely the EBV will change with additional data.
BreedObject $Indexes
The BreedObject $Index simplifies the breeding decision by translating EBVs into a monetary value. This value reflects potential profitability per cow in a self-replacing herd.
For example, a $20 difference between two sires can lead to an extra $10 per cow. If the bull serves 300 cows, it could generate an additional $3,000 during its herd life.
Four selection indexes are available for Australian Hereford animals:
Southern Self-Replacing Index
Northern Self-Replacing Index
Southern Baldy Maternal Index
Northern Baldy Terminal Index
These indexes help producers select the bulls that best align with their production goals, focusing on traits that will improve eating quality and overall profitability.
