The value of EBVs in the Aberdeen Angus breed

Summary

Results

This study showed that calves sired by the top 10% bull yielded significantly higher slaughter weights, daily liveweight gains and carcase weights compared to the top 70% sired bull calves (p<0.05)(Table 1). This would be offset marginally by the longer gestation length for top 10% bull‘s calves – predicted from the gestation length EBVs of the bulls- but overall the final carcase value was still worth £42.14 more per head for the top 10% bull‘s calves than those of the top 70% bull. It also showed that the modern day Angus, especially high index Angus, can perform well in intensive finishing systems.

Table 1: Average values for the bull progeny

	Top 70% sired	Top 10 %
Calving traits
Birth weight (kg)	39	40
Calving ease score	1.48	1.54
Gestation length (days)	281	283
Growth
Daily liveweight gain-birth to slaughter (kg/day)	1.24	1.30
Daily liveweight gain-12 weeks to slaughter (kg/day)	1.38	1.46
Slaughter weight (kg)	532	562
Age at slaughter (days)	400	406
Carcase traits
Carcase weight (kg)	278	293
Kill out (%)	51.2	51.0
Carcase daily gain from birth (kg)	0.65	0.68
Carcase price (£/kg – July 2012)	3.31	3.35
Carcase value (£)	918.70	979.44

Planned activity

The results will be used in conjunction with other studies to demonstrate the value of EBVs in presentations and literature aimed at beef producers and dairy producers where the opportunities arise.

Sector:

Beef & Lamb

Project code:

7289

Date:

01 April 2007 - 31 July 2009

Funders:

AHDB Beef & Lamb, Genus, Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society

AHDB sector cost:

£3,000

Total project value:

£6,000

Project leader:

Harper Adams

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About this project

The Problem

Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) can make a substantial difference to the physical and financial performance of a beef herd when used for bull selection. Traditionally, the Aberdeen Angus (AA) breed is thought to be best suited to extensive pasture based systems, but work is required to investigate the performance of Angus cross male calves coming out of the dairy herd in intensive cereal based systems.

This study set out to compare the performance of progeny from high EBV index AA bulls with those of low EBV index AA bulls finished on a cereal beef system to test the hypothesis that selecting terminal sires using EBVs results in significant physical and financial performance benefits.

Project Aims

Determine the difference in financial value between calves of a top 10% AA terminal index sire with calves from a top 70% AA sire
Determine the suitability of the Aberdeen Angus breed for cereal based systems

Approach

Holstein cows from Harper Adams University College dairy herd were inseminated at random with either a top 10% or a top 70% terminal index Angus bull. After weaning at around 6 weeks of age the calves were transferred to the finishing ration. This ration was a 14% CP cereal mix ad libitum (67.5% rolled barley, 10% molassed sugar beet pulp, 7.5% soyabean meal, 7.5% rapeseed meal, 5% molasses, 2.5% high calcium intensive beef mineral) which was offered ad lib through to slaughter. There were a total of 52 bull calves reared, with 26 from each sire.