With the recent enhancements to the BreedObject software, the redevelopment of Selection Indexes has remained a strong focus for ABRI.
Selection Indexes are calculated using the BreedObject software that has been developed by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) at the University of New England. BreedObject combines the BREEDPLAN EBVs of an animal with an economic weighting on each individual trait (based on costs of production and returns on output) to produce a single selection index value for each animal.
At present, several breeds have been upgraded to the latest Version 6 (V6) Indexes within Australia, such as Wagyu, Hereford, Performance Herds, Limousin, Angus, Charolais and Belmont Red. International breed societies that have also implemented V6 Indexes include South African Simmentaler, UK Shorthorn, Hungarian Charolais, NZ Angus, South African Brangus and NZ Hereford. We are currently working with several additional clients to implement these enhanced Selection Indexes for their breed society.
Incorporating Selection Index information into selection decisions takes the hard work out of trying to decide how much emphasis you need to put on individual EBVs when determining which animals, you want to retain in your herd or purchase.
For a thorough review on Selection Indexes and information on the new developments included in the BreedObject software, please take some time to read an article published by SBTS & TBTS, here.
