Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

Collection Guidelines

for Angus Research

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

1

2

Angus Australia

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research Contents

Collecting Mature Cow Weight..................................................................................4 Collecting Mature Cow Body Condition Score.................................................... 5 Collecting Mature Cow Height................................................................................... 7 Collecting Mature Cow Feet and Leg Scores....................................................... 8 Collecting Mature Cow Udder Scores...................................................................10 Collecting Female Fertility Data.............................................................................. 12 Recording Management Groups............................................................................. 16 Submitting Research Data to Angus Australia.................................................. 17

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

3

Collecting Mature Cow Weight Mature cow weights assess the weight of mature females, and are measured in in kilogram units.

Recording mature cow weight data

Mature cow weight should be recorded using appropriate (and accurate) scales, recorded to the nearest kilogram.

Do not guess/estimate weight or use measuring tapes to calculate weight. Either weigh the cows using appropriate scales or don’t record weights.

When should mature cow weight be collected?

Mature cow weight measurements should be taken when the 200 day weights for the progeny of the females are recorded, which will normally be at, or near the time of weaning.

Measurements can also be repeated at the start of joining and pre-calving for any members who are willing to collect multiple measurements throughout the year.

 Mature

cow weights should be recorded for all females in a mob on the same day.

Mature cow weights for cows that have been collected on different days will not be directly compared.

 The

time of the production cycle at which mature cow weights have been recorded should be carefully noted when submitting measurements to Angus Australia. i.e. weaning, pre-calving or joining.

 Consideration

should be given to also collecting mature height and body condition score measurements in association with mature cow weight measurements.

 Management

group information should be recorded for any cows or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to measurement that may affect their weight.

 Management

group information should be specified for any cows or groups of cows that have been managed differently in previous years where the difference in management is still considerably affecting their weight relative to other cows born in the same year.

For example, cows that may not have weaned a calf in the previous year, cows that have previously been part of the show team but are now part of the main herd, or in situations where some cows of the same age were calved down at different ages (e.g. 2, 2.5 and 3 years of age).

 Mature

cow weights should be recorded for the whole mob. Collecting “occasional” weights, or only collecting weights for a subset of cows is of no value.

4

Angus Australia

 When

recording mature cow weight there are some additional consideration for the inclusion of the data in the current TACE analysis. Additional information on the collection of mature cow weight can be found in the “Collection Guidelines for TACE” booklet. Copies are available from Angus Australia.

Collecting Mature Cow Body Condition Scores Mature cow body condition scores assess the body condition of mature females, and are measured as visual scores.

Recording mature cow body condition score data

Mature cow body condition scores are collected using a 0-5 scoring scale based on the visual appearance of the animal.

Half scores (i.e. 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5) can be used to identify animals who exhibit a body condition, which is intermediate to the scores listed.

In a “normal” Angus beef herd, where the cows have raised a calf to 200 days prior to weaning, it would be expected that the majority of animals would have a score of 2, 2.5 or 3, with a small percentage of animals receiving scores above 3.

Weaning is typically the time of lowest condition score in the production cycle of the cow.

All cows should be scored by the same scorer on the same day. If scorers are changed, appropriate management groups will need to be assigned to capture the variation in scorers.

When should mature cow body condition be collected?

Mature cow body condition scores should be taken when the 200 day weights for the progeny of the females are recorded, which will normally be at, or near the time of weaning.

Measurements can also be repeated at the start of joining and pre-calving for any members who are willing to collect multiple measurements throughout the year.

relative to other cows born in the same year.

For example, cows that may not have weaned a calf in the previous year, or cows that have previously been part of the show team but are now part of the main herd.  Mature

cow body condition scores should be recorded for all females in a mob on the same day. Mature cow body condition scores for cows that have been collected on different days will not be directly compared.

 Mature

cow body condition scores should be recorded for the whole mob. Collecting

“occasional” scores, or only collecting scores for a subset of cows is of no value.

 Cows

which have reared a calf should be assigned a separate management group to those in the mob who have not reared a calf prior to scoring.

 It  It

is important that there is some variation in the scores that are collected. Scoring all the animals in a group with the same body condition score does not identify any differences in body condition between animals, and consequently does not provide any useful information.

 Management

group information should be recorded for any cows or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to scoring that may affect their condition score.

 Management

group information should be specified for any cows or groups of cows that have been managed differently in previous years where the difference in management is still considerably affecting their body condition

is important that both a consistent scoring method is used and the same person scores all animals that are being assessed in the herd on a particular day.

 Additional

information on the collection of mature cow body condition scoring can be found in the Angus Australia “Paddock Guide to Body Condition Scoring” booklet. Copies are available from Angus Australia.

 The

time of the production cycle at which mature cow body condition scores have been recorded should be carefully noted when submitting scores to Angus Australia. i.e. weaning, pre-calving or joining.

 Consideration

should be given to also

collecting mature weight and height measurements when collecting mature cow body condition score.

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

5

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

PIN BONES

HIP & RUMP

BACKBONE

SHORT RIBS

Angus Australia

DEWLAP

6

· Inside of pin bones sunken

· Hook bone prominent with rump concave

· Spines of backbone identifiable

· Prominent and very sharp to the touch

· Dewlap has no fat

· Inside of pin bones deeply sunken to the bone

· Hook bone prominent with rump deeply concave

· Spines of backbone individually identifiable

· Very prominent and easy to see individually

· Dewlap is a skin fold with sternum identifiable

· Recovery for transport dependent on high quality care but will be slow

· Healthy but with significant muscle wastage

· Weak, with no body reserves. At risk of death from cold, wet weather or other stressors

· Able to recover from transport if adequately fed

BCS 1

BCS 0

· Dewlap has some fat

· Visable but not individually and fairly sharp to the touch

· Easily seen

· Hook bone prominent with rump slightly concave

· Inside of pin bones slightly sunken

· Lean but strong and healthy with evident muscle wastage

BCS 2

· Full in the brisket / sternum

· Visible and are easily felt with firm pressure

· Not prominent with rounded appearance

· Smoothly rounded

· Filled and mounded

· Ideal condition for cows at joining

· Healthy with significant fat reserves

BCS 4

· Rounded fat deposit at the brisket / sternum

· Cannot be seen or felt

· Not identifiable due to fat coverage

· Not identifiable due to fat coverage

· Not identifiable due to fat coverage

· A block shaped appearance and mobility only to walk

· Excessively fat animals with no skeletal features visible

BCS 5

Source - Blackwood et al 2013, ‘A national guide to describing and managing beef cattle in low body condition’

· A little fill in the brisket / sternum

· Visible and are easily felt with firm pressure as ‘rounded’ rather than sharp

· Not prominent

· Hook bone prominent

· Filled but not mounded

· Ideal condition for cows at weaning

· Moderate condition with rounding of skeletal features

BCS 3

Mature cow body condition scores for Angus cows

Collecting Mature Cow Heights

 Safety

Mature cow height measurements assess the height of mature females at the hip, and are measured in cm units.

 Management

Recording mature cow height data

Mature cow height should be taken using an appropriate (and accurate) tape measure or ruler, recorded to the nearest centimetre.

Do not guess/estimate height and ensure the height is recorded from the front of the animal’s hip, directly above the hook bone. Either measure the height correctly or don’t record the height.

While measuring techniques vary slightly, it is important to use a consistent technique for the whole group.

A common technique is to record height in the crush by attaching a level board horizontally to the top of the crush at a known height above the ground.

When the animal is standing stationary in the crush, a tape measure can be taken from the hook bone to the board, which is then subtracted from the known height between the board and ground to give the height of the animal.

Mature cow height should only be recorded when the animal is standing stationary on level ground.

is an important consideration when collecting mature cow height. Appropriate precautions should be taken when reaching over animals in the crush. group information should be recorded for any cow or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to measurement that may affect their height score.

 Management

group information should be specified for any cow or groups of cows that have been managed differently in previous years where the difference in management is still considerably affecting their height relative to other cows born in the same year.

For example, cows that have previously been part of the show team but are now part of the main herd, or in situations where some cows of the same age were calved down at different ages (e.g. 2, 2.5 and 3 years of age).

 Mature

cow heights should be recorded for the whole mob. Collecting “occasional” scores, or only collecting heights for a subset of cows is of no value.

 Mature

cow heights should be recorded for all females in a mob on the same day. Mature heights for cows that have been collected on different days will not be directly compared.

 The

Hip Height Measurement

time of the production cycle at which mature cow heights have been recorded should be carefully noted when submitting measurements to Angus Australia. i.e. weaning, pre-calving or joining.

 Consideration

should be given to also collecting mature weight and body condition score measurements in association with mature cow height measurements.

When should mature cow heights be collected?

Mature cow height measurements should be taken when the 200 day weights for the progeny of the females are recorded, which will normally be at, or near the time of weaning.

Measurements can also be repeated at the start of joining and pre-calving for any members who are willing to collect multiple measurements throughout the year.

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

7

Collecting Mature Cow Feet and Leg Scores

Mature cow feet and leg scores assess the structural soundness of the feet and legs in mature females, and are measured as visual scores.

Mature cow feet and leg score data does not need to be collected by an accredited scorer.

Recording mature cow feet and leg score data

Mature cow feet and leg scores are collected for 6 traits, related to feet and leg structure, based on the visual appearance of the animal using the Beef Class Structural Assessment system.

Each trait uses a 1-9 scoring system, where: • A score of 5 is considered ideal.

• Scores of 4 and 6 show slight variation from ideal, but this includes most animals. Any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be acceptable in any breeding program.

• Scores of 3 and 7 show greater variation, but would be acceptable in most commercial

breeding programs, however seedstock producers should be wary.

• Scores of 2 and 8 are low scoring animals and should be looked at carefully before use in commercial breeding programs.

• Scores of 1 and 9 should be considered culls.

If there is variation from foot to foot, or leg to leg, the score that is recorded should reflect the worst foot or leg.

Use of accredited technicians

Contrary to the collection of feet and leg scores on young animals, mature cow feet and leg scores do not need to be collected by an accredited scorer, although an accredited scorer can be used if that is preferred.

Once sufficient scores have been collected, research will evaluate the usefulness of breeder collected scores for genetic evaluation versus those collected by accredited technicians.

8

Angus Australia

When should mature cow feet and leg scores be collected?

Mature cow feet and leg scores, relating to feet and leg structure, can be taken at any time throughout the year. Only one score per year is required.  It

is important that there is some variation in the scores that are collected. Scoring all the animals in a group with the same structural soundness score for a trait does not identify any differences in structure between animals, and consequently does not provide any useful information.

 Management

group information should be recorded for any cows or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to scoring that may affect their structural score for a trait.

 It

is important that both a consistent scoring method is used and the same person scores all animals that are being assessed in the herd.

 Scores

should be recorded for the whole mob. Collecting “occasional” scores, or only collecting scores for a subset of cows is of no value.

 Scores

should be recorded for all females in a mob on the same day. Scores for cows that have been collected on different days will not be directly compared.

 If

foot trimming is practiced, structural soundness scores should be collected prior to trimming so that differences between animals are accurately described.

Collecting Mature Cow Feet and Leg Scores Front & Rear Feet Claw Set

1

2

3

4

Open Divergent (OD)

5

6

7

8

desirable

9

Scissor claws (SC)

Reference: Shape (primarily curl) and evenness of the claw set.

Front & Rear Feet Angle

1

2

3

4

Steep feet angle (SA)

5

6

7

desirable

8

9

Shallow feet angle (SA)

Reference: Strength of pastern, depth of heel and length of foot.

Rear Leg Side View

1

2

3

4

Straight rear leg (ST)

5

6

7

desirable

8

9

Sickle hocked rear leg (SI)

Reference: Angle measured at the front of the hock.

Rear Leg Hind View

1

2

Bow legged rear leg (BL)

3

4

5

desirable

6

7

8

9

Cow hocked rear leg (CH)

Reference: Direction of the feet when viewed from the rear.

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

9

Collecting Mature Cow Udder Scores Mature cow udder scores assess the structural soundness of the udder on mature females, and are measured as visual scores.

Mature cow udder score data does not need to be collected by an accredited scorer.

Recording mature cow udder scores

Mature cow udder scores are collected for 3 traits, related to udder conformation based on the visual appearance of the animal.

Each trait uses a 1-9 scoring system, where: • A score of 5 is considered ideal.

• Scores of 4 and 6 show slight variation from ideal, but this includes most animals. Any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be acceptable in any breeding program.

• Scores of 3 and 7 show greater variation, but would be acceptable in most commercial breeding programs, however seedstock producers should be wary.

• Scores of 2 and 8 are low scoring animals and should be looked at carefully before use in commercial breeding programs.

• Scores of 1 and 9 should be considered culls.

If there is variation from teat to teat, the score that is recorded should reflect the worst teat.

Use of accredited technicians

Mature cow udder scores do not need to be collected by an accredited scorer.

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Angus Australia

When should mature cow udder scores be collected?

Mature cow udder scores for udder characteristics should be taken within 24-48 hours of calving, in association with collection of calving ease and birth weight data for the cow’s progeny.  It

is important that there is some variation in the scores that are collected. Scoring all

the animals in a group with the same score for a trait does not identify any differences in structure between animals, and consequently does not provide any useful information.

 Management

group information should be recorded for any cows or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to scoring that may affect their score for a trait.

 It

is important that both a consistent scoring method is used and the same person scores all animals that are being assessed in the herd for a particular group of animals.

 Scores

should be recorded for the whole mob Collecting “occasional” scores, or only collecting scores for a subset of cows is of no value.

 If

the udder is damaged, structure soundness scores should not be collected. i.e. severe mastitis.

Collecting Mature Cow udder scores Udder Evenness

1

2

3

4

Dropped hind quarter

5

6

7

Good balance

8

9

Dropped fore quarter

Reference: Even distribution of the fore and hindquarter of an udder viewed from both sides

Teat Size & Shape

1

2

3

4

Very small button teats

5

6

7

Thin, good

8

9

Very large / bulbous / carrot

Reference: Size and shape of four main teats.

Udder Suspension

1

Very loose

2

3

4

5

6

Intermediate attachment

7

8

9

Very tight

Reference - Depth of the udder relative to the hock

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

11

Collecting Female Fertility Data Female fertility data assesses the reproductive performance of females. Collection of more comprehensive data will assist with enhancing the Days to Calving EBV.

What female fertility information should be recorded?

All ‘events’ associated with the joining of their females from the start of the mating period in each breeding season through to when the subsequent calves are born should be recorded.

Broadly, the information to be collected should include: 1. Joining details of all females mated within the herd, including within natural, artificial insemination or embryo transfer programs.

2. Details of all females removed from the herd, particularly those present at joining that were no longer within the herd by the time of the subsequent calving.

3. Details of all calves (dead or alive) that are born as a result of these joinings.

It is important that all ‘events’ associated with the artificial insemination program from the start of the mating period through to when the subsequent calves are born are recorded. This includes details of treatments in addition to the mating itself (eg. synchronisation).

For each female, record the date and ‘type’ of each event within the artificial breeding program using the following event codes:

Z Synchronisation program M Used to define the mating program period for

programs that don’t start with synchronisation.

For example, if a mob of cows or heifers enter into a non synchronised mating program that involves artificial insemination followed by a back up bull then ‘M’ would be used to define the date the females initially came together for the program through to the date the back up bull was removed.

4. Pregnancy test results for all females

A Artificial insemination after a fixed time from synchronisation

Recording details from natural joining programs

I Artificial insemination on observed heat (whether synchronised or not)

Record each natural joining event to which a female (cow or heifer) is exposed within the breeding season whether this was the successful joining or not. For situations where females are joined to several bulls in a mating season, record all joinings for the female, not just the first or successful joining.

For each natural joining event within the breeding season, record the bull the female was joined to, the date she was joined (‘bull in’ date) and the date the bull was removed (‘bull out’ date). Knowing the end of the joining period is important.

The joining event code to be used when recording natural joining events is ‘N’ (Natural/ Paddock mating).

Record management group information to identify any cow/s within a joining group whose fertility may have been affected either prior to or during the joining program due to non-genetic factors. e.g. significantly different nutrition, sickness, injury. A maximum of three characters (letters and/or numbers) can be used to describe each management group.

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Recording details from artificial insemination programs

Angus Australia

N Natural/Paddock Joining (in this case, where females have been joined naturally at the conclusion of an artificial breeding program) H Hand mating When recording the date and ‘type’ of each event, note: • The identification of the bull relevant to joining events A, I, N and H needs to be recorded. The event codes M and Z do not need bull details.

•

Only the joining event codes of M & N require a start and an end date. All other codes (i.e. A, I, H and Z) require only the date to be recorded for the day on which the event occurred.

Record management group information to identify cows that have been managed together as part of the same artificial breeding program. A maximum of three characters (letters and/or numbers) can be used to describe each management group.

A management group should also be used to identify any cow/s whose fertility may have been affected either prior to or during the artificial breeding program due to non-genetic factors. e.g. significantly different nutrition, sickness, injury.

Recording details from embryo transfer programs • For donor females, record the date the female was flushed and the number of embryos that were collected.

• For recipient females, record the date of implantation for any females that are recorded with Angus Australia. A mating event code of E should be used. It is not necessary to record the details for recipient females that are not recorded with Angus Australia.

Code

Description

S

Structural problem (e.g. feet, legs, navel, etc)

T

Poor temperament

U

Udder or teat problems

V

Poor EBVs

W

Calved but failed to rear calf to weaning

X

Susceptible to parasites (ticks, buffalo fly, worms, etc

Recording female disposal information Record the date and reason for any female removed from the herd, particularly those present at the start of joining that are no longer within the herd by the time of the subsequent calving.

The fate/disposal code information is used to determine whether females that have a joining record but no subsequent calf should be penalised for being “culled for infertility” or not penalised because they were culled for other reasons e.g. structure, performance etc.

The codes to be used to record a female fate/ disposal event are as follows:

Culled or sold Code

Description

A

Cast for age

B

Sold surplus breeding female but not code J or F

C

Calving incident

D

Disease

E

Eyes (e.g. pesti, eye cancer, etc)

F

Not in calf (i.e. failed preg test or did not calve)

G

Genetic condition (e.g. genetic carrier)

H

Horns

J

Cull unjoined heifer surplus to requirements

K

Coat Type

P

Poor performance (e.g. poor milking, low body condition, etc)

Q

Appearance (type, colour, markings, Society standards, etc)

R

Reproduction abnormality (e.g. freemartin, mal-formed uterus, pelvic area)

Died or missing Code

Description

C

Calving incident (e.g. dystocia, prolapsed)

D

Disease (e.g. pesti, bloat, 3 day, etc)

M

Missing assumed dead

X

Parasites (ticks, buffalo fly, worms, etc)

Y

Unknown cause

Z

Accident (e.g. injury, drowned, poisoned, etc)

Note: The disposal codes submitted for the purposes of removing animals from the female inventory are not currently linked to the female fertility data that is submitted, and likewise disposal codes submitted for the purpose of research into better female fertility EBVs will not remove animals from the female inventory.

Consequently, disposal codes need to be submitted in association with your joining information, even if they have already been submitted with your female inventory.

Recording pregnancy test results

Where pregnancy test results are available, record the date and result of the test for each female joined.

Pregnancy test results should be reported as: N = Not pregnant P = Pregnant A number between 3-20 (i.e. the number of weeks pregnant as advised by a qualified technician. ) Where the foetus is over 20 weeks old, a ‘P’ should be used.

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

13

Recording calf details All calves that are born in the herd need to be recorded with Angus Australia. Not recording all calves (including dead calves) with Angus Australia will compromise the usefulness of the female fertility information.  Joining

details for all cows in the recorded herd need to be collected in order to accurately reflect the cow fertility in the herd.

Simply recording those cows that have a calf or those cows that remain on inventory in the next year is not adequate.

 Ensure

that you record details for all heifers joined – not just the ones that calve or are added to inventory. Information on heifers is very important as many herds cull heifers that do not conceive in the first year of joining.

The heifers that do not calve supply as much information to the analysis as those that do calve.

 Record

the details of all joining events in which the female was involved even if you know the joining was unsuccessful. For situations where females are joined to several bulls in a mating season, record all joinings for each cow and heifer within the joining period, not just the first or successful joining.

14

Angus Australia

 Accurately

recording the fate/disposal codes of all females that leave the herd is extremely

important.

This fate/disposal code information is used to determine whether a female should be penalised for being “culled for infertility” or not penalised because she was culled for other reasons (eg. structure, performance etc.)

 Joining

details for females that have been joined to multiple sire groups (rather than a single sire) should also be recorded. In this scenario, the sire ident that is specified should be the multiple sire ident, rather than the ident of the individual sire that resulted in the calf. Similarly, joining details for females mated to sires not recorded with Angus Australia (e.g. unregistered sires, sires of another breed) should also be submitted.

 Members

with either a very wide calving spread (eg. cows joined all year round) or several calvings each year (eg. an autumn, winter and spring calving) may have difficulty collecting good quality female fertility information. Members in such situations should contact staff at Angus Australia for further advice.

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

15

01062007

01062007

01062007

01062007

01062007

21052007

21052007

21052007

01062007

01062007

01062007

01062007

15072007

ABCA156

ABCA182

ABCA142

ABCA154

ABCA180

ABCA185

ABCA211

ABCA221

ABCA187

ABCA174

ABCT354

ABCU385

ABCU385

03052007

03052007

ABCV452

DEFW127

E

E

E

N

M

M

M

M

Z

Z

Z

Z

Z

Z

N

N

N

Event Code

ABCU034

ABCU034

ABCU034

Sire Ident

15072007

15072007

15072007

Bull Out Date

K9

K9

K9

30082007

B2 30082007

B2 30082007

A3 30082007

A3 30082007

2

2

2

A2

A2

A2

1

1

1

Man Grp

20052007

20052007

20052007

06062007

06062007

05062007

04062007

01062007

01062007

01062007

13062007

14062007

12062007

15072007

15072007

15072007

Event 2 Date

N

N

N

Z

Z

I

I

A

A

A

I

I

I

N

N

N

Event Code

ABCZ001

ABCZ001

ABCZ001

ABCZ021

ABCZ021

UUUA001

UUUA001

UUUA001

ABCZ021

XYZ101

ABCZ021

ABCZ021

ABCZ021

ABCZ021

Sire Ident

Man Grp

12072007

12072007

12072007

18082007

18082007

18082007

Bull Out Date

12062007

15072007

15072007

15072007

02062007

02062007

02062007

16062007

16062007

16062007

Event 3 Date

I

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

Event Code

ABCX222

ABCX222

ABCX222

ABCX222

XYZA002

XYZA002

XYZA002

ABAW123

ABAW123

ABAW123

Sire Ident

01082007

01082007

01082007

Bull Out Date

30082007

30082007

30082007

30082007

16072007

16072007

SIC 16072007

Man Grp

02052007

Flush Date

5

No of Embryos

P

P

N

P

P

P

P

P

P

N

4

10

10

P

N

P

Preg Test Result

10112007

10112007

10112007

10112007

10112007

10112007

10112007

30102007

30102007

30102007 01122007

01092007

01092007

01092007

15092007

D

F

Disposal Disposal Date Code

15092007 01122007

15092007

Date Tested

D. Example of an AI program utilising an initial period of insemination on observed heat (natural) followed by synchronisation of remaining females with insemination on observed heat and then a backup bull. Note that an animal's involvement in an AI program needs to be recorded even if she isn't inseminated e.g. Cow ABCT354

E. Example of an ovum flush and registered cows ET implants

heat and then backup bull. Note that an animal’s involvement AI program needs to be recorded evenn if she aisn’t inseminated C. Example of a asynchronised AI program, followed

by AI atinaanfixed time after synchronisation and then backup bull. e.g Cow ABCT354

D. Example of an AI program utilising an initial period of inseminnation on observed heat (natural) followed by synchronisation of remaining females with insemination on observed

B. Example of a synchronised AI program, followed by AI on observed heat and then a backup bull. Note that you can use different AI semen within the C.same Example of a synchronised AI program, followed by AI at a fixed time after synchronisation and then a backup bull.

AI program.

B. Example of a synchronised AI program, followed by AI on observed heat and then a backup bull. Note that you can use different AI semen within the same AI program.

A. ofnatural a natural mating program, the females were single joined to two different test results and codes are also included.

A.Example Example of mating program, where where the females were single joined to two different bulls.

Preg testbulls. resultsPreg and disposal codes aredisposal also included.

03052007

ABCV456

ABCV456

01062007

Event 1 Date

ABCA163

Cow Ident

EXAMPLEexample OF FEMALE INFORMATION of femaleFERTILITY fertility information

Recording Management Groups

Recording management group information is one of the most important aspects of collecting performance information.

Why are management groups important?

The performance of animals is analysed in contemporary groups to take out the influence of as many of the non-genetic effects as possible (e.g. management, nutrition, feed, year, season, injury, health status). The underlying principle is that only animals that have had an equal opportunity to perform are directly compared together within each contemporary group.

If the contemporary groups are not correctly formed, the EBVs calculated will be less accurate and possibly misleading.

Most of the problems that breeders encounter in “believing” their EBVs can be traced back to incorrect contemporary grouping – either calves being fragmented into isolated groups of only one or two animals (and thereby virtually eliminating those calves from any comparison with their peers) or by not differentiating between calves who performance has been influenced by different non-genetic factors (e.g. differences in management or feeding).

Importantly, the management groups that are submitted with each set of performance information have a major influence on which animals are directly compared within each contemporary group

Assigning management groups Specifying management group information is an important consideration when submitting any performance information. By assigning animals 16

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into management groups, seedstock breeders are acting as “eyes” for the genetic evaluation and ensuring that only the performance for animals that have had the same opportunity to perform is directly compared together.

Animals should be assigned into different management groups in any situation where their performance has been affected by different non-genetic influences to other animals. In practical terms, animals that have been run in the same contemporary group and have had equal opportunity to perform should be grouped together.

Some examples of where animals should be recorded in separate management groups are:

• grain fed animals versus paddock reared animals • some animals are fed for show or sale • some animals being given growth promotants • animals reared in different paddocks in which feed is of different nutritional value • sickness gives some calves a permanent set back • a bull has been fighting and clearly lost weight prior to recording • yearling bulls used as sires compared to those not used as sires • different stages of pregnancy for heifers (try to weigh before joining and certainly before two months) • calves weighed on different scales • calves weighed straight from the paddock as compared to those off feed for say three hours or more • calves that are orphaned

Submitting Research Data to Angus Australia All performance data should be submitted directly to Angus Australia.

The format in which data can be submitted differs subject to the type of information being provided, with data potentially accepted in the one of the following formats:

• Compatible herd recording computer program

Many of the commercially available herd recording computer programs (e.g. StockBook, HerdMASTER, Cattlelink, koolcollect) have the facility to submit data electronically to Angus Australia.

The following formats are not suitable for the submission of performance information for research traits: • Submission facility on Angus Australia website • Paper forms Data should be submitted to Angus Australia shortly after collection, with no limit on the number of times that data can be submitted throughout each year.

• Microsoft Excel templates

Standard Microsoft Excel templates are available that enable data to be submitted electronically to Angus Australia. Copies of the templates are available from the Angus Australia website, with a specific template available for the submission of research trait information.

Method of Submission Information

Compatible Herd Recording Program

Microsoft Excel Template

Submission Facility on Angus Australia website

Time of Recording Paper form

Pre-calving

Calving

Joining

Weaning

Body Condition Score Hip Height Mature Weight Feet & Leg Scores Udder Scores Female Fertility

Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

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Angus Australia

example TEMPLATE FOR SUBMITTING RESEARCH PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Further Information To further discuss the collection and submission of any of the information discussed in this publication, please contact staff at Angus Australia.

Angus Australia Locked Bag 11 Armidale NSW 2350 phone: (02) 6773 4600 email: office@angusaustralia.com.au Version: 1.0 Š 2019 Angus Australia Collection Guidelines for Angus Research

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ANGUS AUSTRALIA Phone: 02 6773 4600 Email: office@angusaustralia.com.au Website: www.angusaustralia.com.au 20 Angus Australia