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“EBVs Made Easy” and “Breeding Cattle” Demonstrations

“EBVs Made Easy” will be the theme of a practical demonstration on estimated breeding values at Beef Expo 2008 on May 21.

The UK’s national beef event is being held at Perth Agricultural Centre and is being organised by the National Beef Association with Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsor.

Three of the major beef breeds using the Breedplan performance recording system – Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Simmental – will each demonstrate one yearling bull with a high terminal index and the other with a high self replacing index demonstrating the bull’s suitability as a breeder of replacement females.

“The bulls are similar in appearance but have different performance figures which makes it very difficult for the bull buyer to assess how they might breed without the benefit of EBVs,” said Barbara Webster, breed development manager with the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, who runs the Breedplan recording scheme for the Angus, Charolais, Simmental, Blue and Beef Shorthorn breeds.

“The demonstration will highlight the importance of EBVs to both pedigree and commercial beef producers when they are selecting bulls for breeding.”

Ms Webster and assistant breed development manager, Helena Stewart, will be on hand throughout the day to explain the Breedplan system, which the Angus Society has pioneered in the UK, and discuss the role of EBVs in the selection of breeding stock.

The demonstration will also feature three cross-bred steers and three cross-bred heifers sired by a high self-replacing index bull of each breed.

The British Limousin Cattle Society will also be mounting a similar demonstration using the Signet performance recording system through the BASCO database and available on a websearch on www.limousin.co.uk.

This demonstration will be adjacent to the Limousin stand and Alison Nicol, Signet’s beef specialist, will be on hand throughout the day to explain the Signet system.

The Breedplan demonstration will include two Aberdeen-Angus bulls, Balmachie Keystone G041 and Balmachie Kiwi Sam G034, from John Lascelles, Balmachie, Carnoustie, Angus, with ET calves out of the same dam but sired by The Moss Mr Eshton and TLA Northern Samurai. The Aberdeen-Angus cross steers and heifers are being supplied by George McFadzean, Woodhead of Mailer, Perth.

The two Charolais bulls, Loganbar Balmoral and Loganbar Caly, are coming from Murray Lyle, Mid Cambushinnie, Dunblane, with cross-bred steers and heifers from Robert McNee, Woodend, Armadale.

The two Simmental bulls, Drumsleed Viscount and Drumsleed Vodka, are from Gerald and Morag Smith, Drumsleed, Laurencekirk, with three cross-bred heifers from Robert McGregor, Kirkton of Mailer, Perth, and three cross-bred steers from W Thom, The Byres, Guildtown, Perth.

In line with the overall theme of Beef Expo 2008, “Engage with Beef – Sustainable Systems”, there will be a demonstration of 27 pens of cows and calves and breeding heifers of different breeds and crosses demonstrating under the theme, “Breeding Cattle for a Sustainable System” and backed up with information on breeding, age, weight, age when first calved and – most importantly – location, with many of the cattle coming off the high hills of Perthshire, Central Scotland, Strathmore or the Cheviots.

This demonstration is being sponsored by Caltech and cattle are being provided by the Aberdeen-Angus, British Blue, South Devon, Limousin, Luing, Charolais Simmental, Salers and Whitebred Shorthorn breed societies.

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