Interpreting Genetic Testing

Explanation of Results in Attached File for Recessive Genetic Condition testing:
N – the sample was tested, returning a Non-carrier result. Will display on the web as _ _F
C – the sample was tested, returning a Carrier result. Will display on the web as _ _C
A – the sample was tested, returning an Affected result. Will display on the web as _ _A
NR – the sample was tested, however no result was able to be obtained. Please collect a new sample and submit a new DNA request form.

POLLED Testing;
HH – HORNED. No copies of the Polled molecular marker are present.
HPc – POLLED. One copy of the Polled-Celtic molecular marker is present.
PcPc – POLLED. Two copies of the Polled-Celtic molecular marker are present.
HPf – POLLED. One copy of the Polled-Friesian molecular marker is present.
PcPf – POLLED. One copy of the Polled-Celtic and one copy of the Polled-Friesian molecular marker are present.
PfPf – POLLED. Two copies of the Polled-Friesian molecular marker are present.
NR – the sample was tested, however no result was able to be obtained. Please collect a new sample and submit a new DNA request form.

TEND Testing;
Increase in “tenderness” is associated with favourable alleles seen within the selected marker panel.
In this report, the combined genotype results have been scored between 1 to 10, where 10 has the most favourable number of alleles present.

SCD Testing;
Results presented reflect the allelic variation at a specific site in the SCD gene that Changes the corresponding amino acid form Valine (V) to Alanine (A)
which has a specific relationship to the melting point of fat in wagyu, and hence enhances palatability.
AA – Two Copies of the Alanine Allele are present. Preferred Type
AV – One Copy of the Valine Allele and once copy of the Alanine Allele are present.
VV – Two Copies of the Valine Allele are present.

EBV Interpretation

Gestation Length EBV (days) is an estimate of the time from conception to the birth of the calf and is based on Artificial Insemination and hand mating records. Lower (negative) Gestation Length EBVs indicate shorter gestation length and therefore easier calving and increased growth after birth.

Birth Weight EBV (kg) is based on the measured birth weight of progeny, adjusted for dam age. The lower the value the lighter the calf at birth and the lower the likelihood of a difficult birth. This is particularly important when selecting sires for use over heifers.

200-Day Growth EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 80 and 300 days of age. Values are adjusted to 200 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for growth to early ages.

400-Day Weight EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 500 days of age, adjusted to 400 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for yearling weight.

600-Day Weight EBV (kg) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 501 and 900 days of age, adjusted to 600 days and for age of dam. This EBV is the best single estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for growth beyond yearling age.

Mature Cow Weight EBV (kg) is based on the cow weight when the calf is weighed for weaning, adjusted to 5 years of age. This EBV is an estimate of the genetic difference in cow weight at 5 years of age and is an indicator of growth at later ages and potential feed maintenance requirements of the females in the breeding herd. Steer breeders wishing to grow animals out to a larger weight may also use the Mature Cow Weight EBV.

Milk EBV (kg) is an estimate of an animal’s milking ability. For sires, this EBV indicates the effect of the daughter’s milking ability, inherited from the sire, on the 200-day weights of her calves. For dams, it indicates her milking ability.

Scrotal Size EBV (cm) is calculated from the circumference of the scrotum taken between 300 and 700 days of age and adjusted to 400 days of age. This EBV is an estimate of an animal’s genetic merit for scrotal size. There is also a small negative correlation with age of puberty in female progeny and therefore selection for increased scrotal size will result in reduced age at calving of female progeny.

Carcase Weight EBV (kg) is based on abattoir carcase records and is an indicator of the genetic differences in carcase weight at the standard age of 990 days.

Eye Muscle Area EBV (sq cm) is calculated from measurements from live animal ultrasound scans and from abattoir carcase data, adjusted to a standard 420kg carcase. This EBV estimates genetic differences in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site of a 420kg dressed carcase. More positive EBVs indicate better muscling on animals. Sires with relatively higher Eye Muscle Area EBVs are expected to produce better muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny at the same carcase weight than will sires with lower Eye Muscle Area EBVs.

Rump Fat EBV (mm) is calculated from measurements of subcutaneous fat depth at the P8 rump site (from live animal ultrasound scans and from abattoir carcases) and is adjusted to a standard 420kg carcase. This EBV is an indicator of the genetic differences in fat distribution on a standard 420kg carcase. Sires with low, or negative, fat EBV are expected to produce leaner progeny at any particular carcase weight than will sires with higher EBVs.

Retail Beef Yield EBV (%) indicates genetic differences between animals for retail yield percentage in a standard 420kg carcase. Sires with larger EBVs are expected to produce progeny with higher yielding carcases.
Marble Score EBV (Aus-Meat Marble Score) is an estimate of the genetic difference in the Aus-Meat Marble Score in a 420kg carcase. Larger more positive values are favourable.

Marble Fineness EBV (Camera Marbling Fineness Index) is an estimate of the genetic difference in the Marbling Fineness Index as measured by the Japanese Digital Image Camera. Sires with higher EBVs are expected to produce progeny with higher Marbling Fineness Index.

Selection Indices

Index values are reported as EBVs, in units of relative earning capacity ($’s) for a given market. They reflect both the short-term profit generated by a sire through the sale of his progeny, and the longer-term profit generated by his daughters in a self-replacing cow herd. A selection index combines the EBVs with economic information (costs and returns) for specific market and production systems to rank animals based on relative profit values. Note that different types of animals can give similar profit values, so consideration should be given to both the index and the component EBVs when selecting animals for a particular production system. More information is available on selecting animals using a selection index.

The Index values are derived using BreedObject technology. More information is available from the BreedObject web site.

Wagyu selection indices are calculated for three standard market specifications and are designed to optimise profit outcomes from commercial self-replacing, fullblood terminal and F1 terminal production systems. More information is available on Wagyu Selection Indices.

Wagyu Breeders Index ($) – The Wagyu Breeder Index (WBI) can be used to select Fullblood bulls that will produce females with high genetic merit for growth and breed average slaughter progeny for marbling. The WBI is suited to commercial producers who rely on low-input, grass-based production systems to produce steer progeny for high feedlot entry weight and high growth daughters. Heifers are retained for breeding and therefore maternal traits are of importance. Steers are assumed to be slaughtered at 32 months after 550 days of feedlot finishing targeting 460kg carcases with breed average Marble Score.

Self-replacing Index ($) – The Self-replacing Index (SRI) Index can be used to select Fullblood bulls that will produce females with moderate genetic merit for growth and above breed average slaughter progeny for marbling (targeting marble score higher than 8). The SRI is suited to commercial producers who provide supplementary feeding on grass-based production systems to produce steer progeny of average feedlot entry weight and moderate growth daughters. Heifers are retained for breeding and therefore maternal traits are of importance. Steers are assumed to be slaughtered at 32 months after 550 days of feedlot finishing targeting 435kg carcases with above average Marble Score – higher than 8.

Fullblood Terminal Index ($) – The Fullblood Terminal Index (FTI) has increased weighting on the Marble Score EBV and can be used to select bulls for the production of profitable slaughter animals where no progeny are retained for breeding. The FTI is suited to commercial producers of Fullblood cattle who provide supplementary feeding to grass-based production system before feedlot entry. The FTI targets to produce steer and heifer progeny of average feedlot entry weight and Marble Score significantly higher than 8.

F1 Terminal Index ($) – The F1 Terminal Index (F1 Index) has predominant weighting on the Marble Score EBV and can be used to select bulls for the production of profitable slaughter animals from cross-breeding where no progeny are retained for breeding. The F1 Index is suited to commercial producers of crossbred slaughter cattle using Fullblood bulls and non-Wagyu females. The F1 Index targets average carcase weight for steer progeny of 420kg and 387k