BREEDPLAN is the current genetic evaluation system adopted by Herefords Australia and is used locally and internationally for beef breeders.

The outcome of a BREEDPLAN analysis is Estimated Breeding Values (EBV’s) of recorded cattle for a range of traits.

EBV’s calculate an animal’s own performance, performance of any known relatives, the heritability of each trait and the relationship between different traits.

EBV’s express the difference between an individual animal’s genetic merit and the base population to which the animals is compared too.

As of October 2017, Herefords Australia began incorporating Genomic DNA profiles into the BREEDPLAN analysis, which has seen an improved level of genetic linkage of an individual animal to the base population of the Hereford BREEDPLAN herd. This is what is referred to as Single Step.

 

BREEDPLAN – UNDERSTANDING DATA SUBMISISON AND EBV ACCURACY

The Herefords group BREEDPLAN analysis is conducted monthly, with member data submissions due on the 3rd of each month.

EBV’s are updated at the completion of the monthly analysis and published against the individual Hereford animal. A trait EBV will only be published if the accuracy of the specific trait is greater than 25%. Each trait for an animal can then be compared to the breed average, to see how the individual animal compares with the rest of the breed.

Accuracy below 50% tend to be based on little information & will have a greater chance of variation as more data becomes available.

The more trait data that is submitted on an individual animal, the more stable that individual animals EBV’s become. Accuracies then becomes more stable as progeny data is submitted, as genetic linkages to the base population become stronger.

The implementation of genomic testing has seen vast improvements in this area.

Data can be submitted via the BREEDPLAN Recording Template, or via Hereford Live.

http://herefordsaus.dsis.com.au/member-services/forms-and-templates/

 

BREEDPLAN – ENROLMENT

BREEDPLAN membership will be charged at a ‘rate per cow on inventory’. The rate is set on a sliding scale. This ensures that it remains ‘user pay’ and also acknowledges those members with scale. Refer to Schedule of Fees.

Members interested in participating in the Hereford group BREEDPLAN are encouraged to contact the office on (02) 6772 1399 to discuss their requirements of performance recording for their operation.

 

BREEDPLAN have a range of technical tip sheets, on a comprehensive range of topics, that can be found here:

https://breedplan.une.edu.au/help-centre/

Herefords Australia BREEDPLAN updated FAQs

20241128 Hereford BREEDPLAN updated FAQsBREEDPLAN CONTACTS

Catriona Millen | Technical Officer, ABRI

C/- ABRI, UNE, ARMIDALE NSW 2351

Telephone: 02 6773 3357

Fax: 02 6772 5376

Mobile: 0409 102 644

Email: catriona.millen@abri.une.edu.au