The British Charolais Cattle Society utilises BREEDPLAN to report EBVs for a variety of economically important traits. These traits can be divided into 3 broad categories: Growth, Fertility/Calving, and Carcase.
In-depth guides explaining these traits, and other aspects of Performance Recording, can be found on our BREEDPLAN Tip Sheets page. Alternatively, visit the BREEDPLAN Help Centre for more information.
The British Charolais Cattle Society also produces two selection indexes based on BREEDPLAN data to aid in selecting stock.
Growth Traits
Birth Weight
Birth Weight EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in calf birth weight. Calf birth weight is the biggest genetic contributing factor causing calving difficulty in heifers. Birth Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kgs) and are calculated based on weights of calves taken at birth.
200 Day Milk
200 Day Milk EBVs are estimates an animal’s maternal effect on the 200 day weight of its calf. In the case of sires, this estimates the maternal effect that his daughters will have on the 200 day weight of their progeny. The 200 Day Milk EBV is expressed as kilograms (kg) of calf live weight at 200 days.
200 Day Weight
200 Day Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to their genetics for growth. 200 Day Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kg) and are calculated from the weights of calves taken between 80 and 300 days of age.
400 Day Weight
400 Day Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in live weight at 400 days of age. 400 Day Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kg) and are calculated from the weights of calves taken between 301 and 500 days of age.
600 Day Weight
600 Day Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in live weight at 600 days of age. 600 Day Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kg) and are calculated from the weights of calves taken between 501 and 900 days of age.
Mature Cow Weight
Mature Cow Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between cows in live weight at 5 years of age. Mature Cow Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kg) and are calculated from weights taken on the cow when her calf’s 200 day (weaning) weight is being measured.
Fertility/Calving Traits
Calving Ease Direct
Calving Ease (DIR) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s calves to be born unassisted from 2 year old heifers. The EBVs are reported as differences in the percentage of unassisted calvings.
Calving Ease Daughters
Calving Ease (DTRS) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s daughters to calve at 2 years of age without assistance. The EBVs are also reported as differences in the percentage of unassisted calvings.
Gestation Length
Gestation Length EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in the number of days from the date of conception to the calf birth date. Gestation Length EBVs are expressed in days and are calculated from the joining date and birth date records for calves conceived by either AI or Hand Mating.
Scrotal Size
Scrotal Size EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age. Scrotal Size EBVs are expressed in centimetres (cm) and are calculated from scrotal circumference measurements taken on bulls between 300 and 700 days of age.
Carcase Traits
Carcase Weight
Carcase Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in hot standard carcase weight (as defined by AUSMEAT) at 650 days of age. Carcase Weight EBVs are expressed in kilograms (kg).
Eye Muscle Area
Eye Muscle Area EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a standard weight steer carcase. EMA EBVs are expressed in square centimetres (cm2 ).
Rib Fat Depth
Rib Fat EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a standard weight steer carcase. Rib Fat EBVs are expressed in millimetres (mm).
Rump Fat Depth
Rump Fat EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the P8 rump site in a standard weight steer carcase. Rump Fat EBVs are expressed in millimetres (mm).
Retail Beef Yield
Retail Beef Yield (RBY) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in boned out retail beef yield in a standard weight steer carcase. RBY EBVs are reported as differences in percentage (%) yield.
Intramuscular Fat
Intramuscular Fat (IMF) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat (marbling) at the 12/13 rib site in a standard weight steer carcase. IMF EBVs are reported as differences in percentage (%) IMF.
Selection Indexes
Terminal Index
The BCCS Terminal Index is aimed at a commercial herd using Charolais bulls over large framed, mixed breed cows to breed steers and heifers to finish at 18 months of age. All progeny are destined for slaughter and no replacement females are selected from within the herd. There is some emphasis on calving ease while finishing steers at around 680kg live weight (375kg carcase weight) using a pasture-based production system supplemented with extra rations during the finishing phase.
Use this index in a commercial herd to produce progeny for slaughter. The index has moderate emphasis on easier calving (i.e. getting a live calf with minimal human interface) while producing calves that will then grow quickly to market specifications at around 18 months of age. The index is focused on slaughter animals and does not account for maternal traits and is therefore not suited to breeding replacement females.
If you are using smaller framed cows or heifers in your herd, then you should also put extra emphasis on a higher calving ease direct EBV when selecting a sire using this index.
Self-Replacing Index
The BCCS Self Replacing Index is aimed at a Charolais herd breeding steers to finish at 16 months of age. Replacement females are selected from within the herd. There is some emphasis on calving ease and maternal traits while finishing steers for slaughter at around 680kg live weight (375kg carcase weight) using a pasture-based production system.
The Self Replacing index is also suitable to using Charolais sires over mixed breed cows where replacement females are sourced from within the herd. There may be some hybrid vigour expressed in the progeny depending on the breed type of the cows used. Therefore you should consider placing extra emphasis on the Calving Ease EBVs (more positive) of the sire to allow for possible heavier birth weights of his calves due to hybrid vigour.
Use this index in both commercial and pedigree herds where you are balancing the requirements of selecting females while also producing animals for slaughter.