P.PSH.1172 - Australian Angus Reference Population

Summary

With genomic technology now an important additional source of information to enhance the rate of genetic improvement, Angus Australia extended a reference population project, known as the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP), in 2019. This was preceded by the first phase of the ASBP that ran from 2010 to 2018 (P.PSH.0528).

The results from this project will be used to inform the Trans-Tasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE) and provide higher accuracy Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for breeding candidate (bulls and heifer) selection in seedstock and commercial herds. Subsequently this will deliver higher rates of genetic gain in the Australian Angus populations and production gains for the Australian beef supply chain.

Objectives

The project objectives were:
• addition of at least 3,375 Angus progeny to the Australian Angus reference population from at least 120 sires.

The progeny will be phenotyped for:
• calving traits – birth weight, calving difficulty, gestation length
• weight traits – 200, 400 and 600 day weights
• docility
• immune competence in weaners (sample of herds only)
• live animal ultrasound scans for carcase traits
• rib fat
• rump fat
• intramuscular fat (IMF)
• eye muscle area (EMA)
• structural Assessment and type traits – feet, legs, coat
• feed intake on steers
• MSA grade data on steers
• meat image Japan camera carcase grade on steers
• meat sample laboratory assay for IMF%, fatty acid profile, iron and zinc content on steers
• pregnancy status, fertility and calving outcomes from heifers to first-parity
• DNA samples will be collected on all sires and progeny with genomic profiles generated
• genotypes and relevant phenotypes promptly included in the Angus BREEDPLAN analysis for delivery to industry
• increasing rate of genetic gain by 2.5% annually across the Angus influenced population.

Key findings

The ASBP has successfully added 145 sires and 2,961 progeny to Australian Angus Reference population that informs the Trans-Tasman Angus cattle Evaluations (TACE) to produce Estimated Breeding Value (EBVs). The phenotypes have resulted in moderate to high TACE EBV accuracies for the ASBP sires. Additionally, DNA samples were collected on all ASBP sires, and their progeny, with subsequent genomic profiles generated of sufficient density for inclusion in the single-step TACE analysis.

Benefits to industry

This project has provided confidence in genomic testing Angus cattle for inclusion in genetic evaluation programs. This is demonstrated through the exponential increase in genomic testing by Angus Australia members in recent years. Outcomes from this project have also contributed to increasing the rate of genetic gain in the Australian Angus population, resulting in an estimated $74.7 million after 10 years to 2033, or $707 million after 30 years to 2053 through additional genetic gain.

MLA action

There is no further direct MLA action as commercial companies invest long term in this research. MLA can provide data analytics and support where possible.

Future research

Further work is recommended to maintain and grow this population, particularly for the hard-to-measure traits and to ensure that it remains contemporary. This is being addressed in the short-term with Angus Australia fully funding the core of the reference population program, and adding on overlay co-funded projects, like the Low Methane Beef programs (P.PSH.2012). Further work is also required to understand how lower-cost commercial, routinely collected data on genotyped animals could be harnessed to maintain reference populations.