1998/99 Ontario Beef Research Update
University of Guelph Publication

CUSTOMIZED SIRE SELECTION ON THE INTERNET

M.T. Lazenby, S.P. Miller, L.R. Banks and J.W. Wilton
Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock
Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph

Currently, two economic selection indexes, Beef Builder and Prime Plus, are available in Ontario to identify bulls with the greatest potential to increase profit in an integrated (birth to slaughter) beef production enterprise. Customized economic selection indexes provide a more precise ranking of sires for a particular farm by simulating the production and marketing situations specific to each farm. Customized, or made-to-order, sire selection indexes enable cow-calf producers to generate a list of bulls which are available for purchase and best suit their herd, management practices and production goals. An overview of BIO-Mate, the customized economic selection index, developed at the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock (CGIL) in conjunction with Beef Improvement Ontario (BIO), is provided.

Introduction

When selecting herd sires, cow-calf producers are forced to make trade-offs on the traits they feel are most important and beneficial. An example of a trade-off between traits would be a bull that has excellent growth potential but also is expected to produce larger than average birth weight in his progeny. A producer could expect increased profit from the progeny of such a bull through fewer days on feed and less feed consumed. However, the increased birth weight will increase calving difficulty, leading to increased frequency of harm or death to the cow and/or calf resulting in a decrease in farm profit. Economic selection indexes find the proper balance of traits such as birth weight and post weaning gain for optimum profit potential from the herd. An integrated beef production system is required to realize the full impact of all of the traits that Beef Improvement Ontario (BIO) measures on bulls.

Economic selection indexes are used globally to improve the genetic potential for profit of many commercial livestock species. These selection indexes are tools producers can use to assist them in the selection of their next herd sire. Currently, BIO offers two selection indexes, Beef Builder and Prime Plus that rank sires based on their expected change in profit if their progeny are utilized in two different production and marketing systems. Selection indexes are powerful because they place the correct amount of emphasis on the economically important traits (growth, carcass, maternal, etc.). Index calculations are based on the economic conditions the livestock are produced in and the market conditions they are sold under. All revenues and costs of the production system are considered in the computer simulation when the index values are calculated.

The indexes take into consideration the expected differences in the progeny and the costs and returns of the increase or decrease in the traits to determine the expected difference in profit of using a particular bull compared to using an average bull. This difference is called the predicted dollar difference (PDD).

As every farm is different, each farm will have different costs of production and management practices and therefore, each will have different requirements for herd sires. For example, some farms will produce their own herd replacements, others will purchase their replacement heifers, while others may sell replacements. Furthermore, individual farms will have different cows depending on the breeding program and individual producers will manage their calves differently between weaning and slaughter. As well, the opportunity to sell market animals to a specialized market for increased revenue may be present. These management, herd and marketing differences alter the economics of the operation and change the emphasis on specific traits when selecting herd sires.

Made-to-order, or customized, selection indexes offer an extra level of compatibility for producers to ensure the right animals are selected for their individual situation.

Materials and Methods

A customized selection index makes use of information that is provided by each individual producer. Information regarding herd size, predominant breed of the herd, genetic potential of the herd, calving rate, replacement rate, feed costs and the production and marketing system used for the finished cattle are required for calculation by the computer program for the sire selection process. The Ontario Farm Management Accounting Program and market information sources provide additional economic information to the computer model used for the selection index. The producer also selects which final market is being targeted for their cattle. For example, a standardized market for lean, high yield carcasses or a more specialized market that requires lightweight highly marbled carcasses.

The genetic information gathered on bulls by BIO determines how the resulting progeny will be expected to grow and perform. The traits considered for selection are birth weight, weaning gain, maternal weaning gain, post weaning gain, feed efficiency, marbling, rib-eye-area, backfat and scrotal circumference. Expected Progeny Difference (EPD’s) and Across Breed Comparison’s (ABC’s) are calculated for each trait allowing bulls to be compared for genetic merit across breeds.

When the production system of the farm is established, through the information provided to the computer program, the sires genetic information contained in the database is used to hypothetically mate the herd to each sire independently to determine which sire provides the greatest increase in expected profit. A list of the bulls, which best suit the producer’s situation, from all evaluated bulls in the province, is then provided. Initial results have shown significant differences in the bulls chosen depending upon the production system used and the market produced for.

Results and Discussion

A customized selection index like this, to be called BIO-Mate, will soon be available from BIO on the Internet using the World Wide Web (WWW). Cow-calf producers will be able to visit the BIO-Mate Web site where they will be able to run a demonstration model of the software. Those that want to use BIO-Mate to help them select a bull will be able to request a password for a small fee. With the password, producers will be able to use the BIO-Mate web site to interactively customize the index for their farm, herd and management practices.

BIO-Mate will use the information provided by the producer to calculate lists of bulls that meet the criteria as specified. These lists, ranked by PDD, will include the genetic information on the prospective herd sires. Also available will be pedigree information and the address and phone number of the breeder of each bull. This will enable the producer to make an informed buying decision and facilitate contact with the breeder of the bull when they are interested in buying.

Using the WWW will allow for the constant updating of new sire information as it becomes available and as new proofs are calculated. Also, use of the WWW eliminates the administration of marketing, selling and distributing software on a diskette because a password is all the user will need to run the program and this can be provided to the user through email or over the phone. The WWW also provides exposure for the software and the opportunity to market the service quickly and effectively anywhere in the world. This will increase the market for Ontario bulls. Most importantly, BIO-Mate offers producers a chance to analyze and evaluate their options when it comes to selecting their next herd sire. With the technology of the WWW, BIO-Mate can be used in the comfort of the producer’s home when they have time to plan for the next breeding season.

BIO-Mate will allow producers to select sires that increase the profit potential from their beef operation. This service will allow producers to make more precise and accurate decisions regarding sire selection, which will allow for increased profitability and efficiency of the beef industry in Ontario.

Funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Beef Improvement Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs are greatly appreciated.