Milk Parameters Updated
Heritability revised to improve accuracy of milk EPDs

As most Hereford breeders are likely aware, the North American Cattle Evaluation (NACE), which provides Hereford EPDs in the U.S. and Canada, is moving to a new home. The Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) in New South Wales, Australia will be conducting the evaluation, with the technical support of the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) of the University of New England, also located in New South Wales. These organizations conduct genetic evaluations for cattle breeds in 10 countries and Hereford is the second American beef breed to move its analysis there. ABRI and AGBU's geneticists are recognized as among the best in the world, and these organizations are well equipped to conduct the NACE.
With the move came the opportunity to evaluate NACE procedures. American Hereford Association (AHA) and Canadian Hereford Association (CHA) representatives, along with ABRI and AGBU staff members, studied the methodology of past evaluations and determined that some changes were needed to ensure the most accurate EPDs possible. Of the committee recommendations, the most noticeable change is the revision of the heritability estimate for maternal weaning weight, or milk, from the previously used estimate of 0.31 to 0.15.

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