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NZ Hereford Selection Indexes

Selection indexes rank animals for a single production goal - profit. They take the hard work out of knowing how much emphasis to give each of the available growth, maternal, carcase and fertility EBVs when selecting parent animals - an index is a composite EBV of traits best suited to a particular production system and targeted market.

These indexes are calculated for all Hereford animals on the New Zealand Hereford Association database and are derived using BreedObject software and Group Breedplan EBVs. They cover a range of targeted production systems and markets, and reflect the relative emphasis of a range of traits when breeding to improve long-term profitability.

There are three breed-specific selection indexes for Hereford cattle provided for commercial cattle producers by the New Zealand Hereford Association.

Export/Maternal Index
Focuses on the production of a 300kg CW steer off grass by age 20 months from a self replacing cow herd - that is a herd producing females over a 5 year period to continue the breeding policy.

Hereford Prime/Maternal Index
Focuses on producing a 275kg CW steer off grass by age, 18 months from a self replacing cow herd - that is a herd producing females over a 5 year period to continue the breeding policy.

Dairy/Maternal Index -updated 11/12/2009

Aims to produce readily marketable crossbred steers at 475 kg by 16 months, but also a component for the breeding of Hereford Friesian cross heifers.

Typical production parameters, price and costs underlie each selection Index. Benefits and costs evaluated include both those for the sale animal from birth to slaughter and those for the sustainable cow herd.

In pasture phases, feed is assumed a limiting resource for a large part of the year and any increase in feed requirements is a cost item.

The assumed herd calving rate reflects typical rates for Herefords, together with a moderate level of concern that these not change unfavourably.

The relative importance (%) of traits when breeding to optimise profit in commercial Hereford herds for the three Hereford specific market indexes are attached.

The Association wishes to stress the importance of, when using BREEDOBJECT indexes, for breeders to accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of their female herd, then check the EBVs of similar index animals being considered. This is because animals of the same index may have arrived at the same end point by different EBV strengths, which may not take the herd in the direction, desired. Therefore it may be advantageous to check before purchase.