Page 67 - Hereford Magazine 2022

only low – about 25%. This means that selecting on positive
fat depth EBVs to improve cow condition is a reasonably
ineffective tool, although it is currently the only indicator
available. To be fair, the fat depth EBVs were never intended to
be used for this purpose
– they were developed to
“There is good reduce subcutaneous fat
justification from the carcass while
for instead adding marbling.
“There is good
measuring body justification for instead
condition of measuring body condition
cows directly of cows directly and using
and using that that to produce an EBV for
to produce cow body condition.
“Everyone knows cows
an EBV for cow can be heavy because
body condition.” they are tall and lean, or
because they are moderate
and in better condition.
Currently, we only have a tool that gives the weight. If we
have a cow condition score, that tool becomes more valuable,
because the numbers can differentiate – and enable farmers
to also distinguish between bulls that will breed lean cows
versus the moderate, well-conditioned, more desirable cow.
“These are measurements that have come out of the analysis
and we would like them to be a focus of work going forward in
the programme.”
Dr Jason Archer, genetics specialist for the Progeny Test
programme.

Year 2022 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 65