SUSAN SCHOENIANSHEEP & GOAT SPECIALIST

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EXTENSIONSSCHOEN@UMD.EDU

WWW.SHEEPANDGOAT.COM

The value of EBVs for the US meat goat industry

Within herd Across herds

On-farm performance evaluation Adjusted weaning/litter

weights Performance ratios Comparison of fecal egg counts

and/or FAMACHA© scoresUniversity programs

Kentucky Goat Improvement Program

Tennessee State University Oklahoma State University

Central Performance Test Western Maryland Oklahoma Pennsylvania

EBVs and EPDs NSIP (US/Australia) MGGES (US/Brazil)

Genomics (future)

Making genetic improvement in meat goat herds

What is an EBV?

EBV is an acronym. It stands for Estimated Breeding Value.

An EBV quantifies the genetic merit of an animal (for breeding).

It is a mathematical, computer-generated prediction of an animal for economically-important traits.

For anyone familiar with EPDs (used in cattle), an EBV is twice the value of an EPD (P=progeny).

EBVs can be calculated for any trait for which data can be collected.

Another acronym. What is NSIP?

NSIP stands for National Sheep Improvement Program.

NSIP is the organization that provides EBVs for the US sheep and goat industry.

NSIP data is processed by Sheep Genetics in Australia; there is both a LAMBPLAN and a KIDPLAN.

Other animal industries and countries have similar programs.

Small ruminant dairy producers should use DHIA, not NSIP.

What traits does NSIP measure?

EBVs currently available through KIDPLAN

Fertility traitsNumber of kids born (NKB, %)Number of kids weaned (NKW, %)Scrotal circumference (SC, cm)

Live weight traitsBirth weight (BWT, kg)Weaning weight (WWT, kg)Maternal weaning weight (MWWT, kg)Post-weaning weight (PWWT, kg)Yearling weight (YWT, kg ) Hogget weight (HWT, kg)Adult weight (AWT, kg)

Carcass traitsFat depth (FAT)(post-weaning, yearling, hogget)Eye muscle depth (EMD)(post-weaning, yearling, hogget)Carcass weight (CWT)

Worm egg count Weaning (WWEC)Post-weaning (PWEC)Yearling (YWEC)

IndexesBoer Goat $ IndexCarcass Plus Index

Indexes for Australian goat producers

Boer Goat $

Carcass Plus

What might an index for Kikos look like?

Trait EBV ContributionNumber of kids weaned

NKW 50

Maternal milk MWWT 15Weaning weight WWT 15Worm egg count PWEC 20

Katahdin (hair sheep) Ewe Breed Index0.246 x WWT EBV + 2.226 x MWWT EBV + 0.406 x NLW EBV – 0.035 x NLB EBV

Add PWWT (post-weaning weight) and EMD (eye muscle depth) or CWT (carcass weight) to create multi-purpose index

Understanding the numbers

Understanding the numbers

1. Herd EBVs 2. (Across-herd) EBVs

Within-herd EBVs are calculated when a herd is not connected to other NSIP flocks.

EBVs on individual animals can only be compared to animals in the same herd.

Herd has genetic linkages with other NSIP herds.

EBVs from individual animals can be compared to EBVs from individuals in other herds, regardless of geographic location or production system.

There are two kinds of EBVs.

THESE CHARACTERISTICS ARE THE ANIMAL’S PHENOTYPE . THEY INCLUDE TRAITS WHICH

WE CAN MEA SURE OR OBSERVE .

All animals have a set of characteristics that represent

their value to a producer.

Number bornBirth weightWeaning weightLoin depthFecal egg count Frame size. . . and many more.

Genetics

Phenotype is the result of the animal’s genetics (genotype), as well as the

environment in which it was/is raised.

Phenotype Environment

Most (75-90%) of the differences we see between animals are the result of

environment, management, and/or chance.

The remain ing d ifferences are the resu l t o f genet ics .

Th is may seem smal l , but genet ics i s permanent and compounding .

EBVs he lp ident i fy the port ion of d ifferences that are due to genet ics .

EBVs are more accurate than on - farm and centra l i zed tes t ing .

How are EBVs are calculated?

EBVs are calculated by accounting for known sources of variation for each (phenotypic) trait.

Environment Genetics

Heritability Genetic relationships Genetic correlations

Production environment Fixed effects

PenPastureDietHealthManagement

Adjustment factors are used to correct for fixed effects of differences in environment.

Adjustment factors standardize traits (e.g. weaning weights) to a common birth and rearing type.

Type of birth (single) Type of rearing (single) Age of dam (3-6 years)

Environment is a large source of variation.

The effect of genetics on a trait varies.

The variation in the proportion of genetics on a certain trait is called heritability (h2).

ReproductiveLow (5-20%)

GrowthModerate (10-50%)

CarcassModerate (10-45%)

FiberModerate to high (25-55%)

LactationModerate (15-35%)

Parasite resistanceModerate to high (25-50%)

Number of kids born is only ~10% heritable.

EBVs account for relationships between animals.

Offspring inherit roughly 50% of their genes from their sire and 50% of their genes from their dam.

Half-sibs share about 25% of their genes.

First cousins share approximately 12.5% of their genes.

Even distantly-related animals share some genes.

EBVs account for genetic correlations.

Most performance traits are not controlled by a single gene, but rather have multiple genes that control the genetic portion of trait expression.

Positive correlations mean that increases in one trait will result in increases in another trait. For example: birth weight (BWT)

and weaning weight (WWT) have a genetic correlation of 0.3.

On the other hand, some traits have negative genetic correlations, such as staple length (SL) and fiber diameter (FD).

EBVs are calculated from…

1. Data for trait measured.E.g. weaning weight

2. Data from correlated traits.birth weight, post-weaning weight

3. Date from relatives.sire, dam, siblings, cousins, distant relatives

4. Factoring in heritability.10-50%

EBVs are comparisons to the herd or NSIP breed average.

Strength of EBVs is highly dependent on three concepts.

CONTEMPORARY GROUPSGENETIC

CONNECTIONSACCURACY

What is a contemporary group?

A group of kids that are born within 45 days of each other and have been managed the same way.

Same feed Same pasture Same health protocol

Good contemporary groups have at least two sires and enough offspring (usually at least 20) from each sire. A “management” group.

These aren’t contemporary groups.

Different breeds/crosses. Kids born in different seasons or

more than 45 days apart. Kids whose dams were separated

for preferential feeding or grazing. Creep-fed vs. non creep-fed kids. Kids raised in different locations. Fostered kids. Kids removed for artificial rearing.

Importance of genetic linkages

When animals share some percentage of the same genetics.

Genetic linkages provide a means to compare the performance of animals in different herds.

Genetic linkages are best accomplished by using the same male in two or more participating herds.

I’m coming to your farm

next.

What are EBV accuracy values?

A measure of confidence in an animal’s EBV.

How representative is the EBV of the animal’s true breeding value?

Accuracy values range from 0 to 100.

The higher the accuracy value is, the more confident we can be in the EBV.

Accuracy values are affected by… The amount of performance data that is

available on the animal and its parents. The heritability of the trait. The size of the group in which the animal

was compared.

Who should enroll in NSIP?

Purebred producers who want to improve the accuracy of their selection.

Producers whose herds are large enough to use multiple sires and have enough animals to create meaningful contemporary groups.

Producers who can provide pedigree data (single sire matings) on progeny.

Producers who are willing to measure, record, and submit the required data; many producers are already collecting the necessary data.

Producers who have or are willing to create genetic linkages with other breeders.

NSIP IS SCIENCE-BASED, INDUSTRY-TESTED.

Participation in NSIP

Sheep Dorset (9) Hampshire (12) Katahdin (~50) Polypay (~30) Shropshire (8) Suffolk (~30) Targhee (~26) Other breeds have fewer than 3

flocks enrolled.

There are only four meat goat herds currently enrolled in NSIP.Source: NSIP, Feb. 10, 2016

Can producers with small herds in NSIP?

Anyone can enroll their herd in NSIP.

Small herds should purchase or lease bucks with EBVs.

Small herds need to use two sires for breeding.

Rate of genetic progress will be slower with small herds.

Herd EBVs instead of (across-herd) EBVs can be calculated, if there are no connections to other NSIP herds.

15 does

SIRE A

15 does

SIRE B

25 kidsSIRE A

25 kidsSIRE B

30 does of same breed

• EB Vs ar e equa l l y benefic ia l to sheep and goat p r oducer s .

• Whi le NSIP u ses sheep te r mino logy ( ewe , r am, an d l amb) , i t cou ld ch an ge i f mor e goa t p roducer s wer e enr o l l ed i n NSI P.

• Sheep Gene t i cs Aus t ra l i a a l so has a KI DPLAN .

• Dr. Ken Andr i e s f rom Ken tucky S ta te Un i ver s i t y i s NSI P coord i na tor f o r goa t s .

I’m a goat producer. Why should I enroll in the

National Sheep Improvement Program?

Purebred producer Commercial producer

Enroll your herd in NSIP and use EBVs to improve your accuracy of selection for economically important traits.

Purchase breeding stock, especially bucks, with above average EBVs or indexes (enrolled and non-enrolled herds; small herds).

Establish values for your breeding stock.

Purchase bucks with above-average EBVs or indexes. Direct from breeder Performance sales

How would I use EBVs in my herd?

Balanced selection Single trait selection

Most common (recommended) practice.

Choose animals that are above-average in all traits.“Breed the best to the best.”

Use indexes to help make selection decisions.

Focus on small number of traits. Correct problem in herd Create elite herd for

specific trait(s).

Riskier goal Need to be beware of

unintended consequences (problems) that can results with single or narrow trait selection.

How would I use EBVs to select better animals?

Match production system and goals to EBVs.

If you sell 40-lb. kids, put selection emphasis on weaning weights, not post-weaning weights.

In pasture-based operations, it is important to select for parasite resistance (low worm egg counts).

Select for number of kids weaned and against number of kids born to favor does that raise their kids.

Prolific herds may want to select for maternal weaning weights to reduce number of orphan kids.

Required Optional

Date of birth Birth type Rear type Sire and dam info Contemporary (or

(management) groups Birth weight Weaning weight Post weaning weight

Worm egg counts(weaning, post-weaning, adult)

Scrotal circumference Ultrasound scan data Fiber traits

What do I need to measure and record?

How do I enroll my herd in NSIP? Go to NSIP.org Print and fill out the

enrollment form. Send with check to NSIP. Enrollment fees are waived for

first year members and for three years for members younger than 22 (as of 1/1/16).

However, there is a $100 data fee deposit (is refunded after data is submitted).

Start collecting and entering data.

Annual enrollment Data fee

Based on size of herd $100

$2.50 x doe $25 for additional

breed• Capped at $400- $25 early bird credit

Based on number of kids with post birth measurement. $2.85 per animal,

excluding animals designated as culls or commercials.

Covers lifetime of animal.

How much do EBVs cost?

Herd with 40 does$100 + (40 x $2.50) = $200

Will EBVs make me money?

The primary purpose of EBVs (and EPDs) is to make genetic improvements in your own herd (i.e. increase profitability).

There is an increasing demand for sheep with EBVs. SW Virginia Ram Test Center of the Nation

NSIP Sale (Iowa) Montana Ram Sale NSIP sale in East [?] Goats (eventually ?)

Buck with an EBV of +10.0 for NKWDaughters will produce 0.10 more kidsThat’s 10 more kids per 100 kiddings10 extra kids x $150/kid = $1500

Buck with EBV of +3.0 for WWTProgeny will be 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) heavier at weaning than average3.3 lbs x $2.50/lb = $7.26/kid50 kids x $7.26 = $363100 kids x $7.26 = $726

Tips for making NSIP/EBVs work for you.

Collect the right data at the right time

Plan breeding groups to test genetics.

Maintain good contemporary groups.

Cooperate with other NSIP breeders.

Communicate with commercial producers.

Be honestBe patient and trust the

data.

CAN CAN’T

Select doe replacements for economically-important traits.

Make purchasing decisions. Make culling decisions. Select herd sire(s) Increase the accuracy of selection

for superior performance. Set value of breeding stock. Increase profitability of enterprise. Improve productivity of breed.

Tell if an animal is structurally connect.

Tell if an animal has good conformation.

Tell if an animal has good breed character.

Tell if an animal has a genetic defect (e.g. bad bite).

Replace visual appraisal. Force you to make the right

breeding decisions.

What EBVs can and can’t do

MAYBE, MAYBE NOT

E BVs iden t i f y poor per forming an imal s .

An ima ls w i thou t E BVs cou ld be ge ne t i ca l l y

super io r ( o r i n fe r i o r ) , bu t there i s no way o f know ing .

Are animals with EBVs better than animals without EBVs?

“If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”

N AT I O N A L S H E E P I M P R OV E M E N T P R O G R A Mh t t p : / / n s i p . o r g

D ATA G I V E S G O AT P R O D U C ER S A L O O K AT T H E W H O L E PA C KA G E

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Information about EBVs (and NSIP) online.

Thank you for your attention.Questions? Comments

SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistUniversity of Marylandsschoen@umd.eduwww.sheepandgoat.com