More detailed information regarding this selection index is provided in the downloadable document.

Performance Herds Australia currently reports one selection index. This is the MSA-B2 Index.

The selection index described above has been derived using BreedObject software. The BreedObject selection index development process involves four major steps. These steps are:

1. A detailed description of the input costs and value generation of the commercial herd and target production system.
2. Once the target production system is described, the BreedObject software evaluates how each trait influences profitability and the economic value of improving each trait.
3. The BreedObject software then assesses what emphasis needs to be applied to each Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) trait to achieve the maximum profitability in the production system and for the market end point for which that index was designed. This step includes evaluating the selection response expected from direct selection on the individual EBVs and the correlated responses expected from selection on related EBVs.
4. The importance placed on each EBV results in the selection index value that is calculated for each animal.

Each selection index describes a different production system/market scenario and relates to a typical commercial herd using Shorthorn bulls. As is the case for EBVs, each selection index can be used to rank and compare animals on their genetic merit. Producers are advised to use the selection index that most closely aligns to their production system. See the Using the Performance Herds Australia Selection Index tip sheet, available in the Help Centre on the BREEDPLAN website, for further information on the identification and utilisation of the most applicable selection index for your herd.

All selection indexes are reported in units of net profitability per cow mated ($) for the production system/market scenario they describe. Selection indexes account for both sides of the profit equation (costs as well as income), and also reflect the relative short and long term profit associated with possible selection decisions. For example, short term profit can be generated by a bull through the sale of his progeny, and the longer term profit generated by his daughters in a self-replacing cow herd.

The MSA-B2 Index focuses on efficient beef production while also targeting the following specifications:

MSA-B2 Index - Estimates the genetic differences between animals in net profitability ($) per cow joined for a typical self-replacing commercial herd using Shorthorn bulls in either a cool temperate/Mediterranean or warm temperate/grassland environment targeting the production of steers for either the heavy domestic MSA food service market or the Japanese B2 export market. Steers are pasture grown to feedlot entry at 16 months then grain finished for 120 days to be slaughtered at 19 months of age weighing 620kg (340kg HSCW). Selected heifers are retained for breeding and feedlot finished (80 days) to MSA slaughter at 540kg (290kg HSCW) at 18 months of age. The selection index has a focus on maintaining and improving eating quality and thus contains significant premiums for increasing marble score up to marble score 4.

More detailed information regarding this selection index is provided in the downloadable document.

If you have any further queries regarding the Performance Herds Australia Selection Index, please do not hesitate to contact staff at your BREEDPLAN processing centre.