The Weight EBVs are calculated from the live weight performance of animals when they are between 80 and 900 days of age.

Within this age range, BREEDPLAN will use the age of the animal at weighing to determine whether the particular weight is used in the calculation of the 200 Day Growth, 400 Day Weight or 600 Day Weight EBV.

While most stud producers will be reasonably comfortable with how to record the live weights of their animals, there are a number of important considerations that should be made in order to maximise the effectiveness of the live weights that are recorded.

• Weights should be recorded to the nearest kilogram.
• Breeders should choose weighing dates that fit in with their management and are also reasonably close to when the average age of the group of calves is approximately 200, 400 or 600 days old (depending on the respective weight being taken). BREEDPLAN provides suggested weigh dates to assist you with making this decision.
• Do not submit weights for heifers that are more than 3 to 4 months pregnant at weighing, unless they are at a similar stage of pregnancy and have been pregnancy tested. This is most relevant when submitting 600 Day Weights for heifers that are being calved down at 2 years of age.
• BREEDPLAN can analyse up to two weights in each age range (i.e. 2 x 200 day weights, 2 x 400 day weights and 2 x 600 day weights). While there is no requirement to collect multiple weights in each age range, a second weight can help to increase EBV accuracy.
• A management group should be entered for any calf or group of calves that have either been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences since the previous weighing. For example, calves given a supplement should be recorded in a different group to those without a supplement. Consideration should also be given to variations in pasture quality, stocking rates, water quality, etc. Calves that have been sick should also be placed into a separate management group to their peers. Note that blank is a unique management group.
• To ensure the maximum number of calves are analysed in the same management group, you should try to weigh all the animals from one management group on the same day. BREEDPLAN will automatically split your management groups if you weigh on different days.
• Ideally, calves should be weighed when they are in as large a group as possible. Consequently, try to weigh calves before any of the calves in the management group are treated differently. For example, weigh before you castrate some of your bull calves or before the show team is separated out from the rest of the group. 

Submitting DATA for the Weight Traits

Live weight information can be submitted to your BREEDPLAN processing centre using any of the following methods:

• The BREEDPLAN paper performance recording forms (forms can be requested by contacting staff at your BREEDPLAN processing centre).
• The BREEDPLAN compatible Microsoft Excel template (available to download from the Help Centre on the BREEDPLAN website).
• A BREEDPLAN compatible herd recording computer program.
• The web services area offered on some breed society websites.

Please see the Methods of Submitting Data to BREEDPLAN tip sheet, available in the Help Centre on the BREEDPLAN website, for further information.

For more information regarding how to record live weights or Weight EBVs in general, please contact staff at your BREEDPLAN processing centre.