2023 Limousin Annual Journal

TECHNICAL
THE UK’S LEADING
LIMOUSINS
There are many
traits that could
be used to
identify leading
Limousin cattle.
The following
tables report on
proven stock sires
only
The ‘Top 10’s’ in this issue:
• Leading Stock Sires on
Abattoir Traits
• Leading Maternal Trait
Stock Sires
• Leading Stock Sires on
Calving Traits
Based on the Breeding
Value update 27/02/23
To choose
your own
criteria, please
go to www.
taurusdata.
co.uk, click on
‘Beef Search’
then ‘Advanced
Search’.
Leading Stock Sires for
Abattoir Traits
• Age to Slaughter GEBV/EBV (days): Indicates genetic
potential for age at slaughter to a standard slaughter weight of
350kgs. Look for high negative values (ie less days) for animals
with potential to reach carcase weights of 350kg quicker.
• Carcase Weight GEBV/EBV (kg): Indicates genetic potential
for carcase weight at a slaughter age of 600 days. Look for
high positive valued (ie more kgs) for animals with potential for
higher carcase weights at 600 days.
• Retail Value: An index incorporating the GEBVs/EBVs for Fillet,
Striploin, Rump, Silverside, Topside and Knuckle. Indicates the
genetic potential for a higher proportion of prime cut relative
to a carcase weight of 350kg. Look for high positive values (ie
more kgs) for animals with potential for a greater weight of
prime cut as a proportion of their carcase weight.
GEBVs and EBVs
GEBVs: Genomic Estimated Breeding
Values. These breeding values use data
from a combination of sources: on-farm
records, national data sets, weekly abattoir
records and, importantly, information from
DNA. Over 30,000 pedigree Limousin cattle
are now genotyped and included within the
GEBV analysis.
EBVs: regarded as the conventional
breeding values, in different combinations
these use the same data sources as the
GEBVs without the information from the
DNA.
The way in which both types of breeding
value are interpreted is exactly the same
144 | BRITISH LIMOUSIN CATTLE SOCIETY www.limousin.co.uk