Genomic breeding value to shake up Limousin bull rankings

Limousin bull rankings will look different in the spring following the introduction of a new genomic breeding value (GBV) for carcass traits.

This is according to Alison Glasgow, technical manager at the society, who told Farmers Weekly that new data from ABP carcass evaluations would provide “much sharper” scrutiny of progeny performance for the breed.

Limousin members are being encouraged to send off blood and hair samples for genotyping to predict breeding merit for key products including: age at slaughter, silverside, rump, striploin, topside, knuckle and fillet.

Mrs Glasgow said she expected “different” bull rankings as a result of the new information and some interesting results.

See also: Top tips for selecting bulls by estimated breeding values (EBVs)

“This will highlight the animals that have been producing calves that grow well to 200 and then 400 days and then continue performing well all the way to slaughter,” she explained.

“Previously we haven’t had the ability to take it beyond this stage of the 400-day weight logged as part of performance recording. The GBV table will be different to the EBV table.”

The first run of genomic results is due in mid-March, although early testing commenced on stock marketed at Carlisle and Stirling last October.

And Mrs Glasgow stressed that while the GBV can be used to select for more muscular animals, the value could inform other important considerations such as abattoir weight specification.

She added: “If animals lack in loin then this can be addressed by choosing bulls rated highly for that trait but the GBVs can also be used to tailor areas where cattle are overdelivering, such as where cattle are too heavy.

“Either way, these values are shortening the distance between breeding and the end market and will capture financial benefits.”