Management traits (Australian Breeding Values – ABVs)
Management traits are calving ease, gestation length, feed saved and liveweight.
Calving ease
The Calving Ease ABV is an indicator of how easily a bull’s progeny will be born, not the ease by which his daughters calve. The Calving Ease ABV is expressed as the percentage of normal or easier calvings in mature cows more or less than the average of 100. To improve calving ease from this mating, select bulls with a Calving Ease ABV of at least 100.
Gestation length
The Gestation Length ABV is an indication of an animal’s influence on the number of days from conception to birth. The Gestation Length ABV is expressed as number of days of gestation more or less than the average of zero. To reduce gestation length of this mating, select animals with a Gestation Length ABV of less than zero.
Feed saved
The Feed Saved ABV allows you to breed cows with reduced maintenance requirements for the same amount of milk produced. The Feed Saved ABV is expressed in kilograms of dry matter of feed saved per cow per year more or less than the average of zero. A positive number represents feed saved; a negative number represents extra feed consumed. To improve feed efficiency in your herd, select animals with a Feed Saved ABV greater than zero.
Liveweight
