Angus SteerSELECT Validation

An important feature of Angus SteerSELECT is the comprehensive validation that has been undertaken to ensure it is an effective selection tool, particularly for Australian and New Zealand Angus steers and production systems. 

The validation includes a combination of peer reviewed journal papers and internal validation. Three peer reviewed papers, focusing on the carcase trait genetic predictions, show Angus SteerSELECT can predict differences in phenotype and performance. The papers are:

• “Development of AngusSteerSELECT: a genomic-based tool to identify performance differences of Australian Angus steers during feedlot finishing: Phase 1 validation” with conclusion: Genomic prediction equations can predict differences in carcase weight, marbling score, ossification score and carcase value in both short-fed and long-fed Australian Angus. Reference: Hine B. C. et al (2021). Development of AngusSteerSELECT: a genomic-based tool to identify performance differences of Australian Angus steers during feedlot finishing: Phase 1 validation. Animal Production Science 61, 1884-1892. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN21051

• “Bias, dispersion, and accuracy of genomic predictions for feedlot and carcase traits in Australian Angus steers” with conclusion: Estimates of h2 and GEBV quality metrics suggest a potential for accurate genomic selection of Australian Angus for feedlot performance and carcase traits. Reference: Alexandre, P.A. et al (2021) Dispersion, and accuracy of genomic predictions for feedlot and carcase traits in Australian Angus steers. Genet Sel Evol 53, 77. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-021-00673-8 

• “On the value of adding commercial data into the reference population of the Angus SteerSELECT genomic tool” with conclusion “The strong genomic relationship between the Reference and the Commercial populations, coupled with the significant increases in GEBV accuracies, demonstrated the potential benefits of including the commercial  population into the reference population of a future improved version of the Angus SteerSELECT genomic tool.” Reference Reverter A et al (2023) On the value of adding commercial data into the reference population of the Angus SteerSELECT genomic tool. Animal Production Science 63 (11) 947-956 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN22452