Summary

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BIRTH
Calving Ease Direct	(%)	Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s calves to be born unassisted from 2 year old heifers.	Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers.
Calving Ease Daughters	(%)	Genetic differences in the ability of a sire’s daughters to calve unassisted at 2 years of age.	Higher EBVs indicate fewer calving difficulties in 2 year old heifers.
Gestation Length	days	Genetic differences between animals in the length of time from the date of conception to the birth of the calf.	Lower EBVs indicate shorter gestation length.
Birth Weight	kg	Genetic differences between animals in calf weight at birth.	Lower EBVs indicate lighter birth weight.

GROWTH
200 Day Growth	kg	Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to genetics for growth.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.
400 Day Weight	kg	Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 400 days of age.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.
600 Day Weight	kg	Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 600 days of age.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.
Mature Cow Weight	kg	Genetic differences between animals in live weight of cows at 5 years of age.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier mature weight.
Milk	kg	Genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200 days of age due to the maternal contribution of its dam.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier live weight.

FERTILITY
Days to Calving	days	Genetic differences between animals in the time from the start of the joining period (i.e. when the female is introduced to a bull) until subsequent calving.	Lower EBVs indicate shorter time to calving.
Scrotal Size	cm	Genetic differences between animals in scrotal circumference at 400 days of age.	Higher EBVs indicate larger scrotal circumference.

CARCASE
Carcase Weight	kg	Genetic differences between animals in hot standard carcase weight at 750 days of age.	Higher EBVs indicate heavier carcase weight.
Eye Muscle Area	cm²	Genetic differences between animals in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.	Higher EBVs indicate larger eye muscle area.
Rib Fat	mm	Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.	Higher EBVs indicate more fat.
Rump Fat	mm	Genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the P8 rump site in a 400 kg carcase.	Higher EBVs indicate more fat.
Retail Beef Yield	%	Genetic differences between animals in boned out saleable meat from a 400 kg carcase.	Higher EBVs indicate higher yield.
Intramuscular Fat	%	Genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat (marbling) at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.	Higher EBVs indicate more intramuscular fat.

FEED EFFICIENCY
Net Feed Intake (Feedlot)	kg/day	Genetic differences between animals in feed intake at a standard weight and rate of weight gain when animals are in a feedlot finishing phase.	Lower EBVs indicate more feed efficiency.

TEMPERAMENT
Docility	%	Genetic differences between animals in temperament.	Higher EBVs indicate better temperament.

STRUCTURE
Claw Set	Score	Genetic differences between animals in claw set	Lower EBVs indicate a more desirable structure.
Foot Angle	Score	Genetic differences between animals in foot angle	Low EBVs indicate a more desirable structure.

SELECTION INDEXES
The Angus Breeding Index ($A) & Angus Breeding Low Feed Cost Index ($A-L)	$	Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a typical commercial self-replacing herd using Angus bulls. Self-replacing herd Daughters are retained for breeding Identifies animals that will improve profitability in the majority of commercial, self-replacing, grass and grain finishing beef production systems. $A includes an objective of maintaining mature cow weight, whereas the $A-L does not include this objective.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.
Domestic Index ($D) & Domestic Low Feed Cost Index ($D-L)	$	Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting the domestic supermarket trade. Self-replacing herd Daughters are retained for breeding Steer progeny are either finished using pasture, pasture supplemented by grain or grain (e.g. 50 to 70 days). Steer progeny are slaughtered at a carcase weight of 280kg at 16 months of age. Eating quality traits important to suit MSA Program. $D includes an objective of maintaining mature cow weight, whereas the $D-L does not include this objective.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.
Heavy Grain Index ($GN) & Heavy Grain Low Feed Cost Index ($GN-L)	$	Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting pasture grown steers with a 250-day feedlot finishing period for the grain fed high quality, highly marbled markets. Self-replacing herd Daughters are retained for breeding Steer progeny are pasture grown with a 250-day feedlot finishing period. Steer progeny are slaughtered at a carcass weight of 455kg at 24 months of age. Targeting high quality, highly marbled markets with a significant premium for superior marbling. $GN includes an objective of maintaining mature cow weight, whereas the $GN-L does not include this objective.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.
Heavy Grass Index ($GS) & Heavy Grass Low Feed Cost Index ($GS-L)	$	Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd targeting pasture finished steers. Self-replacing herd Daughters are retained for breeding Steer progeny are finished on pasture. Steer progeny are slaughtered at a carcass weight of 350kg at 22 months of age. Eating quality traits important to suit MSA Program. $GS includes an objective of maintaining mature cow weight, whereas the $GS-L does not include this objective.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.
Angus Terminal Sire index ($T)	$	Designed for situations where Angus bulls are being used as a terminal sire over mature breeding females and all progeny, both male and female, are slaughtered. Terminal breeding program where Angus bulls are being used as a terminal sire over mature females. All progeny, both male and female, are slaughtered. Focus on increasing growth, carcase yield and eating quality. No emphasis is given to female fertility or maternal traits.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.
AngusPRO index ($PRO)	$	Genetic differences between animals in net profitability per cow joined in a commercial self-replacing herd based in New Zealand that targets the production of grass finished steers for the AngusPure programme. New Zealand production system Self-replacing herd Daughters are retained for breeding. Steer progeny are finished on pasture for the AngusPure programme. Steer progeny are slaughtered at a carcase weight of 290kg at 20 months of age. Significant premium for steers that exhibit superior marbling.	Higher selection index values indicate greater profitability.

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