Introduction to TACE

TACE stands for TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation, a genetic evaluation program used by Angus Australia to assess Angus and Angus-influenced beef cattle. It produces Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for various production traits, aiding in the selection and breeding of superior animals. 

An Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) is a prediction of an animal’s genetic merit for a particular trait, based on available pedigree, performance, and genomic information. EBVs assist breeders in making informed selection decisions. 

To participate in TACE, you must: 

• Be a member of Angus Australia. 
• Enrol in the Genetic Evaluation Service. 
• Ensure that the calves you wish to submit performance information for are recorded with Angus Australia. 

To enrol in TACE, nominate the Genetic Evaluation Service when completing the “Membership Application” and return it to the Angus Australia office. There is annual fee associated with enrolment in TACE, the details of this fee can be found in the Angus Australia Fee Schedule, located under Member Forms 

By participating in TACE, you will: 

• Receive a TACE report for your herd, including EBVs for your sires, dams, and progeny. 
• As well as a Genetic benchmarking report, with details on your herd’s genetic trends benchmarked against the Angus breed. 
• Monitor the genetic progress of your herd across various economically important traits. 
• Access other genetic tools that assist in selection and genetic progress, such as Mating Predictor and Internet Solutions EBV-related functions. 
• Have the ability to submit performance records on your animals and receive a DATACHECK report for your herd detailing the number of records submitted for each year drop.  
• Additionally, members will be notified via an exclusions report of any performance data submissions that are flagged as outliers (i.e. outside the expected range), as well as genotype exclusions. 

Once enrolled in TACE, ensure all your calves are recorded with Angus Australia. This includes recording sires, dams, and any purchased animals. After recording, you can start submitting performance data to TACE.
For further details about our TACE Collection Guidelines see the Angus Education Centre Module: Collection Guidelines for TACE 

Additionally, an up-to-date schedule, including submission deadlines, is available on the Angus Australia website. 

TACE produces EBVs for a range of economically important traits, including: 

• Birth traits: Calving Ease Direct, Calving Ease Daughters, Birth Weight, Gestation Length. 
• Growth traits: 200 Day Growth, 400 Day Weight, 600 Day Weight. 
• Maternal: Mature Cow Weight, Mature Cow Body Condition, Mature Cow Height, Milk. 
• Fertility traits: Days to Calving, Scrotal Size. 
• Carcass traits: Carcass Weight, Eye Muscle Area, Rib Fat, Rump Fat, Retail Beef Yield, Intramuscular Fat. 
• Other traits: Docility, Structural Soundness (Claw set, Foot angle, Leg angle). 

For details on interpreting TACE EBVs see the Angus Education Centre module: Understanding EBVs 

It’s recommended to record performance information for traits relevant to your breeding objective, program and your clients’ needs. This may include birth weights, growth measurements, fertility data, carcass traits, and other relevant performance indicators. 

If you would like to discuss developing a breeding objective, please contact our extension team on 02 6773 4600 or at office@angusaustralia.com.au 

TACE analyses are conducted fortnightly. An up-to-date schedule, including submission deadlines, is available on the Angus Australia website. 

After each TACE analysis, which occur fortnightly, updated EBVs are provided through: 

• A TACE Herd Report available in electronic form (PDF) from the file download area on the Angus Australia website. 
• Files containing updated EBVs for downloading into compatible herd recording programs. 
• Updated EBVs displayed on the online EBV Search facility on the Angus Australia website.