An Introduction
to KIDPLAN
Through the use of pedigree and performance information, KIDPLAN provides simple, practical
information on the value of an animal’s genes for production in the form of estimated breeding
values (EBVs) and specialised indexes. Only KIDPLAN provides a benchmarking system that
allows breeders to track the level of improvement in the genetic makeup of their flock.
Estimated Breeding Values
Goat Genetic Improvement
EBVs allow you to evaluate an animal’s genetic
potential for a range of traits that directly impact
on the profitability of your goat production
enterprise. KIDPLAN provides flexibility
enabling goat breeders to concentrate on the
traits considered important to their breeding
objective and the requirements of their clients.
The Boer goat has demonstrated superior
growth rates and carcase traits compared to the
feral goat. Together with fertility and resistance
to disease these traits have a marked impact
on profitability and can be improved through
genetic selection.
EBVs are available for the following production
traits: growth/weight, carcase (fat and eye
muscle depth), reproduction and worm egg
counts allowing Boer and meat goat producers
to maximise profits.
EBVs are calculated from an analysis of
pedigree and performance information
contained in the KIDPLAN database. EBVs
accurately identify the value of an animal’s
genes by utilising three sources of information:
1. Performance measurements
(including performance of all
relatives)
2. Knowledge of environmental factors
affecting performance
3. Knowledge of how strongly different
traits are inherited (heritability)
Genetically superior bucks on average produce:
 Kids that grow quicker - reducing time to
slaughter
 Kids that meet carcase specifications
Daughters with higher milking potential and
greater fertility
Genetically superior does on average produce:
 More kids
 Kids with higher growth rates
Kids with higher carcase weight and value
Does with higher maternal weaning weights
provide goat breeders with more opportunity to
produce Capretto carcases. As a result of
successful breeding programs Boer goats are
now on average faster growing, leaner and
better muscled.
Indexes
When a breeding objective
requires emphasis to be placed
on more than one trait, a
selection index is used to give a
combined EBV for the key traits
involved. There are two indexes
available for goat producers, the
Boer Goat $ Index and the
Carcase Plus Index.
Boer Goat $ Index
Trait
EBV
Predicted 10yr
response
Weaning Weight
WWT
+2.5kg
24%
Maternal Weaning
Weight
MWWT
+2.1kg
17%
Yearling Weight
YWT
+3.8kg
24%
Yearling Fat
YFAT
+0.1mm
9%
Yearling EMD
YEMD
+1.5mm
25%
Number of Kids Weaned
NKW
+1/100 does
1%
Relative Emphasis
Carcase Plus Index
Trait
EBV
Predicted 10
yr Response
Relative
Response
Contribution to
economic gain
Post Weaning Weight
PWT
2.0 kg
60%
70%
Fat Depth
PFAT
-0.3 mm
20%
15%
Eye Muscle Depth
PEMD
0.6 mm
20%
15%
For more information contact KIDPLAN:
Ph: (02) 6773 2948
info@sheepgenetics.org.au
www.sheepgenetics.org.au
Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364
Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, MLA cannot accept responsibility
for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in the publication. You should make your own
enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. You may also contact MLA on 1800 023 100. MLA accepts no
liability for any losses incurred if you rely solely on this publication.
Reproduction in whole or part of this publication is prohibited without prior consent and acknowledgement of Meat & Livestock
Australia. Meat & Livestock Australia acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the
research and development detailed in this publication.
© Meat & Livestock Australia (2014)
Understanding
KIDPLAN EBVs
How to read a KIDPLAN report
Tag number of the buck
showing the year of birth
(2001) and the animal’s
identification (No.1).
Bucks with positive EBVs
for growth produce kids
that grow quicker and
reach target weights in a
shorter time. This buck
will produce kids that
2.75kg heavier than a
buck with a 0 EBV for
growth.
Bucks with a positive
figure for eye muscle
depth (EMD) produce kids
that have a higher
proportion on lean meat in
the carcase. This Buck
will produce kids that have
an eye muscle 0.6mm
deeper at a constant
carcase weight.
An index is a guide to the
value of a buck for a
particular target market.
Bucks with higher indexes
will produce kids or
breeding does that are
more suited to that
particular market.
Lot
Number
Tag
Number
MWWT
(kg)
Growth
(kg)
FAT
(mm)
EMD
(mm)
NKW
(%)
Index
2
010001
2.94
5.5
-0.15
1.20
4
114.6
Bucks with positive EBVs
for MWWT (maternal
weaning weight) will
produce daughters who
will wean heavier kids.
This EBV reflects a
combination of the
daughters’ ability to milk
and provide a better
maternal environment.
Bucks with a negative
EBV for fat produce kids
that are leaner at the
same weight. This animal
will produce progeny that
are 0.25mm leaner than
an animal with a 0 EBV
for FAT.
Bucks with a more
positive number of kids
weaned (NKW) EBV will
sire daughters that wean
a higher percentage of
kids. This buck will sire
daughters which, on
average will wean 2%
more kids.
Please note: When converting EBVs into production terms simply halve the EBV (as the
buck contributes half the genetics of the kid, with the other half coming from the doe).
Contact KIDPLAN
P: 02 6773 2948
E: info@sheepgenetics.org.au
W: www.sheepgenetics.org.au
Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited
ABN 39 081 678 364
KIDPLAN EBV
Definitions
LIVE WEIGHT TRAITS
Birth Weight (kg) BWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in weight at birth.
Weaning Weight (kg) WWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in liveweight at 100 days of age.
Maternal Weaning Weight (kg) MWWT
MWWT EBVs are an estimate of the doe’s
potential for milk production and ability to
provide a better maternal environment. They
are expressed as kilograms of weight at
weaning.
Post Weaning Weight (kg) PWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in liveweight at 225 days of age.
Yearling Weight (kg) YWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in liveweight at 360 days of age.
Hogget Weight (kg) HWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in liveweight at 450 days of age.
Adult Weight (kg) AWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in liveweight at 540 days of age.
CARCASE TRAITS
Fat Depth (mm) FAT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in fat depth at the GR site.
Post Weaning: PFAT estimates the genetic
difference in GR fat depth at
45kg liveweight.
Yearling:
YFAT estimates the genetic
difference in GR fat depth at
60kg liveweight.
Hogget:
HFAT estimates the genetic
difference in GR fat depth at
70kg liveweight.
Eye Muscle Depth (mm) EMD
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in EMD at the C site.
Post Weaning: PEMD estimates the genetic
difference in EMD at the C site
at 45kg liveweight.
Yearling:
YEMD estimates the genetic
difference in EMD at the C site
at 60kg liveweight.
Hogget:
HEMD estimates the genetic
difference in EMD at the C site
at 70kg liveweight.
Carcase Weight (kg) CWT
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals in carcase weight at 300 days of age.
FERTILITY TRAITS
WORM RESISTANCE
Number of Kids Born (%) NKB
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals for number of kids born each lambing
opportunity.
Number of Kids Weaned (%) NKW
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals for number of kids weaned each
lambing opportunity.
Scrotal Circumference (cm) SC
Estimates the genetic difference between
animals for scrotal circumference.
Yearling: YSC estimates the genetic difference
between animals for scrotal
circumference at 360 days of age.
Hogget: HSC estimates the genetic difference
between animals for scrotal
circumference at 450 days of age.
Worm Egg Count WEC
This EBV describes the value of an animals
genes for carrying worm burdens - a
combination of being genetically less likely to
pick up worms and being able to cope
immunologically with the worm burden.
Weaning:
WWEC estimates the genetic
difference in worm burden at
100 days of age.
Post Weaning: PWEC estimates the genetic
difference in worm burden at
225 days of age.
Yearling:
YWEC estimates the genetic
difference in worm burden at
360 days of age.
For more information contact KIDPLAN:
Ph: (02) 6773 2948
info@sheepgenetics.org.au
www.sheepgenetics.org.au
Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ABN 39 081 678 364
Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, MLA cannot accept responsibility
for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in the publication. You should make your own
enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. You may also contact MLA on 1800 023 100. MLA accepts no
liability for any losses incurred if you rely solely on this publication.
Reproduction in whole or part of this publication is prohibited without prior consent and acknowledgement of Meat & Livestock
Australia. Meat & Livestock Australia acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the
research and development detailed in this publication.
© Meat & Livestock Australia
(2014)
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Hom e > Ge t t ing-st art e d > She e p Ge ne tics - ASBVs and Inde x e s
ASBVS and Indexes explained
W hat are ASBVs
W hat are Indexes
W hat are A SB V s
ASBVs (and Indexes) are the units of measurement LAMBPLAN, MERINOSELECT and KIDPLAN use to analyse
animals.
Australian Sheep Breeding Values are an estimate of an animal’s true breeding value based on pedigree and
performance recorded information.
They are essentially a projection of how that animals progeny will perform for a range of traits.
The diagram illustrates how to interpret an ASBV.
ASBV types
Birth Weight
ASBV is based on measured birth weight of lambs adjusted for age of dam. Where birth weights are not
available it is estimated as a correlated trait from weight measurements taken as the lamb matures. The
lower the ASBV the lighter is the estimated progeny birth weight potential.
Weight
ASBVs describe the animals’ genetic merit for growth rate. A positive ASBV means the animal is
genetically faster growing. Weight ASBVs are available for weaning (100 days), post-weaning (200
days), and yearling, hogget and adult ages.
Fat Depth
ASBVs describe the value of an animal’s genes for fat depth at a constant weight – a negative ASBV
means a genetically leaner animal.
Eye Muscle Depth
ASBVs describe the value of animals’ genes for eye muscle depth at a constant weight – a positive ASBV
means a genetically thicker-muscled animal, and one that will have slightly more of its lean tissue in the
higher-priced cuts.
Wool Weight
ASBVs describe the value of animals’ genes for wool weight – a positive ASBV means a genetically
heavier-cutting animal.
Fibre Diameter
ASBVs describe the value of an animals’ genes for finer or coarser wool – a negative ASBV means a
genetically finer animal. In addition fibre quality measurements such as staple length, staple strength,
CV and curvature can be converted into ASBVs
Reproductive ASBVs describe the value of animals’ genes for lambing and/or marking rate.
Worm Egg Count (WEC)
ASBVs describe the value of animals’ genes for carrying worm burdens – a combination of being
genetically less likely to pick up worms and being better at getting rid of them.
W hat are I ndexes
Selecting animals involves balancing several key traits.
Related Information
LAMBPLAN - Terminal Indexes
LAMBPLAN - Maternal Indexes
MERINOSELECT Indexes
To make selection easier traits can be combined into a selection index.
A selection index combines ASBVs for several traits to give a single value.
This reflects the performance of the sheep relative to the breeding objective of the particular index.
Index types include:
$ Value Indexes: A dollar index indicates the value of an animal based on its suitability for a particular market. The
value is given in real dollar figures and expressed as $/ewe joined/yr. For example a dollar index of 105 indicates
that a ram will produce $5 extra value for every ewe joined compared to a ram with an $ index of 100.
Therefore over four years, if a ram produces 200 progeny, the extra value produced by that ram will be $5 x 200 =
$1,000.
Desired Gains Indexes: Work on a proportional gain of a combination of traits. For example the Carcase Plus index
puts 60% emphasis on increasing growth, 20% on decreasing fat and 20% on increased eye muscle depth.
The diagram shows how to interpret a selection index.
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