ABS Genetic Manager User’s Guide
INSTALLATION
1) Insert the diskette labeled Setup Diskette #1 into your computer’s floppy disk drive.
For Windows 95 Users
2) Click on Start, then Run.
For Windows 3.1 Users
2) While viewing program manager, click on File, then Run.
Windows 3.1 Dialog
Windows 95 Dialog
1) In the dialog box that appears, type A:SETUP and click on OK.
The Setup window will appear.
2) Click on the Next button to continue installation.
3) Continue with setup by inserting the correct disk when prompted.
Note* If you re-install Genetic Manager, you will receive the following error. This in not a critical error and will not affect
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program performance.
4) After all disks are read, the following dialog will appear. Check in the appropriate check box to run the program
immediately after installation is complete.
After a successful installation, a new program folder will be created for you. You are ready to begin using ABS
Genetic Manager.
5) To learn how to begin using Genetic Manager, double-click on the ABS Genetic Manager User’s Guide Icon.
6) To use Genetic Manager immediately, double-click on the ABS Genetic Manager icon.
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The ABS Genetic Manager is a computerized mating program designed to allow breeders to quickly and
easily make comprehensive mating decisions using all available information and your specific breeding
objectives.
In addition to user’s individual mating targets and criteria, the program utilizes Sire and Dam EPDs, ABS’
Genetic Type Summary (GTS) data and pedigree information in the mating process.
Breeders can control the mating process and tailor Genetic Manager to their individual program
in three ways.
Mating Targets
Design Progeny Targets
Bull Selection
Import/Add Bulls
Sort/Filter Bulls
Lookup Bull Data
Print Bull Lists
Cow Selection
Import/Add Cows
Sort/Filter Cows
Evaluate Cow Data
Establish Mating Criteria
Print Cow Lists
Process Matings
Program Flow
View Mating Profiles
Finalize Mating Decisions
Print Mating Profiles
Print Breeding Lists

MATING TARGETS
This module allows you to establish targets or parameters that matings (or
progeny) must fit within. When applied to individual cows, sires that produce
matings that miss the targets are not recommended.

BULL SELECTION
In addition to serving as an electronic sire directory, the Bull Selection module
functions much like the Angus Sire Sort program, allowing you to determine
which bulls are eligible for the mating process.

COW SELECTION
In the Cow Selection module, you can identify specific mating criteria for each
female in addition to applying various mating targets. The end result after the
matings have been processed is individual sire recommendations for each cow
based on her strengths and weaknesses and your overall objectives.
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A BASIC EXAMPLE
For this basic example we will use a predesigned MATING TARGET and BULL SET allowing us to move
straight to the COW SELECTION MODULE.
Choose Cow Selection from the main program menu.
This will take you to the Cow Selection/Mating Module Screen.
From the File menu choose Open Cow Set
For this exercise we will be working with one of the preloaded cow files.
Select the testcows.db database from the available files.
This database includes a generic RAINMAKER, MAX and EXT daughter.
From the Edit menu choose Edit Cow or click on the View/Edit Cow button.
This will take you to the individual cow screen for the first cow. This screen displays the background
information for each cow including pedigree and EPDs. The easiest way to access any female is to simply
double click anywhere on her data line in the Cow Selection/ Mating Module Screen.
In standard operating mode, EPD values that would rank in the top 25% of active sires are displayed in
green while EPD values that would rank in the bottom 25% of active sires are displayed in red. This
feature can be turned off through the Options menu.
The Mating Criteria section of this screen is where you design the specific mating criteria for each cow
based on what you know about the cows individual strengths and weaknesses, both from an EPD and
phenotype standpoint.
With the Auto Trait (High to Low) Weighting button selected, building a selection index is as easy as
pointing to the box behind the desired trait and clicking your left mouse button. In this mode the program
assigns predetermined weights for the traits based on the order in which you choose them. Just
remember to select the traits in relative order of importance with the most important trait first.
Automatic weightings are as follows:
1 trait
2 traits
3 traits
4 traits
5 traits
100%
60%
50%
40%
30%
40%
30%
30%
25%
20%
20%
20%
10%
15%
10%
Which traits you select is totally up to you and will be determined by your knowledge of your cows. The
color coding of the EPDs can give you suggestions for traits that may need improvement. This
highlighting feature can also be turned off through the Options menu.
Lets start with the RAINMAKER daughter and for this example emphasize the following traits. With the
Auto Trait (High to Low) Weighting button selected, click on the following traits in order.
Increase Yearling Weight
Increase Scrotal Circumference
Increase Capacity
Increase Rib Eye Area
and Reduce Birth Weight
As the final step for this cow, we can select a mating target. Since this is a RAINMAKER daughter let’s
assume that our goal is to produce calving ease bulls. In the Mating Target drop down box select
Calving Ease. Bulls that produce matings that miss this target will be excluded from consideration.
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Click the Save button and move to the next cow by clicking the Next button.
Auto Trait Weighting (Equal) is a new option that allows you to automatically put equal weighting on up
to five traits by simply clicking on the individual traits.
For the MAX daughter try the Manual Weighting option by checking Manual Trait Weighting in the
weighting box. In manual mode you can assign the exact weighting that you want for each trait up to a
total of 100% and a total of five traits. In the manual mode you must first click on the desired trait, then
type in the weighting that you choose for each trait. For this example use the following traits and
weightings.
Increase Milk
30%
Reduce Birth Weight
30%
Decrease Stature
20%
Improve Udder Composite
10%
and Increase Marbling
10%
In this case leave the Mating Target undefined by leaving it blank or choosing None.
Click Save and Next to move to the next cow.
Design you own mating criteria for this EXT daughter. You may select up to five traits.
Click Save and Close to return to the main Cow Selection/Mating Module screen.
By selecting the Mating Criteria button at the bottom of the screen, you can review the mating criteria and
mating targets for all three cows.
The last step before processing the matings is to choose which Bull Set the cows will be mated to.
For this example we will use the ABS Active bull set which is one of the predefined bull sets and includes
all active ABS sires.
From the File menu choose Select Bull Set.
Select the absactiv.db database from the available files.
After choosing the bull set, start the mating process by clicking the Process Matings button or
choosing Actions then Mate All Cows.
The program will calculate a mating index for each cow against every eligible bull based on your mating
criteria. The top five choices will be displayed in a table format.
To view the detailed mating recommendations and finalize your mating list, double click on any bull
name in the table.
Double click on the first recommendation for the RAINMAKER daughter to take you to the Mating Profile
Screen for the RAINMAKER cow.
The Mating Profile Screen is the key screen in the Genetic Manager program. It provides you with
comprehensive information about recommended and other possible matings and allows you to determine
the final mating list.
The top 5 recommendations for each cow and their relative index value are listed in the top left-hand
corner.
Three generation pedigrees and unofficial Parent Average EPDs are provided for the first recommended
mating along with pedigree estimate GTS values in graphic format.
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To view the mating profile for the other recommended sires, click on their name under Mating Sire
Choices.
To view mating profiles for sires that do not appear in the Mating Sire Choices, type their name in the
Optional box and click the Show button.
You determine the final mating list by moving bulls up and down in the Mating Sire Choices using the Up
and Down buttons.
You can also move bulls that are displayed in the Optional box by clicking on the bull that you want to
replace in the Mating Sire Choices and clicking on Replace.
After finalizing your mating list check the Mating Approved box as a bookmark.
Click on Next to move to the next cow.
After approving the final cow, you are ready to print a Mating Summary Report.
Click on the Print button and choose Print Mating Summary Report.
At this point you can also print individual mating profiles.
ADDING YOUR COWS TO THE PROGRAM
EPD and pedigree information for your cow herd can be added to the program in several ways.
ENTERING DATA MANUALLY
New cows can be manually entered into any open cow set by selecting New Cow from the Edit menu of
the Cow Selection/Mating Module.
IMPORTING DATA ON DISKETTE FROM THE AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION
You can request your cow herd data on diskette from the American Angus Association. Just call the AHIR
department and ask for your cow herd information in the “ABS Genetic Manager format”.
You will need your member code number. The current charge for this service is $25.
To import this data go to the Cow Selection module
Choose File and New Cow Set.
Choose Actions and Import Cows.
The Import Cows screen will confirm the number of cows that have been imported. Click Close.
You can now sort, filter or edit your cows.
When you are satisfied with your cow set, select File then Close Cow Set or Exit. Or use the Close
button. You will be asked to save and name your cow set.
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IMPORTING COW DATA FROM ANGUS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (AIMS)
PROGRAM
If you are already using the Angus Association’s AIMS program, you can export pens or files from AIMS
into Genetic Manager. You must have the Crystal Reports program that comes with AIMS loaded for this
file transfer to work.
STEP ONE
In File Manager or Windows Explorer locate the file named Genmgr.rpt in the C:\Absgnmgr directory.
This is a report template that will allow you to export data from AIMS to Genetic Manager.
Copy the file named Genmgr.rpt into the C:\Aims20\AnimalReports\Custom directory. Once this file has
been transferred, you will be able to skip step one in the future.
Exit File Manager or Windows Explorer
STEP TWO
Start your AIMS program.
Open the pen that you want to export to the Genetic Manager program.
From the Reports menu, select Custom Reports. Then double click on Genmgr.rpt.
This will generate a custom AIMS report on the screen. (The report is used to transfer data and is not
legible on the screen)
To export the data, click on the “envelope” button at the top of the screen.
At the next screen choose Comma-separated values (CSV) under the format option and Disk
file under the destination option. Then click OK.
Click OK at the next screen
At the Choose Export File dialog box, give the file a name and choose where you would like to send this
file. Either a disk in A or any directory in C, just remember where so that you can locate it for import into
Genetic Manager later.
At this point you can exit the AIMS program.
STEP THREE
From the Cow Selection module in the Genetic Manager program choose File and New Cow Set.
Choose Actions and Import Cows.
At this point select the file name and location (drive and folder) that you exported your AIMS report to.
The Import Cows screen will confirm the number of cows that have been imported. Click Close.
You can now sort, filter or edit your cows.
When you are satisfied with your cow set, select File then Close Cow Set or Exit. Or use the Close
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button. You will be asked to save and name your cow set.
To move other files, you will have to repeat steps two and three.
USING TYPICAL COW FILES TO REPRESENT COMMERCIAL FEMALES
If you have commercial or unregistered cows with no EPDs you can utilize cows from the typical cow files
to build approximate representatives of your herd.
The Genetic Manager program comes loaded with two typical cow files. The first named typical.db,
includes profiles of typical daughters of popular current and former ABS sires. The second named
other.db includes profiles of typical daughters of popular non-ABS sires.
These typical cow profiles have been derived by calculating pedigree estimate EPDs for the mating of
given sires to breed average cows.
Copy and edit these cows to build a cow set that represents your commercial herd.
MATING TARGETS
Mating targets are a set of minimum and/or maximum values that all resulting matings must fit within.
They provide a safety net allowing you to be more open in your sire selection criteria while avoiding calves
that don’t meet your objectives. Sires that don’t produce matings that fit within the target or window are
excluded from the mating process on an individual cow basis.
Different targets may be established and applied to individual females. For example a Calving Ease target
for heifers and a Growth and Maternal or Carcass target for mature cows.
A typical Calving Ease target might include the following values....
BW EPD < +3.0, WW EPD > +25, YW EPD > +45, Milk EPD > +10 and < +20, Marb. EPD > +.00
Stature > -1.0 and < +1.0, Capacity > +0.0, Muscle > +0.0
(Remember Mating Targets are not Sire Selection criteria. They define the outer ranges or safety net for
your matings. They will likely be used in conjunction with your sire selection criteria so be careful not to
make them too restrictive.)
ESTABLISHING MATING TARGETS
Select Mating Targets from the main program menu.
Choose the New Target button.
Enter a short name and description for your target.
Enter the minimum and/or maximum values that you want to apply to this specific target.
When you have finished choose the Close button.
You will then be asked if you want to Save changes to Target?
Choose Yes
Repeat the process to establish other targets.
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BULL SELECTION
The bull selection module allows you to control the mating process by determining which bulls will be
competing in the mating process. It functions very much like the Angus Sire Evaluation Sort program. In
addition to their EPDs, bulls can be sorted or filtered by any piece of data including individual
performance, pedigree and semen price. Any resulting bull lists can be saved as BULL SETS for future
use.
The Genetic Manager comes preloaded with all ABS active bulls and several preselected BULL SETS
including:
ABS Active
Calving Ease
Curvebender
Maternal
Growth
Carcass
absactiv.db
e_zcalve.db
curvbndr.db
maternal.db
growth.db
carcass.db
Includes all active ABS sires
(< or = to +2.5 BW EPD)
(< or = to +3.0 BW) and (> or = to +75 YW)
(> or = to +10 Milk) and (> or = to +.00 SC)
(> or = to +40 WW) and (> or = to +75 YW)
(> or = to +.00 %IMF)
You can add your own additional bulls to these lists or use the sort and filter functions to build custom
BULL SETS.
IMPORTING ADDITIONAL BULLS FROM AIMS (New Feature)
It’s now possible to import additional bulls into Genetic Manager from the Angus Information Software
program. After establishing your pen of bulls in AIMS, follow the directions outlined for importing cows
above.
BUILDING CUSTOM BULL SETS
Select Bull Selection from the main program menu.
Choose New Bull Set from the File menu.
An empty bull database will appear.
From the Actions menu select Copy Bulls.
Click on the Choose Source Set button.
You can now select any of the established bull sets as the source for your custom bull set.
At this point you can use the Filter button to filter and eliminate bulls from your bull set or choose the OK
button to load these bulls into your new bull set or database.
Once the bulls have been loaded into the database you can use the Actions menu to Copy Bulls from
other bull sets or Filter, Sort or Locate Bulls.
Through the Edit menu, you can also:
add new bulls - New Bull
This can be used to enter pedigree and EPD information on herd bulls or other A.I.
sires.
delete bulls - Cut Bull
This feature allows you to start with large BULL SETS and customize them by quickly
deleting individual bulls.
and edit bull information - Edit Bull.
When you are satisfied with your custom bull set, choose File then Exit
You will then be asked if you want to Save New Bull Set?
Choose Yes
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Give your bull set a name of 8 characters or less.
*** See the on-line help system for more information about using the BULL SELECTION MODULE and
printing bull sets.
WHAT IF
FEW OR NO BULLS ARE RECOMMENDED
RE-EXAMINE YOUR MATING TARGETS
If you are using one or more MATING TARGETS, re-examine them. They are likely too restrictive.
Remember that MATING TARGETS define the outer boundary or limits for potential matings. In some
cases “you can’t get there from here” if your target or destination is too difficult.
While you may think that your individual criteria are not very restrictive, together they may eliminate all
potential sires. Remember that in the Fall 1997 Angus Sire Summary, only 9 bulls are above average in
all traits.
EXPAND YOUR BULL SET
You may need to start with more bulls to meet all of your mating objectives.
YOU ONLY WANT TO USE A SMALL NUMBER OF BULLS IN YOUR BREEDING PROGRAM
If you use a Bull Set with a large number of bulls in the mating process, Genetic Manager may
recommend numerous different bulls as possible mating sires. You can limit your final number of mating
sires and still ensure that you are making the best matings possible in a couple of ways.
REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE INITIAL BULL SET USED
You may want to limit the bulls up front to a certain number of bulls that fit your preferences. In this
manner, the Genetic Manager is helping you to utilize your preferred bulls in the best way possible but it is
not helping you to find other bulls that meet your objectives.
PROCESS MATINGS TWICE
Run the program “wide open” the first time. Utilize the biggest bull set possible in your first mating
calculations to identify all bulls that meet your objectives. (10-20 different bulls may be recommended)
Analyze the mating recommendations and determine which bulls are recommended the most and best fit
your preferences. Then build a new BULL SET that includes only those bulls. (You can limit this group of
bulls to 4 or 5 or however many you choose.)
Re-mate your cows using the new BULL SET. This is as simple as choosing another bull set under
Select Bull Set from the File menu of the Cow Selection/Mating Module and then clicking the Process
Matings button. This will ensure that you are utilizing a smaller number of bulls but in the most effective
way possible.
UPDATING YOUR PROGRAM
You will want to update your Genetic Manager program before each new breeding season with new
genetic parameters and bull data from ABS and new cow data from the American Angus Association.
Updated bull information and new typical cow files will be available from ABS after each sire summary.
Updated genetic parameters needed to run the program will also be included. To receive these updates
on diskette call 1-800-ABS-STUD. Look for an announcement soon about accessing bull updates from
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the ABS Global website.
Updated cow EPDs can be obtained from the American Angus Association or imported from the AHMS
Program. See the ADDING YOUR COWS TO THE PROGRAM section of this manual for more
information.
HOW MATING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DETERMINED
Mating recommendations are determined based on your mating criteria for each cow.
A mating profile is calculated including unofficial parent average EPDs and GTS pedigree estimates for
each cow and every eligible sire. Unofficial parent average EPDs are simply the average EPDs of the sire
and the dam while GTS pedigree estimates are the weighted average of the Sire, Maternal Grand Sire
and Great Grand Sire of each mating. (The GTS pedigree estimates are backed by data on over 900 of
the most popular bulls in the Angus breed including ABS and non-ABS bulls.)
The sire of any mating that does not meet the selected MATING TARGET for a given cow is eliminated
from consideration. In addition, the sire of each cow and any paternal brothers to a given cow are also
eliminated from consideration.
A mating index is then calculated for each cow and every remaining eligible sire based on the
standardized values of the mating profiles and the mating criteria trait weightings that you selected for
each cow.
The five highest indexing bulls are then listed for each cow on the Mate Results screen that appears after
the mating process is completed. In addition, the top 5 bulls and their index values are listed in the upper
left hand corner of the MATING PROFILE screen for each cow.
Mating indexes cannot be compared from one cow to another because each cow has her own mating
criteria and therefore a different index calculation.
Seventy five percent of the final mating index calculation is based on your mating criteria while
twenty five percent is based on a balanced trait customer survey weighting. This underlying index
provides a safety net to avoid bulls that may be extremely weak in traits beyond the maximum of
five that you have chosen in your mating criteria.
The weightings for the underlying index are as follows:
reduced BW EPD
increased WW EPD
increased YW EPD
increased Milk EPD
increased %IMF EPD
increased REA EPD
increased %RP EPD
increased SC EPD
15%
10%
15%
10%
10%
4%
3%
5%
moderate stature STA
increased capacity STA
increased muscle STA
ideal rear leg STA
udder composite STA
5%
6%
5%
5%
7%
HOW TO GET HELP
USER’S GUIDE
This User’s Guide provides installation instructions and basic information about the program as well as a
walk through example of mating a small group of cows.
ON-LINE HELP
The on-line help system provides detailed information about the program and its features.
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TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
For installation or software technical support issues contact Profit$ource Software:
Voice
Fax
(715) 536-7159
(715) 536-2696
Email
Internet
profits@pcpros.net
http://ariel.pcpros.net/profitsource/
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