New EBVs for Angus NZ
Angus NZ is progressing the development of new Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) – Body Condition Score (BCS), Hip Height (HH) and Structural Soundness (SS).
Dan Garrick and the Helical team are currently assessing the Research Breeding Values (RBVs) for both BCS and HH. RBVs are published to assess data accuracy from multiple sources and gather feedback; they serve as an important preliminary step ahead of the release of the routinely-analysed EBVs. It was anticipated that BCS and HH would be available by the end of February 2026, with SS to follow.
Body Condition Score (BCS) has a direct impact on profitability through its effects on reproduction and efficiency. Cows with moderate BCS (5-7 on a 10-point scale) at calving typically show optimal reproductive performance. Thin cows (BCS <4) have longer postpartum intervals, lower conception rates and reduced weaning weights due to poor milk production. They’re also more susceptible to health problems and metabolic stress. Overly fat cows (BCS >7) face calving difficulties and can have reduced feed efficiency. The economic sweet spot is maintaining cows in moderate condition – thin enough to be feed-efficient but adequate enough for consistent reproduction and calf performance.
Hip Height (HH) serves as a proxy for mature cow size, which has significant economic implications. Larger-framed cows require more feed for maintenance, which directly impacts the cost of production. On harder hill country, moderate-framed cows often optimise the balance between weaning weight and cow maintenance costs. Extremely large cows may wean heavier calves but consume disproportionately more feed, reducing overall herd profitability. Frame size also affects longevity indirectly – oversized cows in nutritionally limited environments tend to lose body condition more readily and may leave the herd earlier.
Structural Soundness affects calving ease, rebreeding and cow longevity, all of which also have economic implications.
Bulls for sale with EBVS for BCS, HH and SS will be available from registered Angus breeders in the future. Understanding the genetic makeup of the bulls for these traits will help farmers select the bulls that best fit their breeding programme and allow them to choose bulls fitting their breeding strategy for efficient, sound and optimally sized cows.
