International Genetic Solutions (IGS) will soon change how docility is scored in their genetic evaluation.
Modifications were made to enable the acceptance of docility records collected on a date different from when a weight phenotype was recorded. Consequently, the definition of the docility contemporary group has been adjusted to accommodate the inclusion of these records. Where the previous multi-trait evaluation model used an animal’s weaning weight contemporary group based on breeder, herd, weaning management group, weaning pasture code, weaning weight group, weaning sex and weaning weight date, the new method includes the docility score date as an additional factor within the weaning weight contemporary group.
While contemporary grouping information for animals with previous records included in the evaluation will remain unchanged, the 6% increase in records added will be for those animals with mismatched dates or those with only yearling docility records. One noticeable effect will be adjustments in the sire reranking for docility, but most animals will not see any meaningful shift in their EPD.
If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact the American Simmental Association.
