1. Have we seen any progress in breeds selecting for temperament?
2010 NBCEC Brown Bagger
October 27, 2010
Sherry Doubet
American Salers Association

2. Breeds with Docility EPDs
American Salers Association
North American Limousin Foundation
American Angus Association
Australia
Limousin
Angus

3. Scoring Systems Salers Limousin and Angus
Developed a 1-5 scoring system prior to BIF
Limousin and Angus
Use the 1-6 BIF scoring system
Australian Limousin and Angus
Use a 1-5 scoring system
1 is calm, 5&6 are aggressive & wild

4. Data Collection
Salers, Limousin, Aust. Limousin and Aust. Angus allow weaning and yearling measurements
Angus are using yearling measurements

5. Number of Records Collected
Salers – 163,066
Limousin – 210,167
Angus – 94,357
Australian Limousin – 48,276
Australian Angus – 22,055

6. Heritability of Docility
Salers data
Limousin data – 0.40
Angus data – 0.37

7. Have we seen any progress on breeds selecting for temperament?
(or against poor docility)

8. Genetic Trend - Salers

9. Genetic Trend - Limousin

10. Genetic Trend - Angus Relatively flat
Australian Angus – in research phase, none reported

11. Genetic Trend – Aust. Limousin

12. Have we seen any progress on breeds selecting for temperament?
(or against poor docility)

13. Progress
As with most any trait that is heritable and can be measured, we can make progress in selecting for or against it.

14. Progress Definitely the case with Docility!
Easy trait to see
Easy trait to cull on
Easy to report data
Breeders have done a great job improving upon the trait.

15. Ask Justin – You can use EPDs to make Improvement in Docility!