@conference {40875,
	title = {An Index to assist multiple trait selection of terminal beef sires in the UK},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {57},
	year = {1997},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {15-18},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {A selection index with the objective of achieving economic improvements in saleable meat yield, calving ease and feed intake has been used in the UK beef industry since the mid 1980{\textquoteleft}s. In this paper, an improved index, which incorporates estimated breeding values for traits currently recorded in UK pedigree beef cattle, is described. The recorded traits are taken as birth weight, calving ease, gestation length, 400 day weight, ultrasonic fat and muscle depths, and muscling care. The breeding objective is made up of commercial carcass traits, calving ease and gestation length and is directed exclusively towards terminal sire buyers. When all available traits have been recorded in pedigree beef cattle herds, calving traits (birth weight, gestation length and calving ease) explain approximately 30\% of the variability in index scores, with the remainder explained by the growth and carcass traits. The expected economic superiority of progeny from the top 40\% of bulls ranked on the index, over the average bull, is {\textsterling}2.48 for carcass weight, {\textsterling}.79 for carcass conformation score, {\textsterling}-.05 for carcass fat score, {\textsterling}.37 for gestation length and {\textsterling}.24 for calving case. The overall economic superiority of progeny from the top 40\% of bulls ({\textsterling}3.82 is reduced by 17\% if both ease and gestation length are not recorded and by 10\% if ultrasonic scanning traits are not recorded. Two component indices (for calving and production trait groups respectively) are also proposed to allow commercial bull and semen buyers to adjust emphasis on the two groups of traits depending on their individual production circumstances. In conclusion, the new index incorporates new selection criteria, and a more rigorously defined and transparent breeding objective which should maximise future benefits from performance recording and Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) genetic evaluations in UK beef cattle. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Amer P and Simm G}
}
@conference {40248,
	title = {Genetic parameters for in vivo body measurements in Suffolk sheep},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {50},
	year = {1990},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {403-406},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Attention is drawn to developments in the public perception of   animal farming which have the potential to adversely affect the animal   industry in the future. These developments, which are occurring around   the world, stem from review of ethical aspects of animal farming and   from concern at the ecological impact of animal farming. Of particular   concern is the emission of greenhouse gases - especially methane - by   ruminants. This paper discusses measures by which these emissions could   be reduced, and how national policy decisions regarding greenhouse gas   emissions on farms may be reached. Opportunities for this Society are   pointed out.    },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Young MJ and Simm G}
}
