Breeding decision support
Use available Igenity, ultrasound, and pedigree information to evaluate proposed matings. Each analytical tool addresses a different breeding objective and should be used alongside pedigree knowledge, structural evaluation, and breeder judgment.
Analysis method
The breeding analysis combines genomic Igenity scores with raw ultrasound measurements. Because the two sources use different scales and reference groups, the application conditions each source before calculating proposed-mating estimates.
Ultrasound records are raw physical measurements, including intramuscular fat percentage, ribeye area, average daily gain, and backfat. These traits are reported in different units and cannot be averaged directly.
Igenity results are genomic scores reported by Neogen on a 1-to-10 scale. Those scores are already indexed against Neogen’s broad cattle reference population.
This analysis is intended to compare the mostly Highland animals available in this database. The Igenity scores are therefore re-centered against the Igenity-tested animals in this database, while ultrasound measurements are normalized within their appropriate measurement classes.
This does not make the two sources scientifically identical. It expresses each animal’s relative position within its comparison group on one common scale so the information can be considered together.
For each trait, the animal’s Neogen score is compared with all Igenity-tested animals currently in the database.
z = (animal’s Igenity score − database average) ÷ database standard deviation
The original Neogen score remains unchanged in the animal’s record. The calculation creates a separate Within-Database Comparative Index that answers: how does this animal compare with the other tested animals available here?
The animal’s latest ultrasound record is compared with animals in the same measurement class. This helps account for differences in age and testing group while preserving the meaning of the raw measurement.
z = (animal’s measurement − class average) ÷ class standard deviation
For backfat, the direction is reversed so that lower backfat receives the more favorable comparative score.
Comparative index = 100 + (10 × z)
An index of 100 is average for that comparison group. An index of 110 is one standard deviation above average, and 90 is one standard deviation below average.
The index shows relative position; 110 does not mean the animal is 10 percent better than an animal indexed at 100.
For each selected trait, the analysis calculates the midpoint between the dam’s and sire’s normalized positions.
Proposed-mating estimate = (dam z-score + sire z-score) ÷ 2
For example, a dam indexed at 110 and a sire indexed at 120 produce a comparative midpoint of 115 for that trait. When a sire has both Igenity and ultrasound information for the same trait, the sire’s two normalized positions are averaged first.
Each selected trait receives equal weight. The trait estimates are averaged to produce the overall pairing index used to rank the eligible sire matches.
The result is a relative comparison among the proposed matings that have complete data for the traits selected by the user.
Because this is a within-database comparison, an animal’s comparative index may change slightly when additional tested animals are added. Its original Igenity score or raw ultrasound measurement does not change—only its position within the comparison population may change.
The results identify relative strengths among the available pairings using the information currently in the database. They help show which sires may complement the selected female for the traits included in the analysis.
This is a decision-support estimate—not an EPD, genomic breeding value, or guarantee of how an individual calf will perform. Results are influenced by which animals have been tested and entered into the database. The analysis does not yet account for heritability differences, pedigree relationships, inbreeding, dominance, calving ease, structural soundness, maternal traits, environment, management, or breeder judgment.
Rank sire matches for a selected female using marbling, ribeye area, average daily gain, and backfat or yield.
Open analysis ↓Compare matings intended to improve maternal performance, including calving, fertility, milk, stayability, and mature cow traits.
Estimate inbreeding, identify repeated ancestors, and flag close pedigree relationships before a mating is considered.
Available analysis
Select a female and one to four traits. The analysis ranks the five strongest eligible sire matches using the available Igenity and ultrasound records.
Each selected trait receives equal weight. Igenity traits are standardized across the current Igenity population. Ultrasound traits are standardized against bulls in the same age class using each bull’s latest measurement. Lower backfat is scored favorably.
AHCA lists include animals with an AHCA registration number. An index of 100 is average for its comparison population; 110 is one standard deviation above average. This analysis does not yet account for pedigree relationships, calving ease, structural soundness, semen availability, maternal traits, or breeder judgment.