Performance test

 

At the Danish Bull Test Station Aalestrup 7-10 Highland bull are tested every year. The bulls are tested in the age interval 238 days (8 months) to 292 days (13 months). They are fed a complete ad-lib diet, weighed every 28 days, and their feed consumption is recorded throughout the period. At the age of 10, 11 and 12 months the area of the L.D. is measured by means of ultrasound.

 

Daily gain in the test period is calculated as:

 

1000 x Bodyweight gained in test period (kg) / Days in test (154)

 

Feed conversion efficiency is calculated as:

 

100 x 98 x (1,5 + V/200) + 5 Bodyweight gained in test period / SFU consumed

 

where

V = Average weight in test period

SFU = Scandinavian feed units

 

The T-index, U-index and the index for feed conversion efficiency (FEF-index) are calculated by means of a BLUP single trait Animal Model.

 

The dependent variables of the models are:

• Weight at 8 months
• Body gain in test period
• Feed conversion efficiency
• Measurements of M. longissimus dorsi

The fixed effects regarding weight at 8 months of age, body gain in test period and feed conversion efficiency are:

• Birth year x birth season
• Breed
• Day of measurement (only ultrasound measurements)
• Weight (only ultrasound measurements)

The random effects are:

• Animal
• Residual

   

See on going test results at http://gbi.agrsci.dk/~chm/idv/idvkod_frame.htm (Unfortunately in Danish only)

This year there are 10 bulls imported from Scotland and 5 bulls born in Denmark at the test station.