12/30/08 Calm cattle II

Yesterday, I talked about the economic value of calm temperament cattle. I'm Jeff Keane; today I'll tell you about some new ways to select for these cattle types. But first, please listen to this message. As cattle producers put more emphasis on calmer cattle some of the breed associations have started looking at this trait more closely. The American Angus Association has actually developed a docility EPD score. EPD refers to estimated progeny difference between different sires of a breed when rating hereditable traits such as daily weight gain, carcass characteristics or maternal qualities. To develop a docility EPD Angus breeders have been evaluating and submitting yearling cattle temperament scores. Over 39,000 yearlings were rated on a score of one to six with one being the most calm. The cattle were assessed as they were processed in working chutes while being given needed vaccinations. A score of one was given an animal considered docile, which meant the animal was gentle, handled easy, was undisturbed, and existed the chute calmly. Codes moved up from docile to restless, nervous, flighty, aggressive and lastly very aggressive cattle were given a six score. Aggressive and very aggressive cattle existed the chute frantically and exhibited attack behavior when confined in small areas. I just wonder if someone drew a short straw to be the lucky one to slip into that pen to see if a particular animal was going to exhibit attack behavior. I hope they were young, quick, agile and a good fence scaler. I'm Jeff Keane.