The Influence of Genetic Information in the Selection and Valuation of Angus Bulls: 2. Key Informant Analysis

Genetic information for beef cattle in Australia has been provided through BREEDPLAN since 1972. The BREEDPLAN model estimates the genetic potential of livestock using Estimated Breeding Values. There is substantial evidence proving the accuracy of Estimated Breeding Values, yet there is a substantial variation in the breeding programs of individual seedstock producers and ongoing industry-wide debate between phenotypic and genotypic approaches to assessing an animal's breeding value. The Angus breed is the most widely used in commercial beef breeding programs in Australia. In a companion paper, data for 49 bull sales during 2019 from 42 different Angus studs (a total of 3,070 bulls) were taken from publicly available web sites and subjected to statistical analysis. Indexes of breeding values were found to be highly significant variables in explaining the prices paid for Angus bulls, but there was still a majority of the variation that was unexplained by either measured genetic or phenotypic variables. The purpose of this follow-up analysis was to interview some of the bull breeders and bull buyers involved in these sales and attempt to ascertain what other factors were thought to be in play when a bull is selected for purchase and valued in the market.