DEERSelect

DEERselect is a system of evaluating the genetic worth of a stag that allows breeders and finishers to select for desirable traits in their deer herds.

DEERSelect at a glance: How does it work?
1. Breeders provide herd pedigree and performance data to DEERSelect via a DEERSelect bureau for inclusion in the DEERSelect database.
2. DEERSelect analyses this information, providing data back to breeders and assembles the ‘DEERSelect Summary Tables’; lists of key genetic information on the national deer herd.
3. Breeding stags are listed in DEERSelect tables along with their traits of interest and the accuracy estimate of those traits. The tables are updated regularly.
4. Buyers can identify which traits are of most importance and select stags with the best combination of breeding values, at desired levels of accuracy for those traits.
5. The very best of the stags identified nationally can be used to breed sons and daughters for natural service on commercial deer farms, and to improve the ‘top tier’ breeding herd further.
6. The next cut of stags will be used as natural service sires to transfer genetic improvement into hind herds on commercial properties.

DEERSelect sire summary tables
The key to DEERSelect are the sire summary tables which list breeding values for particular stags. Go here for the latest DeerSelect sire summaries.
These tables allow the genetic performance of progeny tested sires to be compared after differences in environment have been removed. The values are updated regularly.

Listed traits (as of October 2010):
• Weaning weight (WWT) breeding values
• Yearling weight (W12) breeding values
• Mature (adult) weight (MWT) breeding values
• Mature velvet weight (MVWT) breeding values
• Conception date (CD) breeding values (NEW)
• Economic Indexes (NEW); Terminal sire and Replacement (early and late kill) systems

• Index’s show the relative $ per hind mated achieved if using a particular stag
• Mature weight – Choosing Genghis over Wellesly would be a good choice if you want to keep mature weight down.
• Conception Date – Alfred carries genes with potential for his daughters to calve 2 days earlier than daughters of stags with a zero BV.
• Choosing Tasman over Churchill is recommended if you are breeding replacement hinds in a herd achieving an early kill profile.
• The accuracy figure shows data for Caesar is more reliable than Napoleon’s because he has sired more progeny. But if you want to increase 12-month weight you should still use Napoleon in preference to Caesar as he has a higher Yearling weight BV.