Simple method to incorporate univariate Interbeef evaluations for weaning weight into national multi-variate models

Abstract

Interbeef evaluations for weaning weight ( WWT)  is based on a single trait model while the UK  fits  a multi-trait model  with 9 other traits.  The lack of correlated traits in Interbeef evaluations for WWT implies these could be  less accurate.  The paper presents a mixed method approach to incorporate contributions from the correlated traits into Interbeef evaluations without double counting.  An approach to incorporate the correlated information for foreign animals and  that accumulates increases in accuracy in WWT resulting from Interbeef evaluation  and that  from correlated traits  at the national level is also presented.