Angus Australia’s Jake Phillips giving a demonstration on bull selection at last week’s Armidale Feeder Steer School.

Key points 

• Temperament ranked No.1 as a trait of importance by beef producers
• Docility is moderately heritable and can be selected for to make improvements without compromise on other key production traits.
• Docility can impact many parts of beef production from paddock to plate
• Angus breeders continue to make progress in improving the docility EBVs of their herds

TEMPERAMENT, also known as docility, is deemed the most important bull selection criteria and estimated breeding value by cattle producers, as reported in the 2024 Beef Breeding Insights Survey.

Through the “Enhancing Technology Adoption Across the Angus Genetic Improvement Pipeline” project funded by the MLA Donor Company, Angus Australia conducted producer surveys in 2019 and 2023 to assess changes in Australian beef producers’ knowledge and attitudes towards genetic technologies.

The 2019 survey established baseline data from 1023 producers, while the 2023 follow-up with 977 participants provided updated insights. The surveys aimed to monitor shifts in producer understanding and adoption of genetic technologies, as well as the prevalence of Angus cattle in the industry over time.

As reported in 2020, post the original survey, temperament was viewed by beef producers as the most important bull selection criteria. Results from the 2024 Insights survey revealed that not only is temperament highlighted as the most important bull selection criteria, but it is also considered one of the most important Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) and considered within the top three reasons producers select their respective breed.

Cattle producers in all states – both Angus and non-Angus – listed temperament as the most important bull selection criteria.

Temperament refers to cattle behaviour in confined spaces or unfamiliar situations, often manifesting as either fear or aggression. Temperament is an essential trait in beef herds, with favourable temperament greatly contributing to the profitability of a beef enterprise.

The benefits of improved temperament are widely recognised for their role in enhancing herd efficiency and profitability. The advantages of good temperament, or docility, are well-documented and recognized throughout the industry.

Key benefits include:

• Lower production costs
• Easier handling
• Reduced infrastructure damage
• Minimized health and safety risks
• Enhanced feedlot performance and eating quality
• Decreased risk of dark cutting

Docility EBV

Estimates of the genetic differences in temperament between Angus cattle can be assessed by the docility EBV provided by Trans-Tasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE). The docility EBV describes the expected percentage of progeny with acceptable temperament based on docility scores collected through yard or crush assessment conducted at weaning.

Docility is a moderately heritable trait, with a heritability estimate of 0.21, making it possible to enhance docility through genetic selection. Additionally, weak but positive genetic correlations between docility scores and production traits suggest that selecting for improved temperament does not negatively impact growth, fat, muscle, or reproductive performance.

Angus Australia members have been making considerable genetic progress over the past 20 years as they continue to select for improved docility.

Change in average Docility EBVs of Angus seedstock animals born 2004-2023.

By prioritising temperament in breeding strategies, producers can drive efficiency and profitability in the evolving beef industry.

• For more information on temperament, docility scoring or the TACE Docility EBV, click here.   
• For more insights from the survey, visit the Australia Beef Breeder Insight report, which provides a detailed summary of the survey findings.

Source: Angus Australia