Mulesing, Breech Wrinkle and Breech Cover

Interviewer: Chad, breech wrinkle and breech cover are going to be quite sought-after traits in the next few years, aren't they?

Chad Taylor: I think so. They become more and more important as the industry moves away from mulesing. There's more and more pressure, and I think we need to be aware of what's being asked for and how we go about providing it. Breech wrinkle and breech cover are two traits we're now offering breeding values on, to allow people to select for them.

Interviewer: Chad, it must be exciting to have a new ASBV that helps guide your breeding direction and goals.

Chad Taylor: Well, I think any time we can put some actual data and evidence to a trait, it takes the place of confusion and takes environmental noise out of the equation. You can start to select for the traits in a way that will generate genetic gain.

Breech cover will be offered this year for the first time; we measured it last year. Those are two traits that are very important to moving away from mulesing, and it'll give people the chance to move really rapidly towards an animal that doesn't need mulesing.