Temperament is an important trait for all beef producers.
Improved Temperaments add dollars to the bottom line through improved growth rates, increased carcase compliance and decreased labour and operational costs.
Docility is one of the EPD’s available to Simmental breeders with the Simmental IGS evaluation. It is a highly heritable trait that is easily recorded and improved genetically.
The best time for breeders to record Docility is shortly after weaning. Too much handling post weaning reduces the variation in docility scoring and influences the level of management effects on scores.
Breeders can measure docility using a 6 point scoring system, where 1 is docile and 6 is extremely aggressive.
Record the docility score of each animal using either a yard or crush test and the contemporary group and either enter the scores online through your breeder portal or send the scores to Simmental Beef to be entered for you.
You can print out a Docility Fact Sheet from the link below.