Nov 1, 2024
Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) is pleased to announce the launch and subsequent availability for use of Deer Select 2, the first major update to the industry’s national deer genetics records database since 2005.
Deer Select Manager Sharon McIntyre at Massey’s Big Deer Day Out
The changes include new data, new science, a new platform, and advancements in the field of genetic analysis. These improvements represent a positive step forward for the genetic selection of deer, which has been a significant area of focus for the industry.
New or updated features in Deer Select 2 include:
- Updated (separate) evaluations for red and wapiti
- Genetic groups in growth and meat traits
- Two new reproduction breeding values
- New velvet heritabilities, based on 40,000 New Zealand velvet records
- New genetic parameters for meat, based on Deer Progeny Test (DPT) carcass data
- New and updated economic indexes, with new sub-indexes
- New growth trait post-weaning gain, to avoid double counting using W12 in the index
- A new platform to enable online interaction with your own data in nProve Breeder (Deer)
This last point is important as it means breeders can export their data directly from nProve, although bureaus will still be available for assistance and reporting, or the full service for those who require it.
“We are really excited to be delivering an outcome based on the industry’s investment in science,” says DINZ Deer Select Manager Sharon McIntyre. “The updated system will deliver results that are more accurate, with more sophisticated evaluation that will increase the rate of genetic gain in the deer industry.”
Deer farmers, through their levies, and AgResearch have invested into the Deer Progeny test and DeerLink, and Deer Select 2 turns that investment into a more accurate evaluation for New Zealand deer. DINZ would like to recognize the huge amount of work done by AgResearch on this project, with additional input from AbacusBio – particularly with the new indexes and economic weightings.
Deer Select 2 will run in parallel with the current Deer Select system through the summer, with the current system to be turned off from autumn next year.
“While it is a familiar system, there is quite a bit of change in this update,” says McIntyre, “and not everyone likes change. We’re mindful of that, so there will be plenty of support offered up to breeders and buyers so that they are comfortable with the updated version.
“For now, any animals that have been selected under the current evaluation, we are recommending selling those on current values as they are familiar to buyers and for consistency of data. We also recommend that breeders select young animals or new sires that will be retained for breeding or sale using Deer Select 2.”
You can stay updated on Deer Select 2 by subscribing to the Deer Select newsletter. Alternatively, get in touch with Deer Select Manager Sharon McIntyre at sharon.mcintyre@deernz.org.
