The
Marchigiana, Chianina and Romagnola Genetics Center
Selection of the male line for the Marchigiana, Chianina and Romagnola breeds
is based mainly on the performance tests carried out at the Genetics Center
in San Martino in Colle (Perugia). Today, the performance test represents
the main tool used for the genetic evaluation of beef cattle. It consists
of verifying individual production capacities through tests done on young
male breeders that have been raised in standard conditions at specially-designed
control stations. In fact, the use of uniform management conditions represents
the basic premise behind the validity of these tests, drastically minimizing
the effects of environmental variability.The young cattle are sent to the
center on a monthly basis when they reach an age of five months. The animals
are admitted to the center after all subjects of the same age available in
a given population have been assessed, giving careful consideration to the
traits of each animal as well as those of its parents. This is followed by an adaptation period, at the end of which th 24-week
test begins. During this period, the animals are weighed, measured and assessed
morphologically at preset intervals. All the data that is collected is the
processed and summarized in a Bull Selection Index, which expresses the subject's
growth rate, muscle development and beef yield. Here, not only is the animal's
personal performance taken into consideration, but the performance of all
its tested family is considered. This index is then used to draw up a bull
classification list and the best ones will be used for reproduction via
artificial insemination. The presentation and sale of this bulls is
done during public livestock auctions that are held every three months.