Meat yield
Eye Muscle Area estimated Breeding Value (EMAceBV) is carcass weight adjusted and is the trait derived from ultrasound scanning the eye muscle of rising yearling deer.
This trait was originally considered to be a tool to select for carcass composition – a greater proportion of the carcass in the higher value cuts (total primal meat yield). Recent research confirms this but also indicates it has much wider benefits. EMAceBV has a high correlation to dressing out percentage, the meat to bone ratio in the carcass, venison tenderness and venison eating quality (texture, succulence and aroma).
EMAceBV
• Total primal meat yield
• Dressing out percentage
• Meat to bone ration
• Venison tenderness
• Venison eating quality
This trait was originally considered to be a tool to select for carcass composition – a greater proportion of the carcass in the higher value cuts (total primal meat yield). Recent research confirms this but also indicates it has much wider benefits. EMAceBV has a high correlation to dressing out percentage, the meat to bone ratio in the carcass, venison tenderness and venison eating quality (texture, succulence and aroma).
EMAceBV
• Total primal meat yield
• Dressing out percentage
• Meat to bone ration
• Venison tenderness
• Venison eating quality
At Tikana we have been eye muscle scanning each crop of fawns at around 11months of age since 2009. Using the information that comes from DeerSelect to make breeding decisions has paid off handsomely. The genetic merit of the Tikana herd for this trait is very high and currently is likely to be greater than any other herd in New Zealand irrespective of breed, red or wapiti.
A genetic trend is the improvement over time for a given trait and is widely accepted as the measure of the progress a breeder is making.
See our Genetic Trend graph below - Tikana is Herd 8314 in DeerSelect.
A genetic trend is the improvement over time for a given trait and is widely accepted as the measure of the progress a breeder is making.
See our Genetic Trend graph below - Tikana is Herd 8314 in DeerSelect.
The average EMAceBV of the bulls on offer in 2022 sale was +1.5cm2.