{"id":1382,"date":"2026-04-21T05:10:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T05:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/?p=1382"},"modified":"2026-05-05T09:51:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T09:51:21","slug":"the-data-gap-costing-genetic-gain-why-liveweight-recording-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/21\/the-data-gap-costing-genetic-gain-why-liveweight-recording-matters\/","title":{"rendered":"The Data Gap Costing Genetic Gain: Why Liveweight Recording Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br><strong>How easier on-farm weighing unlocks faster genetic improvement in NZ livestock<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Problem<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-3-1024x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-3-1024x597.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-3-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-3-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liveweight is a cornerstone trait in both dairy Breeding Worth (BW) and beef genetic evaluations. It accounts for roughly 25% of the economic value in dairy BW calculations and is critical for feed efficiency predictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet it&#8217;s one of the most under-recorded traits on NZ farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liveweight is under-recorded relative to its economic importance in breeding indexes. The barrier isn&#8217;t farmer interest \u2014 it&#8217;s infrastructure and labour. Scales are expensive, require infrastructure upgrades, yarding, time, and calibration. Result: liveweight data remains patchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why This Matters for Genetic Gain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contemporary Groups Need Complete Data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Breeding values rely on contemporary group analysis \u2014 comparing animals raised under similar conditions to isolate genetic differences from environmental variation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-1-1024x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-1-1024x597.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-1-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-1-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When 60-70% of cows in a herd aren&#8217;t weighed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Smaller sample sizes reduce statistical power<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower reliability BV estimates result<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Genetic gain slows<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example:<\/strong> A bull with 200 daughters but only 80 with recorded liveweights will have lower BV reliability than a bull with 200 daughters all weighed. Lower reliability = less farmer confidence = slower uptake of superior genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Genomic Selection Depends on Phenotype Data<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-5-1-1024x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-5-1-1024x597.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-5-1-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-5-1-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1200-x-700-px-5-1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NZAEL estimates genomic selection could increase genetic gain by 50% with high uptake \u2014 shifting from $10\/year BW gain to $15\/year. Over 10 years, that&#8217;s $1.36 billion to the NZ dairy industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But genomic predictions are calibrated against phenotype data.<\/strong>&nbsp;More frequent, accurate liveweight recording = better genomic calibration = faster genetic gain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liveweight is 25% of that equation. And right now, it&#8217;s under-recorded and holding back the rate of improvement NZ could achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Changes With Easier Weighing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-1024x597.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-1024x597.png 1024w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-768x448.png 768w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herd testing provides comprehensive milk production data that drives genetic evaluation despite requiring significant time and cost investment. Liveweight could achieve similar data coverage if the practical barriers were removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Current state:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Liveweight recording is patchy and infrequent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recording happens opportunistically (weaning, trading, yarding for other reasons)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small contemporary groups, lower reliability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Future state (with accessible weighing technology):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regular, systematic liveweight recording becomes practical<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recording frequency: 6+ times per year with WeighApp (iPhone), up to weekly with in-field WeighPoint (automated camera)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Larger contemporary groups, improved reliability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Impact:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher reliability BVs (more progeny with recorded weights)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Better genomic calibration (larger reference populations)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Faster genetic gain (farmers more confident in liveweight BVs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthened pastoral genetics (better data enables sophisticated trait evaluation)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Feed Efficiency Equation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liveweight isn&#8217;t just about size. It&#8217;s the denominator in the most important efficiency metric: <strong>output per unit of input.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-7-1024x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-7-1024x597.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-7-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-7-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scanabull.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200-x-700-px-7.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For beef:<\/strong> Liveweight gain per kg of feed<br><strong>For dairy:<\/strong> Milk solids per kg liveweight<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NZ&#8217;s competitive advantage is pasture-based, low-cost production. Feed efficiency drives profitability in pasture systems \u2014 whether producing milk or meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If liveweight data is incomplete, feed efficiency predictions are incomplete.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Genetics Companies Stand to Gain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Improved product accuracy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Higher-reliability BVs = more confident farmer purchasing decisions = faster uptake of superior genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Faster proof turnaround<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bulls with more progeny liveweight data reach high-reliability BVs faster. Shorter generation intervals = competitive advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Better genomic reference populations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More phenotype data = improved genomic predictions = ability to market genomic young sires with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Traceability and verification<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weight-stamped photographic records provide visual proof of phenotype data. Each weight includes time\/date stamp and cattle image \u2014 creating verifiable, traceable records that strengthen data integrity for genetic evaluations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Support for NZ pastoral genetics reputation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NZ genetics are uniquely suited to pastoral, seasonal calving systems \u2014 comprehensive trait recording strengthens this reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Refined breeding objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As industry trends toward fewer, more efficient cows (dairy) or faster-finishing cattle (beef), accurate liveweight BVs support these objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applications for Genetics Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Progeny testing programmes:<\/strong><br>Equip test herds with easy weighing \u2192 increase recording frequency from opportunistic to systematic (6+ times\/year with WeighApp, weekly with WeighPoint) \u2192 achieve higher-reliability BVs faster, with photographic records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On-farm recording partnerships:<\/strong><br>Partner with recording companies (LIC, CRV, etc.) to integrate weight data into herd testing workflows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Genomic reference population building:<\/strong><br>Use easy weighing to expand phenotype databases and improve genomic prediction calibration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Breeding programme support:<\/strong><br>Use more frequent liveweight data to refine breeding objectives and develop feed efficiency traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Research and development:<\/strong><br>Explore new traits (growth curves, seasonal variation) with comprehensive liveweight datasets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Genetic gain is a compounding investment. Every year of faster improvement builds on the previous year. Over 10 years, a 50% increase in the rate of gain is worth over $1 billion to the NZ dairy industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Liveweight is 25% of that equation. The technology to close the data gap now exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Scanabull<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scanabull is a 3D vision-based cattle weighing system built for NZ livestock industries. Using an iPhone Pro camera, farmers and livestock professionals can capture individual or mob-average weights in seconds \u2014 no crush required, can be done in any yard, any age without expensive infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For more information:<\/strong><br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scanabull.com\">www.scanabull.com<\/a> | <a href=\"mailto:weighin@scanabull.com\">weighin@scanabull.com<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How easier on-farm weighing unlocks faster genetic improvement in NZ livestock The Problem Liveweight is a cornerstone trait in both [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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