The aAa Method - Evaluation AND Analysis

Evaluation AND Analysis

This is NOT a comparison of which is better: Production & Type Evaluation or aAa® Analysis, but rather an objective look at how they are different. This clarifies how both support in different ways the dairy producer's goal to breed profitable cattle and the AI company's goal to sell semen. Dairy producers and AI representatives can achieve these breeding and marketing goals more easily and effectively when evaluation and analysis are used together rather than alone. It's not a question of which is better, evaluation or analysis, but rather why not both? Consider...

Evaluation Scores, Indexes, Linear	Analysis aAa®
1. For selected traits only, indicating positive or negative, good or bad.	1. For all qualities, added or needed, in first to last order from left to right.
2. Looks individually at single traits, apart from their interrelationships.	2. Considers relationships and functions of all traits and qualities, one to another.
3. Measures for degree or extent showing how much good or bad	3. Determines the reason, nature or cause of what evaluation measured good or bad.
4. Profiles how the average daughter looks after mating occurs.	4. Shows what is needed or added by a cow or bull before mating occurs.
5. Indicates where.	5. Explains why:
Legs... + or -	Straight Legs
	shallow feet uneven feet square thurls needs #3 needs #5 needs #6
Front Udder... + or -	Bulgy Udder
	meaty spread swollen needs #2 needs #3 needs #4
Milk... + or -	Low Yield
	saddle loin shallow chest slabby rib needs #1 needs #4 needs #5
6. Sorts the best cows to keep and best bulls to consider for breeding.	6. Assists in determining which cow and which bull to mate to each other.
7. Different basis and standard for each country and breed	7. Same basis and standard for all countries and all breeds.
EVALUATION... IDENTIFIES WHICH ARE THE GOOD BULLS!	ANALYSIS... SHOWS HOW THE GOOD BULLS ARE DIFFERENT!
Use Evaluation to decide if bulls are good enough for your cows!	Use Analysis to get the above average daughters born at your farm!

 

Get the RESULTS you deserve...

Knowing this difference can make a difference

in the quality of your herd!

 

Piet and Joke Beers, Reigerhof. Heerhugowaard, The Netherlands	The DiCiommos, Posticchia Sabelli Lavello, Italy	Grazier Elmer Martin Tippecanoe, IN

Evaluation and Analysis - knowing the difference...

Bill Weeks made another important distinction. Evaluation determines which are the good bulls, but Analysis shows how the good bulls are different. By its design, evaluation identifies where the problem is, such as "front udder" and measures to what degree or extent. Analysis shows why there is a problem and explains the nature or cause of that problem. Evaluation decides what she looks like, but Analysis explains how to get better daughters from her. The difference between the two programs could not be clearer. Yet they are still complementary to each other.

Understanding the difference between evaluation and analysis can make a significant difference in the quality of your herd and the quantity of usable, profitable animals. Knowing which are the good bulls can speed up progress, but knowing the cause of problems is a guide to preventing problems in the next generation. This is a key component of Bill's insight for breeding above average daughters of any bull and making more money.

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