1. What is the Breed Percentage Equation?

The Breed Percentage Equation calculates the genetic contribution of a specific breed in cattle by comparing the number of ancestors of that breed to the total number of ancestors in the pedigree.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Breed Percentage equation:

Where:

• Sum of Breed Instances — Number of ancestors of the specific breed
• Total Ancestors — Total number of ancestors in the pedigree

Explanation: The equation calculates what percentage of the animal's genetic makeup comes from a particular breed.

3. Importance of Breed Percentage Calculation

Details: Calculating breed percentages is essential for maintaining breed purity, understanding genetic traits, and making informed breeding decisions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the count of ancestors from the specific breed and the total number of ancestors in the pedigree. The sum of breed instances cannot exceed total ancestors.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many generations back should I count?
A: Typically 4-5 generations are used for accurate breed percentage calculations.

Q2: What if I don't know all ancestors?
A: The calculation will be less accurate. It's best to have complete pedigree information.

Q3: How does this differ from genomic testing?
A: This is a pedigree-based estimate, while genomic testing provides actual DNA-based percentages.

Q4: Can I use this for crossbred cattle?
A: Yes, this calculator works for any cattle with known pedigree information.

Q5: What's considered a purebred animal?
A: Most breed associations require 15/16 (93.75%) or higher of the same breed for purebred registration.