Accuracy Values
An EBV predicts the breeding merit of a ram for a specific trait. The degree to which this EBV reflects the “true” breeding merit of the ram depends on how much performance data is available for analysis.
Accuracy values range between 0% and 100% and indicate the likelihood of an EBV or Index changing (up or down) over time.
| Ram Lamb | EBV | Accuracy |
| Scan weight | 5.0 | 78% |
| Muscle Depth | 3.2 | 67% |
| Fat Depth | 0.3 | 69% |
The ram lamb has superior EBVs, but his lower accuracy values indicate here is a greater chance that they may change in future evaluations.
| Stock Lamb | EBV | Accuracy |
| Scan weight | 4.5 | 97% |
| Muscle Depth | 2.8 | 92% |
| Fat Depth | 0.2 | 94% |
High accuracy values provide buyers with the confidence that a ram’s EBVs are accurate and close indicators of his true breeding potential.
Rams with low Accuracy Values
EBVs based on limited amounts of information are adjusted towards an average figure until more data becomes available. Amongst those rams with low accuracy values there may be individuals with good genetics but a lack of performance data means they are difficult to identify using EBVs.
Ram buyers can use accuracy values to predict the likelihood that a ram’s EBVs will change over time.
