Details about the GROWTEC Breeding Program
"Growth Using Technology" 

Our breeding program is based around the use of extensive performance recording. These records are used to estimate breeding values (EBVs) for important traits. A range of animals are available from young inexperienced rabbits through to fully tested working breeders.

 
Extensive performance recording and EBVs = The key to assessing the genetic value of animals for the traits that affect the profitability of rabbit production.
 
The graph above illustrates the genetic trend for growth rate of GROWTEC Rabbits. This graph clearly demonstrates why you should purchase breeders from GROWTEC Rabbits.
 
EBVs provide an objective measurement of a desired production characteristic to compare potential breeding stock. EBVs are a form of quality assurance for the selection of breeding animals. EBVs are produced using measured information, both on the animal itself and all its relatives, adjustment for non-genetic environmental influences such as litter size at birth and accounting for the degree of inheritance of that trait. We are able to estimate EBVs because we have collected extensive performance and pedigree information throughout the five years that we have been running out breeding program.
 
GROWTEC uses EBVs for 3 traits;
 

ADG - Average daily gain in grams per day

NBA - Number born alive in kits per litter

LW28D - 28 day litter weight in kilograms
 
The EBVs reflect the value of the animals genes for that trait relative to the mean of the foundation animals. For example a rabbit with a +2.5 EBV for growth rate has genes estimated to exhibit an additional 2.5 grams per day of growth compared to the original animals of the flock. This equates to 210 extra grams of saleable rabbit over a 12 week growth period. When this is multiplied over all animals in your rabbitry the improvements in profitability will be self evident.
Additional information can be seen in the presentation about the GROWTEC Breeding program.
 
You may also wish to view this presentation about Rabbit EBVs (2 MB).