Record any species as multiple populations

"Population" is just our generic name for herds, flocks, gaggles or whatever else your collection of animals should be called. The image below shows two populations, one is called Valley Angus and is a herd of Angus cattle. The other is our Example sheep population.

Even though we start you with the Example population (more about that later), you can add your own population using the "Manage Populations" tool at the top right of the image above. The link takes you to a new page where you can add the name and species of the new population. The name will appear on the tab listing you saw earlier, like "Valley Angus".

Within population, record animals, parents, sex, birth dates, breeding status

We make it easy to add animals! Simply give each animal a unique ident or tag; you can include names and numbers. Select the sire from the drop-down lists of available males and the dam from available females. Then record birth date and set their status for mating: available or unavailable!

Easily edit animals

The same features you see in adding animals are available for editing. Drop-down parent lists, easy add birth dates with the calendar function, and change the status with a mouse click. If you change your mind part way through, just click on the "<cancel>"

View animal details, pedigree and progeny

Popup individual animal details, 3-generation pedigree showing common ancestors, and a listing of all progeny.

Request inbreeding minimisation mating lists with ease

All animals marked as "available" become available for mating. Simply request a new mating recommendation, set up how many matings you wish to make, and the maximum times each male can be used, and our algorithms will begin the search for a mating list that minimises the inbreeding in the progeny of the matings AND minimises the overall coancestry. No other software available on-line can do this for you!

Apply genetic improvement using uploaded Index and choice of mating strategies

Upload your Lambplan, Breedplan, SIL or other genetic selection Index into your population using the file Import process.

Then choose from 4 different mating strategies, each placing increasing emphasis on improving genetic gain on Index, while minimising inbreeding and coancestry. This is state-of-the-art mate selection implementing Optimal Contributions Theory in an easy to use, low cost and practical method.

View, print or download multiple mating lists

Your mating list will be available when the analysis is completed allowing you to view, print or download the list to other software tools. View all your mating lists in one handy table.

Pedigree and data file importing and exporting

A flexible importing procedure allows quick uploads of pedigree information or data from other programs. Export your data into a comma-separated format for use in spreadsheets or other software.

"How-to" hints to help you get started

Each view or tool comes with handy hints to help you get started using that feature. Each hint can be "turned off", and all hints can be turned on again under the "More Information and Settings" menu item if you want to see them again.

The Example population to help you learn

We've created a special Example data set to show you how to use X'Aim and to demonstrate different aspects of breeding, such as inbreeding minimisation. There is nothing special about the data set; it's modelled on a sheep flock. But the way we handle it is special. You can modify it and in doing so learn how to use X'Aim features. On a regular basis we will "reset" the Example data; we might have made changes to it, or added features that we want to demonstrate to you! We might even pop some surprises in there so keep an eye out for notices we post about Example!