Some traits are not so easily characterized for $Profit. Milk, for example, is a good thing until you get too much. When over +25, milk EPD has a more negative effect on fertility than it has a positive effect on weaning weight. There are a few traits not yet included in $Profit: longevity, structure, and disposition. These traits are important but difficult to express in dollars. Feed Efficiency EPDs Explained: Feed:Gain: Difference in the amount of feed a bull’s progeny will consume to produce one pound of gain. Example: A -0.50 F:G EPD means this animal’s progeny will consume 1/2 pound less feed per pound of gain than would progeny of a zero F:G EPD sire. Feed Intake: Difference in feed consumption of each of a bull’s progeny in a 112 day feeding period. Example: A steer whose sire has a -100 Intake EPD will eat one hundred pounds less feed in 112 days than one whose sire had a zero Intake EPD. EPD Definitions Genetic prediction values from the $Profit Share program are generated on an across breed basis. This means that all animals can be compared regardless of their breed or breed mix. Further, when applicable, all EPD values are directly comparable to their equivalent in the American Angus Association. Definitions for the values on each trait follows: 1. F:G is the pedigree estimated feed to gain EPD that predicts the feedlot efficiency of the bulls offspring. A negative number means that the bull’s progeny will use less feed to gain a pound of live weight. Example: -0.50 means that the bulls progeny will require ½ pound less dry matter feed per pound of gain. 2. Intake: is an estimate of the amount of feed that the bull’s progeny will consume over a 112 day feeding period. Animals with higher intake will consume more throughout their life. Animals with lower intake will consume less. This is the best prediction of the feed needs for a bull’s steer offspring and for the feed needs of daughters. 3. $Ranch EPD: This profit index predicts weaning profitability based on calving ease, weaning weight, maternal milk, cow cost, and FERTILITY. It is based on producing 100 calves. Selection for this index will increase profit per acre and decrease cow size. 4. $Feeder: This number is expressed in terms of the bull’s added value to the sale price of your feeder calves. It is expressed in dollars per head. Thus when comparing a +100 bull vs. a +50 bull, we expect the first bull to sire calves worth $50 per head more at weaning (regardless of their weight). 5. $Profit™ EPD: One, simple, proven number that gives each trait a weight according to its impact on profit. This takes into account fertility, growth, feed intake, and carcass mer - it. This index is the fastest method to improve the overall profitability of a herd of beef cattle. “On the Ranch, In the Feedlot, & On the Rail, $Profit™ simply works!” Lee Leachman
5
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online