Genetic Selection Information
Below you will find descriptions of the EPD Data listed in this sale catalog. Expected Progeny Difference (EPD), is the prediction of how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in the database. EPDs are expressed in units of measure for the trait, plus or minus. Interim EPDs may appear on young animals when their performance has yet to be incorporated into the American Angus Association National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) procedures. This EPD will be preceded by an “I”, and may or may not include the animal’s own performance record for a particular trait, depending on its availability, appropriate contemporary grouping, or data edits needed for NCE.
Calving Ease Direct (CED), predicts the probability of calves being born unassisted out of 2-year-old heifers. It predicts the average difference in ease with which a sire’s calves will be born when he is bred to first-calf heifers. Birth Weight EPD (BW), predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth weight, and is also used in the calculation of Calving Ease Direct (CED) EPD. Weaning Weight EPD (WW), predicts the difference, in pounds, for weaning weight (adjusted to age of dam and a standard 205 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to weaning. Yearling Weight EPD (YW), predicts the expected difference, in pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted to a standard 365 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to yearling. Milk EPD (Milk), is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of other sires. In other words, it is that part of a calf’s weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability. Calving Ease Maternal (CEM), predicts the probability of a given animal's daughters calving unassisted at two years of age. Marbling EPD (Marb), predicts differences for carcass marbling score as expressed in marbling score units. Higher marbling scores are positively correlated with higher carcass quality grades. Ribeye Area EPD (REA), predicts differences of carcass Rib Eye Area between the 12th and 13th rib. Increased Rib Eye Area has a beneficial effect on Yield Grade which also includes Carcass Weight and Fat Thickness. Red Angus Specific Epd’s Stayability (STAY) predicts the probability of a bull’s daughters remaining productive until at least six years of age. This is a selection tool to improve overall cowherd efficiency through reducing replacement rate. Cows that stay productive, are problem free and last longer mean a larger percentage of heifers can be cash cropped, instead of developed as replacements. STAY predicts the probability of a bull’s daughters remaining productive until at least six years of age.
HerdBuilder (HB), Producers selecting bulls to develop profitable replacement females and maximize the value of non-replacement marketed progeny should incorporate the HerdBuilder Index into their selection decisions. This Index focuses on Stayability, Heifer Pregnancy and Calving Ease but also factors in carcass based traits and growth indicators. GridMaster (GM), Use the GridMaster Index if your primary goal is maximizing profitability of feeders in the feedyard and on the rail. Marbling, Yield Grade and growth EPDs are the traits of primary importance in the GridMaster Index. Angus Specific Epd’s Combined Value ($C), an index, expressed in dollars per head, which includes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) and Beef Value ($B) with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the producers retain ownership of those cattle and sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid. Expected progeny differences (EPDs) directly influencing a combined index: calving ease direct (CED) and maternal (CEM), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), maternal milk (Milk), heifer pregnancy (HP), docility (DOC), mature cow weight (MW), foot angle (Angle), claw set (Claw), dry matter intake (DMI), marbling (Marb), carcass weight (CW), ribeye area (RE) and fat thickness (Fat).
RED ANGUS BREED AVERAGES
HB
GM
CED
-1.7 BW
WW
108 YW
MILK
STAY
MARB
0.13 REA
50
52
13
68
26
15
0.46
ANGUS BREED AVERAGES
CED BW WW YW MILK CEM MARB REA
$C
6
1.2
66
117
26
8
0.66 0.65
256
VISIT THE BREED ASSOCIATION WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION ON GENETIC SELECTION TOOLS REDANGUS.ORG | ANGUS.ORG
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MARCH 3, 2026 IN ALVA, OKLAHOMA
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