PERFORMANCE DATA AS AN AID IN LIVESTOCK SELECTION...
calculated by Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR) and are current as of the date of this sale book printing. Scrotal measurements will be on the performance update sheet available sale day.
Molitor Angus is dedicated to providing honest and accurate performance data to their customers. All of the EPDs listed in this sale book are official American Angus Association EPDs
EPDs that traditionally contained all pedigree, performance and progeny information now also include results from available genomic, or DNA, tests. Breeders who use genomic technology give buyers access to AGI-generated GE-EPDs that provide: Increased predictability and decreased risk for young and unproven animals due to enhanced accuracy of EPDs. Better characterization of genetics for diffi - cult-to-measure performance traits such as carcass traits, maternal traits and feed efficiency. The ability to make more rapid progress for traits that are important to you, due to: · more accurate selection · easier identification of genetic outliers · the ability to propagate young animals with confidence earlier in their lives
In fact, GE-EPDs on unproven animals have the same amount of accuracy as if they had recorded 8-33 calves, depending on the trait. That’s valuable insight, offered through weekly evaluation at www.angus.org.
www.angus.org
AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION $VALUE INDEXES
Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M), an index expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences in progeny due to genetics from conception to weaning. Increased selection pressure on $M aims to decrease overall mature cow size and improve foot structure and fertility while maintaining weaning weights consistent with today’s production. Weaned Calf Value ($W), an index expressed in dollars per head, provides the expected difference in future progeny preweaning performance from birth to weaning. Over time, increased selection pressure on $W will increase pre-weaning growth through additional weaning weight and maternal milk with expenses adjustment for mature size and maternal milk. Feedlot Value ($F), an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning merit compared to progeny of other sires. The underlying objective assumes commercial producers will retain ownership of cattle through the feedlot phase and sell fed cattle on a carcass weight basis with no considerations of premiums or discounts for quality and yield grade. Grid Value ($G), an index expressed in dollars per carcass, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit, including quality and yield grade attributes, compared to progeny of other sires. Beef Value ($B), an index expressed in dollars per carcass, facilitates simultaneous multi-trait genetic selection for feedlot and carcass merit. $B represents the expected average differences in the progeny postweaning performance and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires. This index assumes commercial producers wean all male and female progeny, retain ownership of these animals through the feedlot phase and market these animals on a quality-based carcass grid. Combined Value ($C), an index expressed in dollars per head, includes all traits that make up both $M and $B with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the producers retain ownership of those cattle and eventually sell them on a quality- based carcass merit grid. Cow Energy Value ($EN), expressed in dollar savings in cow per year, assesses differences in cow energy requirements as an expected dollar savings difference in daughters of sires. A larger value is more favorable when comparing 2 animals (more dollars saved on feed energy expenses). Mature Weight EPD (MW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the difference in mature weight of daughters of a sire compared to the daughters of sires. Mature Height EPD (MH) expressed in inches, is a predictor of the difference of mature height of a sires daughters compared to the daughters of other sires. Claw Set EPD (CLAW) is expressed in units of claw-set score, with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire will produce progeny with a more ideal claw set. The ideal claw set is toes that are symmetrical, even and appropriately spaced. Foot Angle EPD (Angle) is expressed in units of foot-angle score, with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire will produce progeny with more ideal foot-angle. The ideal is a 45 degree angle at the pastern joint with appropriate toe length and heel depth. Teat Size EPD (Teat), expressed in units of teat size score, with a higher EPD indicating a sire will produce daughters with smaller teat size compared to that of other sires’ daughters. Udder Suspension EPD (UDDR), expressed in units of udder suspension score, with a higher EPD indicating a sire will produce daughters with tighter udder suspension compared to that of other sires’ daughters. Functional Longevity EPD (FL), expressed in number of calves, is a predictor of the number of calves a sire’s daughters are predicted to produce by 6 years of age compared to that of other sires’ daughters. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction indicating more calves produced on average.
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