EXPLANATION OF EPDS $T AND $M INDEX
$M - $Maternal is an index used for selection of animals to produce replacement females. It is designed to balance weaning weight with cow maintenance and fertility. It is expressed as profit per cow exposed based on the economically relevant traits that comprise $M. The traits used to calculate $M are BW, WW, Milk, YW and SC. (Higher Value is better) $T - $Terminal is an index used in the selection of terminal sires. It is designed to balance growth and carcass traits to maximize the value of animals that are marketed on a grid basis. The value is expressed on a per head basis. The traits that comprise $T are YW, REA, IMF and Fat. (Higher Value is better) $FE - $Feed Efficiency is an index used to select for feed efficient animals. It is designed to balance residual feed intake with post weaning growth. It is expressed on a per head basis and the traits that comprise $FE are RFI, WW and YW. (Higher Value is better) CED- Calving Ease Direct, expressed as a percentage, predicts the differences in the percent of unassisted births in 2 year old dams. (Higher Value is better) BW- Birth Weight, expressed in pounds, predicts the differences in birth weight. (Lower Value is better) WW- Weaning Weight, expressed in pounds, predicts the differences in 205 day weight. (Higher Value is better) YW- Yearling Weight, expressed in pounds, predicts the differences in 365 day weight. (Higher Value is better for terminal and more moderate is better for maternal) Milk- Milk, expressed in pounds, predicts difference in weaning weight attributed to the milking ability of an animal’s daughters. (Higher Value is better) SC- Scrotal Circumference, expressed in centimeters, predicts the differences in scrotal size. (Higher value is better) MCE- Maternal Calving ease, expressed as a percentage, predicts differences of animals’ daughters calving unassisted as 2 year olds. (Higher Value is better) Stay- Stayability, expressed as a percentage, predicts the differences of an animals’ daughters to remain in the herd through 5 years of age, and have calf each year. (Higher Value is better) AFC- Age at First Calf, expressed in days, predicts differences in age at when an animal’s daughters will calve. (Lower Value is better) RFI- Residual Feed Intake, expressed in pounds, predicts the differences in residual feed intake. (Lower Value is better) REA- Ribeye Area, expressed in square inches, predicts differences in area of ribeye muscle. (Higher Value is better) MARB- Marbling or IMF, expressed as a percentage, predicts differences of percent of IMF. (Higher Value is better) FAT- Fat, expressed in inches, predicts the differences in fat over the 12th and 13th rib. (Lower Value is better)
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