All bulls have been Angus GS tested. These genomic-enhanced EPD results are listed with each lot number in the catalog. To assist in your selection, below is an explanation of each EPD that is listed with each bull. American Angus Association® Selection Tools 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. Your guide to our genetics GROWTH
W Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) , an index, expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences from conception to weaning with the underlying breeding objective assuming that individuals retain their own replacement females within herd and sell the rest of the cull female and all male progeny as feeder calves. The model assumes commercial pro- ducers will replace 25% of their breeding females in the first generation and 20% of their breeding females in each subsequent generation. Traits included are as follows: calving ease direct, calving ease maternal, weaning weight, milk, heifer pregnancy, docility, mature cow weight, claw set and foot angle. Weaned Calf Value ($W) , an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for pre- weaning merit. $W includes both revenue and cost adjustments associated with differences in birth weight, weaning direct growth, maternal milk, and mature cow size. Beef Value ($B) , an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the ex- pected average difference in future progeny performance for post-weaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires. Combined Value ($C) , an index, expressed in dollars per head, which in- cludes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($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 owner- ship of those cattle and sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid. Ex- pected 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).
Calving Ease Direct (CED) , is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first calf 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) , expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny compared to that of other sires. Weaning Weight EPD (WW) , expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny compared to that of other sires. Yearling Weight EPD (YW) , expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny compared to that of oth- er sires. Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC) , expressed in centimeters, is a predictor of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to that of other sires. Docility (DOC) , is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle tempera- ment, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another The genetic evaluation produces a single set of EPDs for carcass weight, marbling score, Ribeye area and fat thickness. The units of measure are in carcass trait format and analyzed on an age-constant basis. Marbling EPD (Marb) , expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA marbling score of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires. sire’s calves. CARCASS
Ribeye Area EPD (RE) , expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the differ- ence in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny com- pared to progeny of other sires. MATERNAL Maternal 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 at- tributed to milk and mothering ability. $VALUE INDEXES $Value indexes , are multi-trait selection indexes to assist beef producers by adding simplicity to genetic selection decisions. $Values are reported in dollars per head, where a higher value is more favorable. The $Value is an estimate of how future prog- eny of each sire are expected to perform, on average, compared to progeny of other sires in the database if the sires were ran- domly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment.
ABOVE AVERAGE GOALS REQUIRE TARGETED BULLS
Aim High
The Targeting the Brand™ logo highlights registered Angus bulls with greater genetic potential to produce calves that meet the most challenging specifications of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.
Only 1 in 4 non-parent Angus bulls qualify.
Minimum Genetic Requirements
Marbling EPD (Marb) Dollar Grid Carcass Index ($G)
+0.65 +55.0
For more information on Targeting the Brand™ visit CABcattle.com.
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