EPD and $Value Definitions
Production EPDs 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 should be used as a tool to select sires to mate first-calf heifers. It is important to remember Angus has been notoriously known as a calving ease breed. If Bull A has a 0 CED EPD and Bull B has a +5 CED EPD, then Bull B’s progeny have a 5% greater chance of being born without help. 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. If Bull A has a BW EPD of -1.0 and Bull B has a BW EPD of +2.0, this means on average Bull B’s calves should be 3.0 lbs. heavier at birth. 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. If Bull A has a WW EPD of +44 and Bull B has a WW EPD of +60, this means on average Bull B’s calves should be 16 lbs. heavier at weaning. 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 other sires. If Bull A has a YW EPD of +90 and Bull B has a WW EPD of +102, this means on average Bull B’s calves should be 12 lbs. heavier at yearling. Maternal EPDs 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 attributed to milk and mothering ability. Carcass EPDs Carcass Weight EPD (CW), expressed in pounds is a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires. If Bull A has a +45 CW EPD and bull B has a +35 CW EPD, it is predicted Bull A on average will hang carcasses that are 10 lbs. heavier. 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. Higher Marb EPDs equate to higher marbling scores. For producers trying to achieve quality premiums, this EPD can help to make progress to achieve 2/3 choice or possible prime quality grades, for example. Ribeye Area EPD (RE), expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the difference in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires. Higher RE EPDs are more favorable. Fat Thickness EPD (Fat), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the differences in external fat thickness at the 12th rib (as measured between the 12th and 13th ribs) of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires. Lower or more negative EPD indicates an animal should have less back fat between the 12 th and 13 th rib. $Values are economic index values which basically combined input costs and EPDs to predict the profitability of different animals as different times in the production chain. They are complex to develop, simple to use and allow you to make change in several different component traits at once. Producers can use these to predict something everyone wants Profit. Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) , an index, expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences from conception to weaning assuming producers retain their own replacement females within herd and sell the rest of the cull female and all male progeny as feeder calves.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. If you are a cow/calf producer who retains your own females and sells their calves at weaning time, selecting on $M should help increase the profitability of your operation.
Weaned Calf Value ($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 (WW & YW EPD), maternal milk and mature cow size. If you are a cow/calf producer who sells their calves at weaning time, selecting on $W should help increase the profitability of your operation. Feedlot Value ($F), an index, expressed in dollars per head, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for postweaning feedlot merit compared to the progeny of other sires. The underlying objective assumes producers will retain ownership of cattle through the feedlot phase and sell fed cattle on a carcass weight basis, but with no consideration of premiums or discounts for quality and yield grade. Traits contributing directly to the index are as follows: yearling weight (gain), carcass weight and dry-matter intake. Grid Value ($G), an index, expressed in dollars per carcass, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires. The underlying objective assumes producers will market cattle on an above-industry-average carcass grid. Traits included in the index are as follows (in no particular order): carcass weight, marbling, ribeye area, and fat. Beef Value ($B), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post- weaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires. $B includes both revenue and cost adjustments associated with growth, carcass traits, and feed intake. If you are a cow/calf producer who retains ownership on their calves until harvest, selecting on $B should help increase the profitability of your operation. No costs or revenues associated with maternal performance are included in $B. Combined Value ($C), an index, expressed in dollars per head, tries to predict profit across the entire beef cattle production chain. It takes into account both the maternal cow/calf operational costs and terminal feedlot and carcass revenues. This could be a good tool for producers who want to look at profitability across the segments from conception to the feedlot then to hanging those progeny on a value based grid.
Non-parent Bull Breed Averages
2K Averages
CED EPD BW EPD WW EPD YW EPD Milk EPD CW EPD Marb EPD
6
6
1.2 68
1.5
81
120
139
27 56
27 65
0.78 0.71 0.02
0.77 0.85
RE EPD Fat EPD
0.009
$M $W
66 65 95 57
76
81
$F $G $B $C
110 62 172
155 268
299
28th Annual Production Sale
2
March 15, 2026
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