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. 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.
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 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 other sires. Docility (Doc) , is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. In herds where temperament problems are not an issue, this expected difference would not be realized. 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. MATERNAL EPDs Heifer Pregnancy (HP) , is a selection tool to increase the probability or chance of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant as first-calf heifers during a normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction and the EPD is reported in percentage units. Calving Ease Maternal (CEM) , is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-calf daughters. It predicts the average ease with which a sire’s daughters will calve as first-calf heifers when compared to daughters of other sires. Mature Height EPD (MH), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the difference in mature height of a sire’s daughters compared to daughters of other sires. 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. MANAGEMENT EPDs Docility (Doc), is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. In herds where temperament problems are not an issue, this expected difference would not be realized. 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 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. Pulmonary arterial pressure EPD (PAP), is expressed in millimeters of Mercury (mmHg), with a lower EPD being more favorable indicating a sire should produce progeny with a lower PAP score. PAP score is an indicator of susceptibility to high altitude disease commonly experienced at elevations greater than 5,500 feet. Selection for this trait aims to improve the genetic potential for a sire’s progeny to have lower PAP scores thus a lower chance of contracting high altitude disease increasing the environmental adaptability of cattle living in mountain areas. 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. 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. 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. $VALUE INDEXES $Value indexes, an economic selection index allows multiple change in several different traits at once pertaining to a specific breeding objective. The $Value is an estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform, on average, compared to progeny of other sires if the sires were randomly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment.
carcass traits. This terminal 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 carcass grid. Traits included in the index are as follows: yearling weight, dry-matter intake, marbling, carcass weight, ribeye area and fat. Combined $Value Combined Value ($C) , expressed in dollars per head, is an index 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 eventually 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). Yellow - This bull’s actual birth weight and calving ease, along with genetic predictions, shows promise as a sleep all night heifer bull specialist. Green - This bull should sire high performing cattle in growth and efficiency. Expect calves of these bulls to smash the scales at weaning, in the feedyard and on the rail. Red - This bull should sire cattle that do extremely well on carcass grids, breed leading carcass weight, marbling and ribeye area. Pink - This bull should sire females that have the functional traits to make a maternal momma cow. Expect adequate calving ease, heifer pregnancy, and milk while still having those non-measurable traits that allow cows to stay in the herd. Grey - This bull should be a foot improver, in both claw and angle. Blue - This bull’s genetic predictions say that he should be able to perform at altitude. Purple - This bull has the above breed average for what I call the eye test on phenotype. Orange - This bull has a balance of traits to breed accordingly in various scenarios. To earn this Hornung Livestock logo, we believe this bull is a herd bull prospect that has balanced trait selection to perform in any area of the beef industry to sire cattle that perform from “Conception To Carcass." These are the bulls that we strive to breed! Top Dollar Angus Logo - This bull’s offspring qualify for the Top Dollar Angus program, connecting TDA feeder calves with their ever-growing network of feeding partners! Certified Angus Beef Logo - The farmers and ranchers behind the Certified Angus Beef® brand are dedicated to delivering the very best Angus beef, including premium and natural product options, to meet each customer’s expectations. Every cut meets our 10 quality standards, ensuring exceptional taste. Just look for our logo—it’s your guarantee of superior quality!
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 producers 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
CAB®
$Values
Maternal EPDs Carcass EPDs
ease direct, calving ease maternal, weaning weight, milk, heifer pregnancy, docility, mature cow weight, claw set and foot angle. Beef Value ($B) , a terminal index, expressed in dollars per carcass, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for postweaning and
Production EPDs
Management EPDs
Genetic Test Scores
Special Designations
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2026 CONCEPTION TO CARCASS PRODUCTION SALE || MARCH 11, 2026
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