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1. The birth weight itself influences calving ease by 65%. 2. The female has 60-70% influence on birth weight of her calf. 3. The bull has 30-40% influence on birth weight of his progeny. 4. Pelvic measurement and angle, as well as the shape of the calf has 35-40% influence on calving ease. 5. Length of gestation greatly affects birth weight. A fetus can gain over one pound per day in the last days of gestation. 6. Weather and temperature the last 30 days affect the length of gestation. 7. Size and maturity of the cow influence calving ease. 8. Remember, everything is relative. Increased growth, frame and performance will increase birthweight. A longer bodied calf will weigh more. If a calf is expected to have genetics for growth, it will display this prior to birth, as well as after. 9. A cow should easily give birth to a calf weighing 8% of her body weight. Thus a 1200 lb. cow should give birth to a 96 lb. calf with ease. 10.We have seen as much as a 40 lb. difference in calf weights from a single sire. The weight difference seemed to follow the Dam’s BW EPD almost every time. If you are not physically recording birth weights, guessing is as accurate as driving with a broken speedometer. Calf Birth Weight Study: University studies in Wyoming & data from Montana and Colorado lend credence to these conclusions:
“We get our biggest boost in performance due to heterosis in lowly heritable traits like cow longevity and fertility. And given today’s cost in developing replacement heifers, cow longevity is more important now than ever before. “Indeed, cow longevity and fertility are two of the most important economic traits in a commercial cow herd. Without question. That’s because you can’t sell a calf that’s never born. And the longer a cow stays in the herd, the more her calves economic value to the rancher.” Bob Weaber
Kansas State University Professor and Extension Cow Calf Specialist
A Salers cow is a hard working cow with staying power and longevity. That’s what Salers breeders have always known.
Definition of EPDs
Birth EPD (pounds) is based on the measured birth weight of progeny, adjusted for dam age. The lower the value the lighter the calf at birth and the lower the likelihood of a difficult birth. This is particularly important when selecting sires for use over heifers. Weaning EPD (pounds) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 80 and 300 days of age. Values are adjusted to 205 days and for age of dam. This EPD is the best single estimate of an animal's genetic merit for growth to early ages. Yearling EPD (pounds) is calculated from the weight of progeny taken between 301 and 450 days of age, adjusted to 365 days and for age of dam. This EPD is the best single estimate of a sire's genetic merit for yearling weight. Milk EPD (pounds) is an estimate of an animal's milking ability. For sires, this EPD indicates the effect of the daughter's milking ability, inherited from the sire, on the weaning and yearling weights of her calves. For dams, it indicates her own milking ability. Maternal Weaning Weight EPD (pounds) is a combination of Milk and Weaning EPDs and estimates the genetic merit of the animal to produce a calf at weaning. Calving Ease Direct predicts the ease with which the progeny of the individual should be born. A positive number indicates easier calving. Calving Ease Maternal indicates the ability of a sire’s daughters to have a calf at two years of age. Higher or positive numbers indicate easier calving for the daughter of the individual. Marbling Score EPD is calculated from numeric scores assigned to each carcass quality grade division. Data is adjusted to a standard carcass weight of 750 lb. Positive EPD values indicate greater numeric marbling scores at the same carcass weight.
Carcass Weight EPD (pounds) is calculated from carcass weight data from the progeny of sires, adjusted to 450 days of age. Positive values indicate heavier carcass weights at the standard age of 450 days. Rib Eye Area EPD (square inches) is calculated from live animal ultrasound measurements and carcass measurements of rib eye area taken between the 12th and 13th rib, and adjusted to a 750 lb. carcass weight. Rib eye area is closely associated with percent retail product when carcass weight is held constant. Sires with more positive Rib Eye Area EPDs are expected to produce better muscled and higher percentage yielding progeny at the same carcass weight than will sires with lower Rib Eye Area EPDs. Fat EPD (inches) is calculated from live animal ultrasound measurements and from carcass measurements of subcutaneous fat depth at the 12/13th rib site. Data is adjusted to a standard 750 lb. carcass weight. Sires with lower EPDs are expected to produce leaner progeny at any particular carcass weight than are sires with higher EPDs. Docility EPD is calculated from measurements of temperament score. Positive EPD values indicate a tendency towards more acceptable temperament. Stayability EPD is calculated from calving and pedigree information. It predicts genetic differences in the likelihood that daughters will remain in production until six years of age or beyond. EPDs are expressed as deviations from a 50% probability.
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