RED ANGUS GUIDE TO EPDS
ProS - An all-purpose index that covers economically relevant traits across all aspects of the beef supply chain from conception to carcass. HerdBuilder (HB) - Need bulls for developing a profitable cowherd and maximizing the value of marketed progeny? Select a bull with a high HB value. Producers selecting bulls to develop profitable replacement females and maximize the value of non-replacement marketed progeny should incorporate the HerdBuilder Index into their selection decisions. The HerdBuilder Index is built using the following scenario: • Red Angus bulls mated to cows and heifers • Replacement heifers retained from within the herd • All remaining progeny sold on a quality-based carcass grid Given that replacement heifers are retained, significant influence is placed on the obvious maternal ERTs of Stayability, Heifer Pregnancy and Calving Ease. Additionally, with all remaining progeny sold on a quality-based carcass grid, Marbling, Yield Grade and growth EPDs also impact the HerdBuilder Index. GridMaster Index (GM) - If you market all of your calf crop and want to increase the value of that calf crop, select a bull with a high GM value to maximize your profit. Use the Gridmaster Index if your operation’s primary goal is maximizing profitability of feeders in the feed yard and on the rail. The Gridmaster Index is built using the following scenario: • Red Angus bulls mated to cows • All progeny sold on a quality- based carcass grid Marbling, Yield Grade and growth EPDs are the traits of primary importance in the GridMaster Index. Calving Ease Direct (CED) - Breeding Heifers? Select bulls with a high CED to increase the probability that the heifers will calve unassisted. Birth Weight (BW) - Predicts differences in birth weight. BW is included in the CED EPD, so simplify your decisions by selecting bulls based on CED instead of BW.
Weaning Weight (WW) and Yearling Weight (YW) - Predicts differences in weight at weaning and yearling. While selection based on these growth measures can increase your payweight, be cautious what the bull’s other EPDs are. Milk - Predicts differences in weaning weight in daughters progeny due to milk production. Maintenance Energy (ME) - Selecting bulls with a lower ME EPD will decrease the amount of feed his daughters will require to maintain body weight. Heifer Pregnancy (HPG) - Retaining heifers? Select bulls with a high HPG to increase the percentage of exposures that result in a calving observation. Calving Ease Maternal (CEM) - Another number to pay attention to if you are retaining heifers. Selecting bulls with a high CEM will increase the probability of those daughters calving unassisted. Stayability (STAY) - The most important trait if your goal is developing cows that stay productive, thus increasing your profitability. Bulls that have a high Stay EPD are expected to sire daughters that remain productive in the herd until at least 6 years of age. Marbling Score (Marb) - Select bulls with high Marb EPD to increase the number of progeny that grade Choice or Prime. Yield Grade (YG) - Marketing calves on a grid? Placing selection pressure on YG EPD will decrease the number of YG discounts on grid-marketed progeny. Carcass Weight (CW) - Selecting bulls with a high CW EPD will increase the weight of the hanging carcass, which directly impacts revenue. Rib Eye Area (REA) - Need to add muscle? Select bulls with a high REA EPD to increase rib eye area, which favorably increases Yield Grade. Backfat (Fat) - Need to reduce waste in carcasses? Select bulls with a low Fat EPD to reduce backfat, which favorably increases Yield Grade.
EPD AVERAGES & RANGES (SPRING 2024) ProS HB GM CED BW WW YW ADG DMI MILK ME HPG CEM STAY MARB YG CW REA FAT Min. -102 -75 -75 -4 -13.1 3 -14 -.11 -1.08 -3 -38 -4 -6 -4 -.60 -1.04 -53 -.80 -.21 Avg. 89 53 35 13 -1.8 62 100 .23 1.51 25 4 12 7 15 .41 .07 23 .11 .02 Max. 23415615925 9.7122211.563.3947 37 25 20 291.93.511241.98.11
MARCH 22, 2024 // 5
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