WHAT ARE EPDs? ESTIMATED PROGENY DIFFERENCES (EPDs) ARE A PREDICTION OF HOW A SIRE OR DAM’S OFFSPRING WILL PERFORM COMPARED TO OTHERS. EPDs are a representation in the difference in pounds, inches, or centimeters (depending on how that trait is weighted or measured.) The EPD numbers do not correlate to an actual weights or measurement however, there are only to be used to compare against other animals EPDS to represent a difference in genetic potential. For example, a 2.1 BW EPD does not correlate to an 85-pound actual calf. When comparing a 2.1 BW EPD bull to a 1.1 BW bull you could expect a one-pound
difference in actual birth weights between the two sires. Calving Ease Direct (CED): The percentage of unassisted births of a sire when used on first calf heifers. Higher is more favorable.This is to be used when looking for bulls to be used for heifers.We recommend an 8 or higher. Birth Weight (BW): The difference in pounds of birth weight. In today’s production Angus genetics, we find that there are not many bulls that should present calving difficulties in mature cows.The BW EPD is preferred as a selection tool more than an actual birth weight of the Bull.Environment and management can change the birth weight of an animal so drastically that the EPD is a better tool. Weaning Weight (WW): The difference in pounds at Wean- ing.Also seen as a 205 weight in places. Yearling Weight (YW): The difference in pounds at yearling. Also seen as 365-day weight in places. Milk (MK): The difference in pounds at weaning as a result of milk production of daughters. Honestly this EPD we don’t worry about unless they are in the top 5 or bottom 5 % of the breed as there is little to be known about how much milk is actually being produced among the different environments and management in this country. Scrotal (SC): The difference in scrotal circumference in Bulls sons Docility (DOC): The difference in docility scores. Cattle are given scores for disposition and a higher docility is more favorable. Carcass Weight (CW): The difference in pounds of a hanging carcass weight Marbeling (MB): the difference in the USDA marbeling scores. Higher is more favorable. Rib Eye (RE): The different in the square inches of the rib eye. $Maternal ($M): An index (combination) of multiple EPDS that pertain to the profitability difference from conception to weaning for those retaining their own replacement females. In- dex’s are contrived of scenarios that don’t necessarily fit each
production producers management, resources, niche markets or goals.You can also use Index’s for quick sorts but you would have to look towards the individual traits of your needs ideally. $Beef ($B): An index (combination) of multiple EPDS that per- tain to the terminal profitable difference from weaning to harvest. This index awards cattle for higherYW, CW, MB, RE and lower fat. $ Combination ($C): The index (combination) of Index’s.This primarily is a combination of $Maternal and $Beef. This index can easily be influenced by terminal or maternal trait and is not a true prediction of something complete or combined. In most cases it can be, but we still encourage you to look at all traits that best suit you and use $C as a quick sorting tool. DNA scores: Below many EPD bars you will find a line of 18 traits (many that have been abbreviated just like the EPDS above). These are DNA scores and are represented as a percentile rank within the breed (lower is more favorable).This just shows anoth- er layer of the tools used in the decision making that goes into the more accurate EPD above The EPD takes into account, parental information, DNA information, and weights and measures of the actual animal. %Ranks in EPDs: Under many EPDs you will see % ranks. That shows how that animal ranks within the breed for that trait. Ex- ample, 1.87 MB 1%, that means that animal rank is in the top 1% of the breed for MB EPD. There are 26 different EPDs and Index’s provided by the American Angus Association. We list the EPDS and Index’s that are most pertinent to our customers to save space and time. We know some prefer more information and it is always available at WWW. Angus.org In the upper right-hand corner enter the animal’s reg- istration number in the research bar and the entire pedigree and EPD profile is at your fingertips.
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Larson Ranch Annual Bull and Heifer Sale 4
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