EPD Descriptions EPD (Expected Progeny Difference): 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, with the minus symbol ( - ) indicating lower than breed average. ACC (Accuracy): is the reliability that can be placed on an EPD. An accuracy of closer to 99 indicates higher reliability. Accuracy is affected by the number of progeny with records in the pedigree; the more animals in the pedigree that have records in the data - base, the higher the accuracy will be. RANK: based on percentages, this indicates where an animal’s EPD ranks them in the entire population of the breed. The higher the rank, the better the animal is in the breed for that trait. CE (Calving Ease Direct): is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease. CE data is from Piedmontese to Pied - montese matings. (EPD CE1C is for Piedmontese mated to a non-Piedmontese animal) BW (Birth Weight): expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire or dams ability to transmit birth weight to their 2-copy progeny compared to that of other animals in our breed. A BW EPD of 4.5 means that average offspring will be 4.5 pounds heavier at birth than breed average; BW EPD of -3.5 means the average calf will be 3.5 lighter at birth. WG or WW (Weaning Weight): expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire or dams ability to transmit weaning growth to their progeny compared to that of other animals in our breed. YG or YW (Yearling Weight): expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire or dams ability to transmit yearling growth to their progeny compared to that of other animals in our breed. H HT (Hip Height): expressed in inches, is a predictor of the difference in mature height (frame score) of a sires or dams progeny compared to the progeny of other animals in our breed. REA (Ribeye Area): expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the difference in ribeye area of a sires or dams progeny compared to the progeny of other animals in our breed. FG (Feed to Gain): expressed in pounds of dry matter (feed), is the predication of the amount of feed it takes to produce a pound of gain in a sires or dams progeny in our breed. A lower number indicates improved feed efficiency. FI (Feed Intake): expressed in pounds of dry matter (feed) per day, is the predictor of a sires or dams ability to transmit feed intake during the postweaning phase to their progeny compared to that of other animals in our breed. A lower number indicates less feed is consumed. SC (Scrotal Circumference): expressed in centimeters, is a predictor of a sires or dams ability to transmit scrotal size compared to other animals in our breed. BW 1C (Birth Weight 1-copy): expressed in pounds, is a predictor of birth weight in 1-copy crossbred calves from non-Piedmontese (non-myostatin-carrier) females. CE 1C (Calving Ease 1-copy): expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease, in 1-copy crossbred calves from non-Piedmontese females.
TERMINAL CROSS ??? Pay attention to the BW1C epds... This is shown in POUNDS of birth weight from NON- Piedmontese cows... All calves will be 1-copy for the inactive myostatin gene and normally have lower birth weight / improved calving ease as compared to 2-copy calves sired by the same bull. Example: Ear Tag 8145 Lot # 24 BW epd is 0.4 BW1C epd is -1.1 His 2-copy calves can be expected to average almost 1/2 pound heavier at birth; but his 1-copy calves are expected to be 1.1 pounds lighter at birth. 1-copy calves result in improved carcass YIELD, consistently YG 1 or 2; and can also (especially from British-breed dams) Grade Choice. All in just one cross- breeding season with Piedmontese 2-copy bulls on your cow herd.
1-copy Piedmontese
0-copy carcass
photos from USDA Meat Animal Research Center (MARC)
Page Number 5
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online