Show-Me-Plus Classification:
This logo shows the farm is Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certified. BQA offers U.S. beef producers guidance on best practices in cattle management, focusing on husbandry, handling, facilities, transport, record keeping, and herd health. With BQA certification, farms demonstrate commitment to food safety, animal welfare, and beef quality. While MO Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program producers are encouraged to be BQA certified, it is not required.
Heifers tested with a heifer genomic prediction panel approved by University of Missouri Extension will be given the designation of a Show-Me-Plus Heifer. These include breed association GE-EPD, GeneMax Advantage, Igenity Beef, Inherit Select, and Method Choice tests. Heifer DNA samples must be submitted and paid for two months prior to sale date. Genomic panel results must be sent to Regional Coordinator and State Beef Geneticist prior to tagging.
Using Catalog EPD information Expected Progeny Difference (EPD): Provides the best means for comparing animals' genetic merit within a breed. It combines individual performance data with that from progeny and other relatives, using national sire evaluation information to factor in related traits and herd mate differences. EPD’s predict how offspring will perform relative to the breed average; it shows whether progeny are expected to do better or worse than those of average parents but does not indicate “good” or “bad” performance. Breeders should assess which traits matter most to their program and use EPDs accordingly. EPD definitions will be discussed by breed of bulls represented to help in understanding catalog information Angus (for more info go to https://www.angus.org/tools-resources/national-cattle-evaluation/epd-value-definitions) 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. 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. 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. 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. Functional Longevity EPD (FL): expressed in number of calves, is a predictor of the number of calves a sire's daughters are predicted to produce by 6 years of age compared to that of other sires' daughters. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction indicating more calves produced on average. Mature Weight EPD (MW): expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the difference in mature weight of daughters of a sire compared to the daughters 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. Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M): an index, expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences from conception to weaning with the underlying breeding objective assuming that individuals retain their own replacement females within herd and sell the rest of the cull female and all male progeny as feeder calves. Beef Value ($B): a terminal index, expressed in dollars per carcass, to predict profitability differences in progeny due to genetics for postweaning and carcass traits. Combined Value ($C): an index, expressed in dollars per head, which includes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($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 sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid.
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