Page 5 - DVAuction Online Catalogs

$ Value Indexes
$ Values are multi-trait selection indexes expressed in dollars per head, to assist commercial beef producers. Just as with
EPD’s, variation in $ Values between animals indicates average expected differences in relative value of progeny if ran-
dom mating is assumed and the calves are exposed to the same environment.
$ W: Weaned Calf Value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance
for preweaning merit compared to progeny of other sires.
$ F: Feedlot Value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for
post weaning performance compared to progeny of other sires.
$ G: Grid Value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for car-
cass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires.
$ B: Beef Value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post
weaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires. The $B value combines the contributions of $F and $G.
Helpful Information to Understanding and Applying the Catalog Data
+1.8 74 +24 620 103 +17 +48 +5 +5
EPD WT EPD Adj. 205 WR EPD EPD CED CEM
BIRTH WEANING WT. DIRECT MILK YRLG Calving
Expected progeny difference (EPD) - is the estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform in each of
the traits listed. EPD is expressed in pounds, either plus or minus.
Birth WT - actual birth weight taken with scales.
Birth EPD - expressed in pounds, is the difference between average progeny birth weights for sires. Birth weight cannot be
used to predict actual birth weights due to maternal differences and differences in environment. Experience has taught us
that the use of sires with lower birth weight EPD’s can reduce the risk of calving difficulty.
Weaning Wt. Direct EPD - expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sires ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny.
Weaning Wt. Adj. 205 - all calves are adjusted to a 205 day weight bringing them to an equal number of days of age for
comparison.
WR - adjusted weaning weight ratio.
Milk EPD - is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters.
Yearling Wt. EPD - expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny.
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 an sire’s calves will be born
when he is bred to first-calf heifers.
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.
Dam’s Progeny Weaning Ratio - the number of calves a cow has weaned and at what adj. weaning weight ratio.
ET - embryo transfer calves are all ratioed 100 by the American Angus Association.
Records - All weaning and yearling weights are processed through the American Angus Association’s Angus Herd Improve-
ment Records program (AHIR).
Understanding Carcass Data
$W $F $G $B
+26.08 +16.32 +21.09 +37.25
$ Values
Carcass
CW Marb RE Fat
+7 +.40 +.12 +.009
Carcass Weight EPD (CW) , expressed in pounds is a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny
compared to progeny 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 com-
pared to progeny of other sires.
Fat Thickness EPD (Fat), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the differences in external fat thickness at the 12th rib (as
measured between the 12th and 13th ribs) of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.