Page 5 - DVAuction Online Catalogs

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CATALOG INFORMATION
Expected Progeny Differences
EPDs are included for the animals offered in this sale. The EPDs are derived by
using each animal’s individual performance data as well as the performance data of
all relatives through National Cattle Evaluations done by the respective breed asso-
ciations. EPDs are expressed as plus (+) or minus (–) units that measure that trait.
For example, birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight are given in pounds.
Milk EPDs are expressed as pounds of weaning weight and should be considered
only in cases when daughters of bulls will be kept as replacements. Fat thickness
EPDs are expressed in inches of fat. Some additional information that may be help-
ful to remember about EPDs:
a. EPDs are the best overall prediction of differences in progeny performance and
are useful tools that aid in selection; however, EPDs do not predict an actual
level of performance. For example, a bull with a birth weight EPD of +2.0
should sire calves approximately three pounds heavier than a bull with a birth
weight EPD of –1.0. What the calves actually weigh at birth will depend on en-
vironmental factors, such as how cows are fed and managed prior to calving.
EPDs can’t predict environment.
b. EPDs can be used to compare cattle of any age from any herd within a breed but
cannot be used to compare cattle of different breeds.
c. EPDs on non-parent animals allow valid comparisons before offspring records
are available. EPDs on non-parents are calculated using pedigree information
and individual records. Accuracies on non-parent EPDs are low.
d. EPDs on non-parent animals do a better job of ranking groups of animals than
individual animals.
e. A pedigree estimated EPD is the average of the two parents’ EPD values (1/2
sire EPD + 1/2 dam EPD). Pedigree estimates are how EPDs are generated for
Angus embryo transfer calves.
f. EPDs listed are the most current we have. EPDs can and will change in the fu-
ture due to further computer analysis based on additional records.
g. The following table is designed to serve as a reference for comparing seedstock
of a particular breed. Because most seedstock are selected at a young age, the
most useful standard is often the average of other young animals within the
breed. This table cannot be used to compare EPDs of the different breeds.
BREED AVERAGE EPDS:
CED BW WW YW Milk Marb RE FAT
Angus Current Dams +4 +2.1 +42 +77 +21 +.37 +.24 +.007
Angus Non-Parent Cows +5 +1.8 +45 +83 +23 +.49 +.42 +.008
Angus Non-Parent Bulls +5 +1.8 +46 +84 +23 +.44 +.37 +.009
Hereford +1 +3.5 +46 +75 +19 +.04 +.26 +.001
Purebred Simmental +9 +2.3 +63 +91 +23 +.09 +.60 –.060
Hybrid Simmental +10 +1.0 +58 +89 +22 +.25 +.51 –.040
Non-Parent Lim-Flex +9 +0.3 +49 +94 +27 +.26 –.02
Ultrasound Measurements of Body Composition
Ultrasound measurements were taken on all of the bulls and the yearling females. We
are including this information in addition to each animal’s ultrasound-based body
composition EPDs. Data included are for:
Marbling, or Intramuscular Fat (%IMF), is measured as a percent of fat in the ribeye
muscle at the 12–13th rib interface. This measurement is adjusted to 365 days of
age. Intramuscular fat percentage should only be used for in-herd comparisons, as
feeding conditions may vary. Heritability for marbling is moderate. Beef Quality
Grades are based largely on USDA Graders’ subjective evaluation of the degree of
marbling in the ribeye. Selection for increased marbling should improve beef qual-
ity grades.
Furthermore, the genetic correlation between marbling and fat thickness is low,
meaning breeders can select for increased marbling without also increasing fat thick-
ness. The percent intramuscular fat figures can be converted into quality grades. For
example: 3% indicates USDA Select; 4% indicates USDA Low Choice; 7% indi-
cates USDA High Choice, 9% indicates USDA Prime.
In general, steer progeny should have about 2% more intramuscular fat than
their sires. Therefore, a yearling bull with 3% intramuscular fat should sire steers
with approximately 5% intramuscular fat.
Ribeye Area (RE or REA) is measured in square inches. REA is highly and positively
correlated with percent retail yield. The heritability of this trait is moderately high,
indicating that selection for improvement of REA should be successful. According
to National Beef Quality Audits conducted by NCBA, carcass REAs from 11 to 14
square inches are most desirable. REA is adjusted to 365 days of age. A suggestion
to remember if using ultrasound REA measures in selection programs to improve
muscling: evaluate the ultrasound REA relative to hundred lbs. of live weight. For
example, a bull with a 14.4 square inch REA weighing 1200 lbs. (14.4 divided by 12)
would have a REA/live cwt. ratio of 1.2. While a ratio of 1.0 is considered an ac-
ceptable degree of muscling, breeders selecting for improved muscling should select
bulls with at least a 1.1 or above REA/live cwt ratio. A higher (+) REA EPD would
indicate more muscling.
American Angus Association $Values
Weaned Calf Value (WEAN), an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected av-
erage difference in future progeny performance for preweaning merit. $W includes
both revenue and cost adjustments associated with differences in birth weight, wean-
ing direct growth, maternal milk and mature cow size.
Feedlot Value (FEEDLOT), an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected aver-
age difference in future progeny performance for postweaning performance com-
pared to progeny of other sires.
Grid Value (GRID), an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average dif-
ference in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit compared to progeny
of other sires.
Beef Value (BEEF) , an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average dif-
ference in future progeny performance for postweaning and carcass value compared
to progeny of other sires.
$Values should be used to complement the criteria that producers already use when
selecting bulls. Different management situations may require varying emphasis on
the genetic selection “tools” offered. For instance, one producer might have histori-
cally sold calves at weaning, and rarely used the carcass EPDs in bull selection deci-
sions. First he needs to meet his birth weight EPD/calving ease EPD requirements,
depending on whether heifers are to be bred. Then selections can be made on
Weaned Calf Value ($W) which characterizes revenue and costs associated with the
preweaning phase. He would use $W to capture preweaning dollar differences when
comparing two sires of interest.
In addition, he may want to begin making general progress in improving end-prod-
uct value to create more predictability in his calves, or he may choose to retain own-
ership in the future. In this case, the $B could be used in concert with the selection
criteria he has used in the past, such as $W, to make directional change in post-
weaning and carcass merit.
The $Values are not designed to be driven by a single trait, as an index is multi-trait
by design. These selection tools are the result of the application of industry-relevant
market values to Angus genetics for preweaning, feedlot and carcass merit.
More information on selection tools may be viewed online at the individual breed sites.
EPDs in the catalog were current Mar. 15, 2013. View updated EPDs online.