5
Dare
to Compare.
Because ACCURACY
MATTERS!
Al l the Data Al l the time – because Accuracy matters
Accompanying all EPDs are accuracy values. Accuracy is a relative measure between genetic prediction and the
true genetic values of a specific trait. Accuracies are reported as a decimal number from zero to one. As an EPDs
accuracy increases to 1.0, it is deemed to more closely reflect the true genetic merit of the animal. By the same
token, accuracies closer to zero indicate that the EPD is subject to a wider swing of ‘possible change’. When
accuracies are printed on pedigrees they are printed without the decimal. (i.e. .3 is printed as 30).
As more data is collected on an animal, its accuracy rises. Non parent animals
like those used for comparison purposes
will not
have accuracy close to 1.0
because they have
no progeny in production with data reported
on them.
Accuracies are generally not printed in sale catalogs. This is in part to
minimize clutter and maximize space. We printed the accuracies of our
Reference sires this year for you to study and compare. You will see the
difference in those that have no or very little progeny compared to more proven.
At Mushrush Red Angus, we take pride in the fact that we collect all the data all the time. As a result we are able to
provide you EPD accuracies that are among the highest in the industry. Mushrush Red Angus EPDs will be subject
to less ‘possible change’ and are more likely to reflect true genetic potential of the animal. This minimizes surprises.
If breeders choose not to collect and report all data, their animals will still receive a full suite of EPDs, but the
accuracy of those EPDs will suffer.
To illustrate, see actual bulls EPDs and accuracies below. We pulled a random bull from one of the many sale
catalogs that we have received this spring. The EPDs listed are the actual EPDs from their sale catalog, with
accuracies added from the Red Angus web site. We compared him to Mushrush Red Angus, Lot 9.
Competitor’s Fall Born bull: This particular lot caught our attention because ME, HPG, and Stay were used to
promote him (those traits were all in the top 2-10 percentile of the breed for non-parents under two years ).
Compare the above accuracy values to those below for Lot 9 - Mushrush Legend A307, fall born bull. Notice the
contrast in accuracy using Mushrush Red Angus genetics.
Dare to Compare!
Herd Navigator
is an exciting new
tool
for
commercial
cattlemen
to help
you make
selection
decisions
in
your
replacement
females
that will move
your program
in
the
direction
you
are
trying
to
go.
It
requires
some
cost and
some
labor, but
essentially
you will end up having
your
females
ranked
for
traits.
Gary
Fike, RAAA
Marketing Director
, will
explain
this opportunity on Wednesday evening at
the presale
social,
or would be happy
to
visit with
you
at
the Pasture Proven Profit Driven Mushrush Red Angus production
sale
too.
HB
GM
CED
BW
WW
YW
Milk
ME
HPG
CEM
Stay
Marb
YG
CW
REA
Fat
142
47
1
0.1
54
90
11
‐11
13
7
14
0.23
‐0.03
24
0.13
‐0.02
accuracy
16
20
18
18
15
0
0
15
0
10
10
15
9
13
HB
GM
CED
BW
WW
YW
Milk
ME
HPG
CEM
Stay
Marb
YG
CW
REA
Fat
174
53
9
‐2
68
100
8
3
10
3
17
.56
.08
26
.32
.03
accuracy
32
42
37
39
28
20
32
36
40
33
27
32
28
36
