Pasture Proven Profit Driven Selection
6
Selection
INDEX now Available!
Two new Red Angus
selection
indices are now
available
for Commercial
cattlemen.
For
those already using EPDs
for genetic
selection,
these
indices may not be necessary
for
you
to utilize.
If
you have avoided EPDs and have been
relying on
actual and
adjusted data
for
your
genetic
selections, HerdBuilder and GridMaster are easy
to use
tools
that will benefit
you.
However,
if you
are already using EPDs and decide
to use
the
indices
too, you will be putting
increased
selection of
the
traits
that were
included
in
the
formation of
the
index.
For
the Red Angus breed,
the EPD weightings
that ultimately determined each
index were driven by
sound
science. A
technical
committee,
separate
from
the Red Angus board, helps develop all genetic prediction
tools,
eliminating pressure
from
individuals who might have
lots
to
gain or
lose
(politics).
HerdBuilder and GridMaster were no exception.
Obviously when
an
index
is
created
assumptions must be made.
HerdBuilder and GridMaster are
no different.
You
can
access an
in depth
article on development of
the
indices
from our web
site,
Go
to
the
Sale page and
find
the article,
Red Angus unveils
reliable, unbiased
indices
, by
Larry
Keenan, Director of Breed
Improvement
.
Be
confident
that human perception was NOT used
to develop
them.
Rather,
the Red
Angus data base, CattleFax, and economic data
from
Texas A&M
and North Dakota
State University were utilized.
HerdBuilder
Index will move a
typical
commercial herd
toward
their
goal of heifer
retention, while GridMaster will move a
typical
commercial herd
to
their
goal of
fed
cattle and premium
carcass merit.
Key Points
for HerdBuilder and GridMaster
The purpose of an
index
is
to estimate differences
in
an operation’s overall profitability
resulting
from
a particular
sire‐
selection decision.
EPD weightings – and ultimately
indices – are not determined, or adjusted, using human perceptions but are
completely based on
science.
While
the process of
calculating an
index
is
very
complex,
the
resulting
selection
tool
is
very
simple
to
implement.
Red Angus’
selection
indices will provide producers with
a
consistent
selection
tool built on
a
scientific, unbiased
foundation.
Use
the HerdBuilder
Index
if
the
selected
sire will be used
to
generate
replacement
females.
Use
the GridMaster
Index
if
you
are not
retaining
replacement heifers
from
the
selected
sire.
C
MUSHRUSH TRITON A330
100% 1A
Tattoo A330 MUS
Reg. # 1666087
Calved 9/4/2013
Birth Wt. 73 WR
131
YR
113
ADG
2.05
Frame
Scrotal
IMFratio
122
REAratio
87
Index Top %
HB
179 3%
GM
58
1%
BECKTON NEBULA M045
BECKTON NEBULA P P707
BECKTON LANA M809 EP
BUF CRK LANCER R017
MUSHRUSH PRAIRIE MADAM LN U2
MUSHRUSH MADAM WR R20
BECKTONNEPTUNER2K06
BECKTONBELGAK285JL
BECKTONEPICK1K863
BECKTONLANAK253DM
BECKTONLANCERF442T
BUFCRKJULIETN036
BECKTONWARRIORM099
MUSPRAIRIEMADAM471
CED BW WW YW Milk ME HPG CEM STAY Marb YG CW
REA
13 -5.3 68 107 20 0
9
2
14 0.96 0.36 25
-0.41
32
42 37 39 28
4
27
36
42
34
28 32
29
2% 4% 15% 15% 53% 41% 75% 82% 17% 2% 99% 35% 99%
Semen available
Here
is an explanation of where additional
information
is
listed
in
the
catalog, using Ref.
sire C.
←
HerdBuilder
Index
←
GridMaster
Index
← Expected Progeny Differences
(EPDs)
← Accuracy –
listed on herd
sires only.
See pg. 5
for additional
info.
← Percent
rank
