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Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) , is the prediction of how future
progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the
progeny of other animals listed in the database. EPDs are expressed
in units of measure for the trait, plus or minus. Interim EPDs may
appear on young animals when their performance has yet to be
incorporated into the American Angus Association National Cattle
Evaluation (NCE) procedures. This EPD will be preceded by an “I”,
and may or may not include the animal’s own performance record
for a particular trait, depending on its availability, appropriate
contemporary grouping, or data edits needed for NCE.
ACC: Accuracy is the reliability that can be placed on the EPD. An
accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability.
Growth
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.
Birth Weight EPD (BW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s
ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny compared to that of
other sires.
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.
Yearling Weight EPD (YW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s
ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny compared to that
of other sires.
Yearling Height EPD (YH), is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit
yearling height, expressed in inches, compared to that of other
sires.
Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC), expressed in centimeters, is a predictor
of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to
that of other sires.
Maternal
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.
Cow Energy Value ($EN), expressed in dollar savings per cow per year,
assesses differences in cow energy requirements as an expected
dollar savings difference in daughters of sires. A larger value is
more favorable when comparing two animals (more dollars saved
on feed energy expenses). Components for computing the cow
$EN savings difference include lactation energy requirements and
energy costs associated with differences in mature cow size.
Carcass
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 a 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.
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.
Ultrasound Adjusted Measurements
Adj.Yrlg. Scrotal Circ: Adjusted yearling scrotal circumference, the bull’s
scrotal circumference measured in centimeters adjusted to one
year of age.
Adj. %IMF: The percent intramuscular fat (marbling) adjusted to 365
days of age. Heritability for marbling is in the moderate range.
%IMF Ratio: The percent above or below average (100 = average)
a bull or female is for its marbling scan within its contemporary
group.
Adj.Yrlg. Ribeye Area: Each bull’s ribeye area measured in square
inches and adjusted to one year of age.
REA Ratio: The percent above or below average (100 = average) a
bull is for his adjusted ribeye area.
Adj.Rib Fat: This is the off-test backfat measured in inches adjusted to
365 days of age.
Rib Fat Ratio: The percent above or below average (100 = average) a
bull or female is for its backfat scan within its contemporary group.
$Value Indexes
Weaned Calf Value ($W), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is
the expected average difference in future progeny performance for
preweaning merit. $W includes both revenue and cost adjustments
associated with differences in birth weight, weaning direct growth,
maternal milk, and mature cow size.
Feedlot Value ($F), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the
expected average difference in future progeny performance for
postweaning merit compared to progeny of other sires.
QG & YG,The $Grid Value ($G) is composed of two index parts. These
indexes are called yield grade value ($YG) and quality grade value
($QG), and are reported in dollars per head, with a higher value
being more favorable.
The $YG, the yield grade portion of $G, is influenced by yield
grade premiums and discounts along with EPDs from carcass and
ultrasound databases for ribeye, fat thickness and weight. Based on
these traits, $YG has similarities to the percent retail product (%RP)
EPD, but $YG is expressed in dollars per head and reflects industry-
driven economic weightings.
The quality grade component is $QG, which accounts for
contributions from the marbling EPD and the %IMF EPD in
conjunction with the base industry quality grade schedules. As
with $YG, a three-year rolling average is used in $QG to establish
typical industry economic values in the index. Quality grade
premiums are specified for Prime, CAB® and Choice carcasses, as
well as Select and Standard discounts.
As a reminder, the $Grid Value ($G) combines both $QG and
$YG, and may be the best carcass decision tool for focusing on
quality and red meat yield simultaneously. The use of $QG and
$YG separately is intended for specialized emphasis in a particular
carcass value area.
Grid Value ($G), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the
expected average difference in future progeny performance for
carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires.
Beef Value ($B), an index 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.
Glossary of T erms and Abbreviations