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Calving Ease Direct – CED –
is expressed as a difference in per-
centage 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.
PRODUCTION & GROWTH
Carcass Weight EPD – CW –
expressed in pounds is a predictor of
the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny compared
to that of other sires.
Marbling EPD – MB –
expressed as a fraction of the difference in
USDA marbling score of a sire’s progeny compared to the progeny
of other sires.
Ribeye Area EPD – REA –
expressed in square inches, is a predic-
tor of the difference in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny compared to
the 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 of a sire’s progeny
compared to the progeny of other sires.
CARCASS
Calving Ease Maternal EPD – 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 as
compared to the progeny 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.
MATERNAL
$Value index EPDs
are multi-trait selection indices, expressed in
dollars per head, to assist producers by adding simplicity to genetic
selection decisions. The $Value is an estimate of how future prog-
eny of each sires are expected to perform, on average, compared
to progeny of other sires in the database if the sires were randomly
mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment.
There are many $Value Indices. We have included two, $Grid and
$Beef.
Grid Value - $G –
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 –
expressed in dollars per head, is the expected
average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning
and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.
INDEX VALUES
PERFORMANCE DATA -
Beside each animal’s pedigree is a box that
includes the individual’s performance data and their Production EPDs.
BW:
Birth Weight (actual and EPD). All birth weights in this catalog are
actual, not adjusted.
WW:
Weaning Weight (adjusted 205 day weight and EPD).
NR:
Nursing Ratio of the individual’s dam (number of calves she has
raised and the average weaning weight ratio of them). The number in the
right box is the individual’s Milk EPD.
YW:
Yearling Weight (adjusted 365 day weight and EPD). Some bulls in
the catalog have an * in the yearling weight box. This is an actual weight
on Nov. 16, 2012.
SC:
Scrotal Circumference (adjusted scrotal circumference at a year of
age in centimeters).
Integrity of Data Provides the Base
Today’s technological environment demands that we provide up-to-date
information covering many selection criteria. On this page is a descrip-
tion of some of the features we include in our catalog. Not every piece
of data is important to every person. Pay attention to the information you
need and evaluate the animals yourself on sale day to help insure your
own success.
With so much push toward producing curve-bending animals with
extreme numbers, it can be tempting to focus on single trait selection
when you are buying cattle. As we have for generations, we encourage
you to select what works for your program without going for extremes.
We need cattle that with high fertility, good feet and legs, are easy
fleshing and have strong udders – don’t forget this when you make your
selections.
In every case, the integrity of the data is only as good as the person
who reports it. We have made every attempt to collect and report data in
an honest fashion. If you have any questions about any of the numbers
provided, don’t hesitate to ask.
All Sale Bulls were DNA Tested
In addition to the regular weights and measurements we have recorded
and reported for generations, we DNA tested every bull in the offering.
We drew blood and sent it to the American Angus Association. Scientists
with Igenity identified unique genetic markers in each animal and sent
us back much stronger EPDs. This extra information on young animals
can help reduce risk and allow all of us to make faster genetic progress.
For more information on the DNA, see page 13, talk to our American
Angus Association Field Representative Matt Caldwell or visit
.
Information in this Catalog
UNDERSTANDING THE DATA
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