Page 4 - DVAuction Online Catalogs

Performance Information
What are EPDs?
We have not included weaning, and yearling weights on the embryo
transfer bulls and they are so noted as “ET.” Due to variations of breed
influences of crossbred recipient dams, we feel the EPDs are the best
information to use. We do not believe weights of ET calves should be
compared with those raised by their actual dams; thus, to provide the
most accurate comparisons, use the EPDs.
1. Adjusted 205 - Weaning weights adjusted to 205 days of age
and for age of dam. Our calves are not creep fed, and were
even weaned on forages with no grain.
2. Adjusted 365 and Adjusted Scrotal - Weight and Scrotal
Circumference (cm.) adjusted to 365 days of age.
3. Yearling Frame Score - Adjusted 365-day height converted
to a frame score. Remember, this is based on one crude
measurement taken in a chute. Don’t discount a bull on frame
score without taking a look at him. We could easily be off by a
half of a frame score.
4. %IMF (Marbling) - is the amount of desirable fat or marbling
in the ribeye muscle adjusted to 365 days. Several research
studies have shown that the genetic correlation between
marbling and fat thickness is low, meaning producers can
select for increased marbling and not have to be concerned
about having animals put on additional external fat.
5. RE-Adjusted Ribeye Area - is measured in square inches
and adjusted to 365 days of age. REA is positively and highly
correlated with retail product. The heritability of this trait is
moderately high meaning that the trait will be passed on to
progeny. Ribeye Area is the most heritable of all carcass traits.
6. Rib Fat and Rump Fat - is measured in inches and adjusted to
365 days of age. Fat thickness is a good indicator of percent
retail product. The higher the fat thickness (waste fat), the
lower the percent retail product. Fat thickness is slightly lower
in heritability than ribeye.
7. Off-Test ADG - Average Daily Gain (pounds per day) during the
110-day gain test.
8. ADG Ratio - Relative ranking of an animal’s ADG during the
110-day test in relation to the average ADG of the entire test
group which has an average of 100. All bulls were not raised
under the same conditions from birth to weaning and were
in various contemporary groups, thus their ADG’s may be
influenced. We believe that EPDs are the best information to
use as selection criteria.
9. W.D.A. - Lifetime weight (pounds) per day of age. This is an
important parameter to look at for those bulls with lower test
ADG numbers. They may have come on test with a heavy
starting weight and may have a very acceptable WDA, even if
their ADG is lower than some.
An Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is a prediction of how future
progeny of a sire or dam are expected to perform in various production
and carcass traits which are measurable. EPDs are expressed in units
of the trait of interest (i.e. pounds, square inches, or centimeters).
These comparisons can be made by subtracting one animal’s EPD
from another animal’s EPD. When bred to similar cows in the same
environment, the difference between the EPDs is the expected
difference in average performance between those two bulls’ calves for
that particular trait. The EPDs of the animals listed in this sale book can
be compared to other animals of the same breed.
The average EPDs for non-parent Angus bulls are:
CED +5, BW +1.8, WW +46, YW +84, MILK +23, SC +.57,
Marb +.44, RE +.37, Fat +.009
Average EPDs Sim Hybrids:
CE 9.9, BW 1.0, WW 58, YW 89, Milk 22, MB .25, REA .51, BF -.04
Average EPDs Balancers:
CE 108, BW -.15, WW 39, YW 80, Milk 17, SC .3, MB .14, RE .18
Average EPDs Charolais:
CE 2.8, BW .6, WW 24, YW 43, Milk 7, SC .61, MB .03, RE .20
EPD Information is derived from the 2013 Spring National Sire
Evaluations conducted by the Angus, Simmental and Gelbvieh
Associations. Angus, SimAngus, Gelbvieh and Balancer EPDs should
not be compared to each other. Please ask if you need assistance in
understanding how to use the EPDs.
Each EPD has an accuracy value, (Acc.) which measures the
reliability of the EPD. The higher the accuracy, the greater the reliability
of the EPD and the less it would be expected to change.
CED - Calving Ease Direct - 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. On first-calf
heifers we would recommend a CED of +5 or higher.
BEPD - Birth Weight EPD - gives an indication of calving ease. Birth Weight
EPD predicts the birth weight difference one can expect from any two sires.
When bred to genetically similar groups of cows, a bull with a birth EPD
of +5.0 should sire calves with an average birth weight 2 pounds heavier
than a bull with a birth weight EPD of +3.0. Experience has shown that an
Angus bull with a Birth Weight EPD of +2.5 or less can be used on first
calf heifers with a minimum of calving problems.
WEPD - Weaning Weight EPD - is a prediction of a bull’s ability to transmit
weaning growth to his progeny. For example, Bull A has a Weaning EPD of
+40 pounds and Bull B has a Weaning EPD of +60 pounds. At weaning, Bull
B’s calves will average 20 pounds heavier than Bull A’s.
YEPD - Yearling Weight EPD - takes into account both pre-weaning and
post-weaning growth. Yearling weight is the most heritable of all growth
traits. You can expect bulls with high yearling EPDs to produce fast gaining
calves. For example, Bull A has a Yearling EPD of +80 pounds and Bull B
has a Yearling EPD of +100 pounds. Bull B’s calves will average 20 pounds
heavier than Bull A’s at a year of age.
Scrotal EPD - expressed in centimeters, is a predictor of the difference in
transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to that of other sires.
Milk EPD - Expressed in pounds of weaning weight that result from the amount
of milk produced by daughters of a particular bull, as compared to the
daughters of other bulls. If Bull A is +20 for Milk and Bull B is +10, bull A’s
daughters’ calves are expected to weigh 10 pounds heavier at weaning due
to her superior milking ability.
CARCASS EPDS
Marbling EPD - Expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA marbling
score of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires. The higher
the value, the higher the amount of intramuscular fat (taste fat) in the
ribeye, which positively affects quality grade.
RE EPD - Ribeye Area - Predictor of the differences in square inches of ribeye
area of a sire’s progeny, compared to progeny of an average sire. Larger
ribeye areas positively affect yield grade. This trait is highly heritable.
Fat EPD - Predicts the difference in external fat thickness measured between
the 12th and 13th rib of a bull’s progeny compared to progeny of all other
bulls evaluated. Reported in inches.
Genetic Enhanced EPD information – page 16.