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DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Birth Wt:
Weight taken before the calf is 24 hours old.
Adj. Wean Wt.:
Weaning weight adjusted to 205 days and adjusted for age of dam.
Test ADG:
Average daily gain on 84 day test. ADG ratio determined within breed group and age
group. Ratio above 100 indicates ADG above group average.
Test WDA:
Weight per day of age at the end of test. WDA ratio is determined within breed group
and age group. A ratio above 100 indicates a WDA above the breed group average.
Final Wt.:
Final weight of the bull at the end of the 84 day test period
Foot Score:
Each bull was evaluated for foot structure using the American Angus Association foot
score guidelines. A score of 5 is ideal for both pastern and claw set. See chart on
inside back cover. The first number is claw set. Second number is pastern score.
Frame Score:
Frame Score using BIF formula.
Yearling Wt.:
Adjusted 365 day yearling weight (BIF formula used) for bulls on performance test.
Scrotal:
Scrotal circumference in centimeters taken at the end of the 84 day test period.
Ultrasound BF
Adjusted Ultrasound Backfat Thickness measured between the 12th and 13th ribs in
inches. BF Ratio is calculated within breed.
Ultrasound REA:
Adjusted Ultrasound Ribeye Area measured between the 12th and 13th ribs in sq.
inches. REA ratio is calculated within breed.
Ultrasound IMF:
Adjusted Ultrasound Percent Intramuscular Fat measured in the ribeye muscle. This
can predict marbling in the ribeye muscle, which determines USDA Quality Grade. IMF
Ratio is calculated within breed.
Final Index:
The final ratio within breed and test using an equal combination of ADG, WDA and EPD
values.
EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCES (EPD)
: The expected difference in performance of a bull's progeny when
compared to the average progeny performance of all bulls evaluated. EPD's are reported in pounds and are
directly comparable across all herds within a breed, but not across breeds. Several economically important
traits in beef cattle have EPD's. Traits include:
CALVING EASE DIRECT (CE): Predicts the ease with which a bull's calves are born to first calf heifers. EPD's for
calving ease are reported as deviations in the percent unassisted births. When comparing calving ease EPD of
two sires, the larger EPD indicates a higher percent of unassisted births for calves sired by this bull.
CALVING EASE DAUGHTERS (CEM): Maternal Calving Ease ‐ The ease with which a bull's daughters calve as
first calf heifers. EPD's for calving ease are reported as deviations in the percent unassisted births. When
comparing maternal calving ease of two sires, the larger EPD indicates a higher percent of unassisted births for
calves born out this sire's daughters.
BIRTH WEIGHT EPD (BW): Predicts the difference in average birth weight of a bull's calves compared to calves
of all other bulls evaluated. Compare the bull's EPD to the breed average to determine whether he is above or
below average for birth weight EPD for his breed. If the birth weight EPD is higher than breed average, he will
sire heavier calves at birth than the average bull calf born in 2016.
WEANING WEIGHT EPD (WW): Predicts the difference in average 205 day weight of a bull's calves compared
to calves of all other bulls evaluated. Compare the bull's EPD to the breed average to determine whether he is
above or below average for weaning weight EPD for his breed. If the weaning weight EPD is higher than breed
average, he will sire heavier calves at weaning than the average bull calf born in 2016.
Milk EPD: Maternal (Pure Milk) EPD predicts the difference (due to milking ability) in
average 205 day weight
of a bull's daughter's calves compared to calves of all other bulls evaluated.
YEARLING WEIGHT EPD (YW): Predicts the differences in average 365 day weight of a bull's progeny compared
to progeny of all other bulls evaluated. Compare the bull's EPD to the breed average to determine whether he
is above or below average for yearling weight EPD for his breed. If the yearling weight EPD is higher than breed
average, he will sire heavier calves at yearling than the average bull calf born in 2016.
