3
GE-EPDs powered by HD 50K for Angus
Table 1. GE-EPDs powered by HD 50K for Angus — Impact on EPDs, accuracy values, associated progeny equivalents
and interpretation of percent ranks.
1
Zoetis. High-Density (HD) 50K MVPs—The beef industry’s first commercially available Molecular Value Predictions from a High-Density panel with more
than 50,000 markers.
Technical Summary
, New Jersey: Zoetis, 2010:1-11.
2
Correlation between HD 50K genomic predictions and performance, and associated percent explained genetic variation (GV). Genomic Update.
American Angus Association and Angus Genetics, Inc., 2013.
3
Data on file, Average accuracy of GE-EPDs powered by HD 50K based on verified pedigree and HD 50K information, Zoetis Inc.
4
Approximate progeny equivalents associated with accuracy of GE-EPDs powered by HD 50K based on verified pedigree and HD 50K information.
Progeny equivalents for carcass traits are actual progeny carcass records — equates to ultrasound scans from approximately 30 progeny.
NA (Not Available) designates that either an EPD is not available for the trait (RFI, Tend) or that HD 50K information for the trait is not yet directly
integrated into the EPD (CEM, MH).
Trait
Correlation (%GV)
for GE-EPDs
2
Average
accuracy
3
Progeny
equivalents
4
Percent rank interpretation
CED
.63 (40)
.32
22
Lower number, easier calving
BW
.66 (44)
.36
12
Lower number, lower BW
WW
.56 (31)
.29
19
Lower number, heavier WW
YW
.67 (45)
.33
23
Lower number, heavier YW
DMI (RADG)
.73 (53)
.36
17
Lower number, higher RADG
RFI
NA
NA
NA
Lower number, more efficient
YH
.73 (53)
.37
10
Lower number, taller YH
SC
.77 (59)
.40
13
Lower number, larger SC
Doc
.65 (42)
.29
9
Lower number, calmer Doc
HP
.49 (24)
.16
12
Lower number, higher HP
CEM
NA
NA
NA
Lower number, easier calving
Milk
.38 (14)
.20
15
Lower number, more milk
MW
.71 (50)
.36
14
Lower number, heavier MW
MH
NA
NA
NA
Lower number, taller MH
CW
.58 (34)
.21
6
Lower number, heavier CW
Marb
.66 (44)
.32
9
Lower number, more Marb
RE
.68 (46)
.29
11
Lower number, larger RE
Fat
.64 (41)
.31
12
Lower number, less fat
Tend
NA
NA
NA
Lower number, more tender
All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2014 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. GBF14023
Figure 1. Quarterly GE-EPDs powered by HD 50K for Angus tests by sex distributed by AGI.
Quarterly HD 50K Tests
Bulls
Females
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
2013 Q4
2013 Q3
2013 Q2
2013 Q1
2012 Q4
2012 Q3
2012 Q2
2012 Q1
2011 Q4
2011 Q3
2011 Q2
2011 Q1
Association Perspective Low-birth-weight EPDs
Looking at a single trait on EPDs costs performance and
money.
by
David Gazda,
regional manager,
American Angus Association
One of themost common concerns I hear fromcommercial
producers using Angus genetics is the size of calves at
birth. Instinctively, my first thought is that the producers
experienced calving problems due to the calves being
too large at birth. However, the problem generally tends
to be just the opposite, where the calves have been
extremely small and light at birth, struggled to nurse and
never caught up with their contemporaries from a growth
standpoint.
Upon visiting with the producer and reviewing the bull’s
registration certificate and EPD profile, I usually discover
a common theme - the producer had been selecting
primarily for cal ing-ease, low-birth-weight-EPD bulls with
noregardtoanyother traits. This iscertainlyunderstandable
if the producer is breeding heifers and needs a certain level
of calving ease delivered by low-birth-weight Angus bulls.
Furthermore, in the southeast, like many other areas of
the country where cow herds are relatively small, the herd
bull may have to be multipurpose, breeding both heifers
and mature cows with, again, emphasis being placed on
calving ease.
At the risk of being controversial, many of these small
calf scenarios could be eliminated if the producers would
simply be willing to accept more birth weight, particularly
when breeding mature cows. One only has to attend a
production or test station sale to witness firsthand how
the heavier-birth-weight-EPD bulls are penalized and
therefore sell at a substantial discount. Have calving-
ease and low-birth-weight EPDs been overemphasized to
commercial producers? Maybe; maybe not.
Regardless, the commercial producer equates Angus
genetics with calving ease, fertility, maternal strength
and carcass quality, and as seedstock producers we are
challenged daily to deliver those genetics.
In closing, producers need to select bulls that allow them
to reach their production goals; however, single-trait
selection based upon an individual’s birth weight EPDmay
needlessly sacrifice additional pounds at weaning. Next
time you are in the market for a bull, don’t discriminate
against a little more birth weight EPD. You will still receive
the calving ease you have always expected from Angus
and a few extra dollars in your pocket at weaning!
