At Premier Angus Genetics, we use DNA testing to enhance EPD’s to help us select the right AI Bulls, Donor Cows, and Replacement Heifers for our Registered Angus Cattle operation in North Alabama. We provide the same selection tool information to our customers to help them select the right cattle for their individual environment. Understanding EPD’s seems overwhelming to some. However, if you take the time to learn them, you will be able to make much more informed decisions for your cattle operation. Expected Progeny Differences (EPD’s) allow us to better understand what cattle are capable of doing from a genetics perspective. External looks don’t always tell the whole story. In today’s cattle business, it is extremely important to know as much as possible about the cattle you purchase. DNA testing has allowed cattle producers to select their cattle based on the traits of economic importance to their individual operation. If you are not familiar with EPD’s, study the following explanations on how each EPD is used, or refer to NCBA’s recent webinar, “Fake News-EPD’s don’t work“. This webinar explains in great detail the reasons we use EPD’s for cattle selection.
Production EPDs
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.
*Experience has shown that an Angus Bull with a CED EPD of +6 or higher and a BWEPD of +2.5 or less can be used on first-calf heifers with a minimal number of calving problems.*
If you do not have heifers to breed and just need a bull for cows that have calved before, most Angus bulls are acceptable for use on mature cows from a birth weight standpoint.
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.
Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG), expressed in pounds per day, is a predictor of a sire’s genetic ability for postweaning gain in future progeny compared to that of other sires, given a constant amount of feed consumed.
Dry Matter Intake (DMI), expressed in pounds per day, is a predictor of difference transmitting ability for feed intake during the postweaning phase, 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.
Docility (Doc), is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. In herds where temperament problems are not an issue, this expected difference would not be realized.
Maternal EPDs
Heifer Pregnancy (HP), is a selection tool to increase the probability or chance of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant as first-calf heifers during a normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction and the EPD is reported in percentage units.
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.
Herds (MkH) indicate the number of herds from which daughters are reported.
Daughters (MkD) reflects the number of daughters that have progeny weaning weight records included in the analysis.
Mature Weight EPD (MW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the difference in mature weight of daughters of a sire compared to the daughters of other sires.
Mature Height EPD (MH),expressed in inches, is a predictor of the difference in mature height of a sire’s daughters compared to daughters of other sires.
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 EPD’s
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 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.
Group/progeny (C Grp/ Pg and U Grp/Pg) reflects the number of contemporary groups and the number of carcass and ultrasound progeny included in the analysis.
$ Value Indexes
$Value indexes are multi-trait selection indexes, expressed in dollars per head, to assist beef producers by adding simplicity to genetic selection decisions. The $Value is an estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform, on average, compared to progeny of other sires in the database if the sires were randomly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same environment. More Info
Weaned Calf Value ($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.
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 postweaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.
WHERE TO FIND US
We market through Registered Angus Cattle sales, via the internet, and directly off our farm in Phil Campbell, Alabama. We also welcome international customers for embryo sales. Contact us for more information.
BULL GUARANTEE
Our bulls will sell with our “first breeding season” guarantee. We do everything within reason to stand behind them. As always, our bulls will have a complete Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) by our veterinarian. This includes an anatomical examination and tests for semen quantity and quality.
FREE SHIPPING
We offer free shipping in the Continental United States for our Registered Angus cattle from our embryo transplant program. We also offer free shipping in Alabama and surrounding states for our AI bred and natural service cattle. If your farm or ranch is outside this area, we will help you make arrangements to get your Premier Angus Genetics cattle home.
