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How to Read the Sale Lot Information
Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is the estimate of how future progeny of
each sire are expected to perform in each of the traits listed. EPD is expressed in
pounds, either plus or minus. For example, when used on the same cows, calves
sired by a bull with a +50 weaning EPD should average 10 pounds more than those
sired by a bull with a +40 weaning EPD. We have calculated interim EPDs for
cattle that do not yet have official EPDs. EPDs are current as of catalog printing.
Updated EPDs can be viewed at
Information Evolution
You will notice that our presented animal information has evolved. This is a significant step for many students of data.
We realize that several producers rely on individual weights and ratios. Pertinent weights and ratios are still highlighted
in each footnote, however the sale bull information has been upgraded to an EPD only format. Our experience has proven
EPDs to be much more accurate and reliable for everyone - you the customer, the individual bull and us as the breeder.
One example of clarification would be a 92 lbs bull calf. Most would avoid him as a heifer bull, however when taking into
account age of his dam, the accuracies of his generational pedigree and his individual weight and ratio, the most accurate
predictor is his EPD. Of course if his dam is a three year old and he posts a +3.5 for BW EPD, he would be a one star
calving ease bull recommended for cow use only. However if the same bull was born to an eight year old cow and his
BW EPD was a +0.8, he would be recommended as a three star calving ease bull, recommended for larger framed heifers.
Consequently, the EPDs have evolved to be a more accurate prediction of progeny performance than individual performance.
According to the American Angus Association, Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are a beef cattle selection tool for
cow-calf and seedstock producers to rank or compare the relative genetic merit of animals. These tools are used to select
sires for economically important traits that will allow future progeny to meet the desired characteristics for the producer’s
breeding program. The EPDs are reported in the units of measure for the trait, such as pounds of birth, weaning, yearling
weights or carcass weight, or square inches of carcass ribeye area.
Unlike individual animal measures such as weights and ratios, EPDs can be compared across animals of different ages,
herds, management groups and areas of the country within the Angus breed. EPDs are the common language of the beef
industry to allow relative rankings comparisons of Angus seedstock for economically relevant traits.
EPDs provide a benchmark of genetic performance that is comparable across the American Angus Association database.
Where weights and measures vary by season and animal age, as well as breeder and management routines, EPDs are
genetic values with the environmental differences adjusted out. This allows comparison of EPDs breed wide.
EPDs incorporate varying sources of information on an individual animal and relatives, such as pedigree and the
Associations weights or measures database for the trait of interest. These values allow breeders to compare animals directly
against the breed population and chart their course for making genetic improvement. Updates are available weekly to
further characterize Angus genetics in a timely fashion.
Calving Ease Direct
(CED) EPD
is expressed in percentage of
unassisted births, predicting
the average difference in ease
with which a sire’s calves will
be born when he is bred to
first-calf heifers.
Birth (BW) EPD
is a predictor of progeny
birth weight attributed
to the parent.
Weaning (WW)
and
Yearling (YW) EPDS
are predictors of the animal’s
ability to transmit weaning
growth and yearling growth
to its progeny.
Milk EPD
is a predictor of
an animal’s genetic merit for
milk and mothering ability.
Scrotal Circumference
(SC) EPD,
expressed in cm.,
is a predictor of the difference
in transmitting ability for
scrotal size compared to that
of other sires.
Marbling (Marb) EPD
is expressed as a fraction
of the difference in USDA
marbling score of a sire’s
progeny compared to
progeny of other sires.
Ribeye Area (RE) EPD,
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 (Fat) EPD,
expressed in inches, is a
predictor of the differences
in external fat thickness
at the 12th rib of a sire’s
progeny compared to
progeny of other sires.
Calving Ease Rating (CE)
HHHH
Excellent calving ease, use with
confidence on any type of heifers.
HHH
Superior calving ease, should work with
most heifers and most situations.
HH
Moderate calving ease, most people will use
these bulls on cows, but they can be used
on heifers if calving ease is of less concern.
H
We recommend these bulls just for use on cows.
Index values are expressed in dollars per head
Weaned Calf Value ($W)
is the expected average
difference in future progeny performance for
preweaning merit and includes both revenue and
cost adjustments associated with differences in
birth weight, weaning direct growth,
maternal milk and mature cow size.
Feedlot Value ($F)
is the expected average difference
in future progeny performance for post-weaning merit
compared to progeny of other sires.
Grid Value ($G)
is the expected average difference
in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit
compared to progeny of other sires.
Beef Value ($B)
is the expected average difference
in future progeny performance for post-weaning and
carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.
1
STEVENSON ROUNDUP P809Y
Bull
17191221
birth date: 4/6/11
tattoo: P809Y
S A V Final Answer 0035#
HARB PENDLETON 765 J H
H A R B Black Lady 375 J H#
21AR ROUNDUP 7005
B C C BUSHWACKER 41-93#
21AR Blackbird Lady F645
21AR Blackbird Lady C645
BOYD ON TARGET 1083#
STEVENSON ON TARGET GS135
RIMROCK PRAIRIE QUEEN K3364#
STEVENSON ZELDA P901U
BASIN RAINMAKER 654X#
STEVENSON ZELDA J17J
STEVENSON ZELDA J5G
CED
+6
BW
+1.2
WW
+52
Milk
+20
YW
+80
SC
na
CE
HHHH
Marb
+.21
RE
+.76
Fat
+.034
$W
35.07
$F
20.27
$G
21.70
$B
61.55
