Definition of Terms for EPD's used in our catalog within the ANGUS Breed:
EPD (Expected Progeny Differences)- the most accurate and effective tools available to compare genetic levels of animals, while helping you predict how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in that particular breeds database.
Production EPD's:
CED (Calving Ease Direct)- a percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first calf heifers.
BW (Birth Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit BW to his progeny compared to other sires.
WW (Weaning Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit weaning growth into his progeny
YW (Yearling Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling growth into his progeny
CEM (Calving Ease Maternal)- expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first calf daughters.
Milk (Maternal Milk)- a predictor of a sire's genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of other sires.
Carcass EPD's:
CW (Carcass weight)-expressed in lbs as a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire's progeny compared to the progeny of other sires.
$ Value Indexes:
$B (Beef Value)-an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post- weaning and carcass value compared to the progeny of other sires.
Definition of Terms for EPD's used in our catalog within the Simmental Breed:
Birth Weight (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
Calving Ease (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on heifers.
Carcass Weight (CW): Pounds of carcass weight.
Maternal Calving Ease (MCE): Percent of unassisted births in first-calving daughters.
Milk (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
Weaning Weight (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
Yearling Weight (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
All-Purpose Index (API): Dollars per cow exposed under an all-purpose-sire scenario. (See below for more details.)
Terminal Index (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-sire scenario. (See below for more details.)
How to Utilize API and TI Indexes in the Simmental Breed:
First, determine which index to use; if you’re keeping replacements use API, if not, TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit difference between bulls. (As described above, index units are in dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another. Or, put another way, how much you can pay for one bull compared to another. For example, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, you can quickly figure a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a +50 bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr. = $6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed. For percentile rankings or more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes visit www.simmental.org.
Proper Care of your Herd Sire is ValueBULL
-When we purchase a bull, or purchase genetics, we hope that it is an investment that last's for several years. We should have high expectations of ourselves as we hope to get the most value out of these purchases.
-The greater # of animals your herd bull is able to sire decreases the investment made per calf born. This directly relates to the number of seasons he is able to run with the cows.
-One of the most important items when maintaining a herd sire is body condition. Over feeding and underfeeding can both cause decreased libido and cow coverage. A body condition score of 6 should provide us with the highest level of fertility and libido.
-Visual appraisal is always important, especially of the feet and testicles. Watch for over accumulation of fat in the scrotum, as this can affect the temperature of the testicles and the sperm.
-One of the most overlooked components of herd bull care is off-season management. Your bull's needs will vary by his body condition, age, or breed. Providing a diet that is adequate in protein, energy, and trace minerals in the off season is important for breeding longevity. Younger bulls often need more attention in the off season, just like our young heifers require additional nutrition for additional growth.
Source: (the VOICE - Maine Anjou - January/February - Volume 26 / Number 3)
EPD (Expected Progeny Differences)- the most accurate and effective tools available to compare genetic levels of animals, while helping you predict how future progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of other animals listed in that particular breeds database.
Production EPD's:
CED (Calving Ease Direct)- a percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first calf heifers.
BW (Birth Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit BW to his progeny compared to other sires.
WW (Weaning Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit weaning growth into his progeny
YW (Yearling Weight)- expressed in lbs, is a predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling growth into his progeny
CEM (Calving Ease Maternal)- expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first calf daughters.
Milk (Maternal Milk)- a predictor of a sire's genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of other sires.
Carcass EPD's:
CW (Carcass weight)-expressed in lbs as a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire's progeny compared to the progeny of other sires.
$ Value Indexes:
$B (Beef Value)-an index expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for post- weaning and carcass value compared to the progeny of other sires.
Definition of Terms for EPD's used in our catalog within the Simmental Breed:
Birth Weight (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
Calving Ease (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on heifers.
Carcass Weight (CW): Pounds of carcass weight.
Maternal Calving Ease (MCE): Percent of unassisted births in first-calving daughters.
Milk (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
Weaning Weight (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
Yearling Weight (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
All-Purpose Index (API): Dollars per cow exposed under an all-purpose-sire scenario. (See below for more details.)
Terminal Index (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-sire scenario. (See below for more details.)
How to Utilize API and TI Indexes in the Simmental Breed:
First, determine which index to use; if you’re keeping replacements use API, if not, TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit difference between bulls. (As described above, index units are in dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another. Or, put another way, how much you can pay for one bull compared to another. For example, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, you can quickly figure a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a +50 bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr. = $6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed. For percentile rankings or more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes visit www.simmental.org.
Proper Care of your Herd Sire is ValueBULL
-When we purchase a bull, or purchase genetics, we hope that it is an investment that last's for several years. We should have high expectations of ourselves as we hope to get the most value out of these purchases.
-The greater # of animals your herd bull is able to sire decreases the investment made per calf born. This directly relates to the number of seasons he is able to run with the cows.
-One of the most important items when maintaining a herd sire is body condition. Over feeding and underfeeding can both cause decreased libido and cow coverage. A body condition score of 6 should provide us with the highest level of fertility and libido.
-Visual appraisal is always important, especially of the feet and testicles. Watch for over accumulation of fat in the scrotum, as this can affect the temperature of the testicles and the sperm.
-One of the most overlooked components of herd bull care is off-season management. Your bull's needs will vary by his body condition, age, or breed. Providing a diet that is adequate in protein, energy, and trace minerals in the off season is important for breeding longevity. Younger bulls often need more attention in the off season, just like our young heifers require additional nutrition for additional growth.
Source: (the VOICE - Maine Anjou - January/February - Volume 26 / Number 3)