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Animal names that you see in the results of a search display the animal's registration number in parentheses at the end of the name. You may also see animals have codes listed in curly brackets {} between the animal name and registration number. These codes represent either awards the animal has received or genetic abnormalities the animals is known to be tested free of or a carrier of. Currently used codes are listed below:
DOD
= Dams of Distinction Award
SOD = Sire of Distinction Award
CHB = CHB Sire Award
HYF = Hypotrichosis Free
HYC = Hypotrichosis Carrier
DLF = Dilutor Free
DLC = Dilutor Carrier
IEF = Idiopathic Epilepsy Free
IEC = Idiopathic Epilepsy Carrier
MSUDF = Maple Syrup Urine Disease Free
MSUDC = Maple Syrup Urine Disease Carrier
MDF = Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Free
MDC = Mandibulofacial Dysostosis Carrier
EPD’s are an estimate of an animal's genetic worth for that particular trait. An EPD is expressed in the units of measure for that trait. EPD’s are based on a combination of performance information from an animal's pedigree, individual and progeny performance. EPD’s can be used to predict one animal's progeny performance compared to another's progeny. EPD’s can also be used to compare the genetic worth of one animal to the overall Hereford population average and distribution. Each calculated EPD has an associated accuracy value.
An accuracy value calculated by the genetic analysis is a number between 0 and 1. Accuracy is a relative indicator of the confidence you can place in that particular EPD. The closer an accuracy is to one, the more reliable is the estimate.
Accuracy ranges from 0-99% and indicates the probability of an EPD changing with the addition of more progeny data. The magnitude of possible change decreases as accuracy increases. Accuracy below 75% should be regarded as low, between 76-90% as medium and above 90% as high.
An EPD with an accuracy of "P" is "Pedigree Estimate" and is simply the exact average of that animal's parents.
Accuracy is based on the amount of performance information available on the animal and its close relatives - particularly the number of progeny analyzed. Accuracy is also based on the heritability of the trait and the genetic correlations with other recorded traits. Hence accuracy indicates the "confidence level" of the EPD.
Regn. No: The Association Registration Number of the animal.
Name: The registered name of the animal.
Calving
Ease – Direct (CE) :
CE EPD is based on calving ease scores and birth weights and is measured on a
percentage. CE EPD indicates the influence of the sire on calving ease in
females calving at 2 years of age. For example, if sire A has a CE EPD of 6 and
sire B has a CE EPD of -2, then you would expect on average if comparably
mated, sire A’s calves would be born with an 8% more likely chance of being
unassisted when compared to sire B’s calves.
Birth
Weight (BW) :
BW EPD is an indicator trait for calving ease and is
measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a BW EPD of 3.6 and sire B has a
BW EPD of 0.6, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s
calves would come 3 lb. heavier at birth when compared to sire B’s calves.
Larger BW EPDs usually, but not always, indicate more calving difficulty. The
figure in parentheses found after each EPD is an accuracy value or reliability
of the EPD.
Weaning
Weight (WW) :
WW EPD is an estimate of pre-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For
example, if sire A has a WW EPD of 60 and sire B has a WW EPD of 40, then you
would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 20 lb.
heavier at weaning when compared to sire B’s calves.
Yearling
Weight (YW) :
YW EPD is an estimate of post-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For
example, if sire A has a YW EPD of 100 and sire B has a YW EPD of 70, then you
would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 30 lb.
heavier at a year of age when compared to sire B’s calves.
Dry
Matter Intake (DMI) :
The Dry Matter Intake EPD predicts the daily consumption of pounds of feed. For
example, if sire A has a DMI EPD of 1.1 and sire B has a DMI EPD of 0.1, you
would expect sire B’s progeny, if comparably mated, to consume on average 1
pound of feed less per day.
Scrotal
Circumference (SC) :
Measured in centimeters and adjusted to 365 days of age, SC EPD is the best
estimate of fertility. It is related to the bull’s own semen quantity and
quality and is also associated with age at puberty of sons and daughters.
Larger SC EPDs suggest younger age at puberty. Yearling sons of a sire with a
.7 SC EPD should have yearling scrotal circumference measurements that average
0.7 centimeters (cm) larger than progeny by a bull with an EPD of 0.0 cm. In
the Hereford genetic analysis, a multiple-trait model was used for scrotal
circumference. Weaning weight was used as a predictor variable to increase the
prediction accuracy of SC EPDs. Therefore, an animal with a weaning weight EPD
should also have a SC EPD.
Sustained
Cow Fertility (SCF) :
The Sustained Cow Fertility EPD (SCF) is a prediction of a cow’s ability to
continue to calve from three years of age through twelve years of age, given
she calved as a two-year-old. The EPD is expressed as a deviation in the
proportion of the ten-possible calving’s to twelve years old expressed as a
probability. For example, the daughters of a bull with a 30 EPD would have the
genetic potential to have one more calf by age twelve then the daughters from a
bull with a 20 EPD. In other words, the daughters from the 30 EPD bull would
have a 10% greater probability of having one more calf than the bull with a 20
EPD. This is equivalent to saying that the daughters are 10% more likely to
remain in the herd to age 12.
Maternal
Milk (MM) :
The milking ability of a sire’s daughters is expressed in pounds of calf
weaned. It predicts the difference in average weaning weights of sires’
daughters’ progeny due to milking ability. Daughters of the sire with a +14 MM
EPD should produce progeny with 205-day weights averaging 24 lb. more (as a result
of greater milk production) than daughters of a bull with a MM EPD of -10 lb.
(14 minus -10.0 = 24 lb.). This difference in weaning weight is due to total
milk production during the entire lactation.
Maternal
Milk & Growth (MG) :
Maternal Milk & Growth reflects what the sire is
expected to transmit to his daughters for a combination of growth genetics
through weaning and genetics for milking ability. It is an estimate of
daughters’ progeny weaning weight. A bull with a 29 lb. M&G EPD should sire
daughters with progeny weaning weights averaging 19 lb. heavier than progeny of
a bull’s daughters with a M&G EPD of 10 lb. (29 minus 10 = 19 lb.). It is
equal to one-half the sire’s weaning weight EPD, plus all of his MM EPD. No
accuracy is associated with this since it is simply a mathematical combination
of two other EPDs. It is sometimes referred to as “total maternal” or “combined
maternal.”
Maternal
Calving Ease (MCE) :
MCE EPD predicts how easily a sires daughters will calve at
2 years of age and is measured on a percentage. For example, if sire A has a
MCE EPD of 7 and sire B has a CE EPD of -3, then you would expect on average if
comparably mated, sire A’s daughters would calve with a 10% more likely chance
of being unassisted when compared to sire B’s daughters.
Mature
Cow Weight (MCW) :
The MCW EPD was designed to help breeders select sires that
will either increase or decrease mature size of cows in the herd. The trait was
developed after years of cow weight data collection and the EPD relates
directly to the maintenance requirements of a cow herd. An example of how the
MCW EPD allows breeders to compare sires: If sire A has a MCW EPD of 100 and
sire B has an EPD of 85, then you would expect the females of sire A, if mated
to similar cows, to be 15 lb. heavier at mature size.
Udder Suspension (UDDR) :
Scores range from 9 (very tight) to 1 (very pendulous) and represent
assessments of udder support. Weak udder suspension results in pendulous udders
that make it difficult for a calf to nurse. Weak suspension in the udder
indicates a lack of support in the ligament that ties the udder to the cow’s
body wall. Over time, weakness in this ligament will allow the udder to hang
down too far from the body and may subject the udder to serious problems and
increased potential for injury.
UDDR
EPDs are reported on the scoring scale. Differences in sire EPDs predict the
difference expected in the sires’ daughters’ udder characteristics when managed
in the same environment. For example, if sire A has a UDDR EPD of 0.4, and sire
B has a UDDR EPD of -0.1, the difference in the values is 0.5, or one-half of a
score. If daughters of sires A and B are raised and managed in the same
environment, you would expect half a score better udder suspension in daughters
of sire A, compared to sire B.
Teat Size (TEAT) :
Scores range from 9 (very small) to 1 (very large, balloon shaped) and are
subjective assessments of the teat length and circumference. Oversized teats
are difficult for newborn calves to nurse, and the calf may not receive
adequate colostrum. This could lead to a higher incidence of scours or
decreased immunity levels in the newborn calf.
TEAT EPDs are reported on the scoring scale. Differences in sire EPDs predict the difference expected in the sires’ daughters’ udder characteristics when managed in the same environment. For example, if sire A has a teat size EPD of 0.4, and sire B has a teat size EPD of -0.1, the difference in the values is 0.5, or one-half of a score. If daughters of sires A and B are raised and managed in the same environment, you would expect half a score smaller teat size in daughters of sire A, compared to sire B.
Carcass
Weight (CW) :
Carcass weight is a beneficial trait when considering the impact that pounds
have relative to end product value. At the same age constant endpoint, sires
with higher values for carcass weight will add more pounds of hot carcass
weight compared to sires with lower values for carcass weight. For example, if
sire A has a CW EPD of 84 and sire B has a CW EPD 64, then you would expect the
progeny of sire A, if harvested at the same age constant endpoint, to have a
20-lb. advantage in terms of hot carcass weight.
Rib
Fat (FAT) :
The FAT EPD reflects differences in adjusted 365-day, 12th-rib fat thickness
based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with low, or negative
FAT EPDs are expected to produce leaner progeny than sires with higher EPDs.
Ultrasound measures are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown
to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is
expressed on a carcass scale.
Ribeye
Area (REA) :
REA EPDs reflect differences in an adjusted 365-day ribeye area measurement
based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with relatively higher
REA EPDs are expected to produce better-muscled and higher percentage yielding
slaughter progeny than will sires with lower REA EPDs. Ultrasound measurements
are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly
correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on
a carcass scale.
Marbling
(MARB) :
MARB EPDs reflect differences in an
adjusted 365-day marbling score (intramuscular fat, [IMF]) based on carcass
measurements of harvested cattle. Breeding cattle with higher MARB EPDs should
produce slaughter progeny with a higher degree of IMF and therefore higher
quality grades. Ultrasound measurements are also incorporated into this trait
and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter
progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.
Genomic
Enhanced EPDs (GE-EPD)
The American Hereford Association (AHA) has embraced the use of genomics into
their genetic evaluation by launching a first of its kind single step analysis
that utilizes the marker effects of specific traits. Likewise, AHA is directly
estimating accuracy values rather than approximating. The direct estimation of
accuracy results in a more conservative value but a more accurate value than
previous methodologies. The AHA is producing the most reliable genetic
evaluation that is supported by Whole Herd TPR™ and genomics, which will give
prospective buyers added confidence in purchasing young and unproven animals.
Buying animals that have a genomic profile incorporated into their Expected
Progeny Difference (EPD) offers many advantages that allow for quicker breed
and herd improvement. Below is a table showing the average increase in accuracy
when buying a young animal with a Genomic Enhanced EPD (GE-EPD) versus an
animal without a GE-EPD. Similarly, an effective progeny number increase is
listed by trait that shows how many progeny equate to a genomic enhancement of
a young animal (e.g. yearling). That’s right, buying a young animal that has
been genotyped is like having 2-17 progeny, depending on the trait. The proof
gained on young, non-parent animals, through a genomic enhancement is valuable
and greatly mitigates the risk and allows for more directed selection.
Each
animal tested is recognized with the AHA GE-EPD logo.
Profit
indexes are not silver bullets! The four indexes which have been formulated by
the AHA are to be used to assist Hereford breeders in using the genetic
evaluations to potentially improve profitability for commercial producers.
These indexes have been designed using multiple traits. These indexes are
formulated on general representations of beef production systems used in the
U.S. and consider a group of economically relevant traits that characterize those
systems. Relative economic values for this group of traits are paired up with
the EPD to produce a $ index value. The difference in the $ value of the index
predicts the difference in profit. Each of the indexes utilizes crossbreeding
to capture the value of heterosis. The indexes also include cost of production
for all phases of production (cow-calf, feedlot and harvest). The income is
derived at the carcass endpoint based on quality, weight and grade and yield.
The economic values are based on past values with some forecast for what
economists believe the future holds. The economic values assigned to each trait
can be changed at any time that it looks to be necessary.
BMI Index
The Baldy Maternal Index is a maternally focused index that is based on a
production system that uses Hereford x Angus cross cows. Progeny of these cows
are directed towards Certified Hereford Beef. This index has significant weight
on Sustained Cow Fertility, which predicts fertility and longevity of females.
There is a slightly positive weight on Weaning Weight, Mature Cow Weight and
Milk which accounts for enough growth but ensures females do not increase
inputs. There is some negative emphasis on Dry Matter Intake, but a positive
weighting on Carcass Weight which is anticipated to provide profitability from
finishing of non-replacement females and castrated males. Marbling and Rib-eye
Area are also positively weighted to keep the harvested progeny successful for
CHB. This index is geared to identify Hereford bulls that will be profitable
when used in a rotational cross with mature commercial Angus cows.
BII Index
The Brahman Influence Index is a maternally focused index that is based on a
production system that uses Brahman x Hereford cross cows. Progeny of these
cows are directed towards a commodity beef market since Certified Hereford Beef
does not accept Brahman influenced cattle. This index has significant weight on
Sustained Cow Fertility, which predicts fertility and longevity of females.
There is a slightly positive weight on Weaning Weight, Mature Cow Weight and
Milk which accounts for enough growth but ensures females do not increase
inputs. There is some negative emphasis on Dry Matter Intake, but a positive
weighting on Carcass Weight which is anticipated to provide profitability in
finishing non-replacement females and castrated males. Marbling and Rib-eye
Area are also positively weighted to keep harvested progeny successful for a
variety of commodity based programs. This index targets producers that use
Hereford bulls on Brahman influenced cows.
CHB Index
The Certified Hereford Beef Index is a terminal sire index that is built on a
production system where Hereford bulls are mated to mature commercial Angus
cows and all progeny will be targeted for Certified Hereford Beef after the
finishing phase. This index has significant weight on Carcass Weight to ensure
profit on the rail. As well there is a positive weighting for Average Daily
Gain along with a negative weighting on Dry Matter Intake to ensure efficient
pounds of growth in the finishing phase. Keep in mind, this production system
takes advantage of complimentary breeding with the commercial Angus cow.
Although Marbling is weighted positively in this index, a positive weighting
for Rib-eye Area and a negative weighting for Back Fat are a greater priority
in this index to allow for optimum end-product merit. This is the only index
that has no emphasis on fertility. Remember that no replacement heifers are
being retained.
When you see the following displayed below the EPD table in your search results:
Statistics: BW: 72/306, WW: 70/287, YW: 33/116, SC: 6/35, Dgt: 32, Fat: 34, REA: 15, MARB: 3
Here is what it means:
|
BW: 72/306 - |
"72" is the number of herds in which progeny were raised with recorded birth weight measurements. This includes herd counts from AHA & CHA. Number of herds gives a general indication of progeny distribution for each of the traits. "306"
is the number of progeny out of the animal with recorded measurements for
each specific trait. This includes the progeny counts from AHA &
CHA. Number of progeny should not be used in lieu of accuracy, but
simply to further clarify accuracy values. |
|
Dgt: 32 - |
The number of
daughters sired by the bull which have produced progeny with weaning weight
records. This includes the daughter counts from AHA & CHA.
Number of daughters should not be used in lieu of accuracy, but simply to
further clarify Maternal Milk and Maternal Milk & Growth accuracy values. |
|
REA: 15 - |
The number of
scan progeny recorded for each of the carcass traits. |
These statistics are calculated at the time of each genetic analysis. Therefore, they will only be updated when new EPD results are reported.