Expected Progeny Differences Prediction of how future offspring from an animal will perform in a particular traits or traits as compared to the breed average; also known as EPD’s; dependent upon detailed records kept from previous offspring

Accuracy The _____________________ that can be placed on the EPD. Accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher _____________________. The reliability that can be placed on the EPD. Accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability. Do you think accuracy would decrease or increase as the number of calves sired by that bull and measured for particular traits increases? Why? It would increase because we know our average comes from a larger population. If you flip a coin six times and you get 5 heads and 1 tail is that as accurate a representation of the possibility of flipping either a heads or a tails as flipping it 100 times? No. So, it’s important when we look at EPD’s to see how accurate these estimates are.

Indicate the ____________ of herds from which daughters are reported. Indicate the number of herds from which daughters are reported. Why is it important how many herds a bull has been bred to? It increases the accuracy of our data.

Daus Reflects the_____________ of daughters that have progeny weaning weight records. Reflects the number of daughters that have progeny weaning weight records.

Birth Weight Predictor of a ______________ to transmit birth weight to his progeny, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in pounds. Predictor of a sire's ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in pounds. Why would we want to know the average birth weight of a bull’s calves? In smaller or first calf heifers, the bigger the calf the more liker the cow is to have calving problems.

Weaning Weight Predictor of a sire's ability to transmit ___________________ to his progeny, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in pounds. Predictor of a sire's ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in pounds. Why is weaning weight important? If a producer sells his calves at weaning he wants to know about how many pounds above or below the breed std. his calves will probably weigh. Remember, cattle producers are paid by the pound. Also, later on he can subtract his calves weaning weight from its yearling weight to determine its average daily gain. Why would a producer want to know how much his calves can gain daily?

Yearling Weight Predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling weight, compared to the progeny of an average sire for a specific breed; expressed in ___________. Predictor of a sire's ability to transmit yearling weight, compared to the progeny of an average sire for a specific breed; expressed in pounds. Why is this important? Producers want calves that can put on weight fast because the more they weigh the more they’ll get paid at the auction barn.

Maternal Milk Predictor of a sire's _____________________ for that part of weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability. It is compared to daughters of an average bull for a specific breed. Predictor of a sire's genetic merit for that part of weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability. It is compared to daughters of an average bull for a specific breed. Who would want this trait in a bull? Someone who would keep replacement heifers from that bull.

Scrotal Circumference Predictor of the difference in ____________________ for scrotal size, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in centimeters. Predictor of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size, compared to the progeny of an average bull for a specific breed; expressed in centimeters. Scrotal circumference is important because it has been shown to sometimes indicate how early a bulls daughters will reach puberty. Bulls with larger scrotal circumference have daughters that reach puberty earlier than those with smaller scrotal circumference. If a producer is breeding for replacement heifers, he wants them to have calves as soon as possible to keep his costs down.