Placings By Traits Muscle: Finish: Capacity: Structure: Balance: Official Placing: Cuts:

Question: which one would have best calves?

Question! EPD - ___________________; a predictor of future performance!

Expected Progeny Differences Cattle Selection Using Genetic Data Nick Nelson Blue Mountain Community College

Background EPD’s were started in the 1970’s and were established on all Beef Breeds of cattle by 1984 Before EPD’s, Cattlemen used “Herd Ratios” as a record keeping system on their cattle. Herd Ratio’s cannot be measured from one ranchers cattle to another ranchers cattle, because of differences in genetics, climate, and region.

EPD’s are the most accurate means of records that we have! Expected Progeny Differences are based on the “3 P’s” 1.Pedigree—The parents performance 2.Progeny—The offsprings performance 3.Performance—The individual’s performance Data is collected from all animals among the 3 P’s to make an EPD

The Gist of EPD’s Each breed has their own set of standards and breed averages You cannot compare data of a Hereford bull and data from a Angus Bull

The Gist of EPD’s Data can only be measured between animals in the same breed Artificial Insemination has assisted in the use of EPD’s, because sires are frequently used by many people and have thousands of offspring each year making genetic data very accurate.

Typical EPD’s Birth Weight—measured in pounds Weaning Weight—pounds Yearling Weight—pounds Milk—pounds Total Maternal—pounds (1/2 of WW + Milk) Stayability—years Gestation—days Intramuscular fat Rib Eye Area – size of the ribeye in square inches Backfat – amount of backfat in inches

Example The Red Angus Breed Average of all animals within the breed are: BWWWYWMilkTM You Decide to use a Red Angus bull with EPD’s of: BWWWYWMilkTM The EPD’s tell you that compared to the Breed Avg. your bull is going to have calves that are going to be 2.3 pounds heavier at birth ( ). Calves that are 8 pounds heavier at weaning, and 17 pounds heavier at Yrlg, and your bull should have daughters that produce 2 pounds less milk than the average

Selection Quiz BWWWYWMilk Bull A: Bull B: Which Bull will you choose for Heifers? Which Bull will you choose for growth?

Cattle Auction using EPD’s Students break into teams of two-Ranch Manager and the Ranch Owner Students will get a loan from the Instructor to buy bulls (Do not show your loan to someone else, they may outbid you!) Students will select bulls they want to buy based on the bulls phenotype (physical appearance) and genotype (genetic data) Each Bull will be given a dollar amount based on their performance and semen sales—Only one Jackpot bull and one loser bull

Question! What did you base your bull ranking on?

Bull #1 NYACK BWWWYWMilk Bull #2 LOGAN BWWWYWMilk

Bull #3 VAQUERO BWWWYWMilk Bull #4 DRIFTER BWWWYWMilk

Bull #5 GRAND CANYON BWWWYWMilk Bull #6 HIGH CAPACITY BWWWYWMilk

The Results Bull 1Generates $5000 for Ranch Bull 2Generates $10,500 for Ranch Bull 3Generates $2000 for Ranch Bull 4 Generates $3000 for Ranch Bull 5Generates $25,000 for Ranch Bull 6Generates $1000 for Ranch Calculate Loss or Gain dollars generated - dollars spent