AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION SELECTION TOOLS

We’re committed to “Driving the science of better breeding” by providing you with the American Angus Association selection tools but we’re doing so with more reliability and predictability through genomically enhanced EPDs.

Calving Ease Direct (CED) is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-calf heifers. It predicts the average difference in ease with which a sire’s calves will be born when he is bred to first-calf heifers.

Birth Weight EPD (BW) expressed in pounds, is a predicator of a sire’s ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny compared to that of other sires.

Weaning Weight EPD (WW) expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny compared to that of other sires. For example, you can expect progeny from a sire with a 60 WW EPD to weigh 20 lbs heavier on average at weaning than progeny from a sire with a 40 WW EPD.

Yearling Weight EPD (YW) expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny compared to that of other sires.

Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC) expressed in centimeters, is a predictor of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to that of other sires.

Docility (DOC) expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. In herds where temperament problems are not an issue, this expected difference would not be realized.

Heifer Pregnancy (HP) is a selection tool to increase the probability or chance of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant as first-calf heifers during a normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction and the EPD is reported in percentage units.

Maternal Milk EPD (Milk) is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters as compared to daughters of other sires. In other words, it is that part of a calf’s weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability.

Carcass Weight EPD (CW) expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the difference in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Marbling EPD (Marb) expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA marbling score of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Ribeye Area EPD (RE) expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the difference in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

AMERICAN BREED AVERAGE FOR NON-PARENT BULLS:

Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) an index, expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences from conception to weaning with the underlying breeding objective assuming that individuals retain their own replacement females within herd and sell the rest of the cull female and all male progeny as feeder calves. The model assumes commercial producers will replace 25% of their breeding females in the first generation and 20% of their breeding females in each subsequent generation. Traits included are as follows: calving ease direct, calving ease maternal, weaning weight, milk, heifer pregnancy, docility, mature cow weight, claw set and foot angle.

Weaned Calf Value ($W) an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for preweaning merit. $W includes both revenue and cost adjustments associated with differences in birth weight, weaning direct growth, maternal milk and mature cow size.

Feedlot Value ($F) an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning merit compared to progeny of other sires.

Grid Value ($G) an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires.

Beef Value ($B) an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.

Combined Value ($C) an index, expressed in dollars per head, which includes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) and Beef Value ($B) with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the producers retain ownership of those cattle and sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid. Expected progeny differences (EPDs) directly influencing a combined index: calving ease direct (CED) and maternal (CEM), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), maternal milk (Milk), heifer pregnancy (HP), docility (DOC), mature cow weight (MW), foot angle (Angle), claw set (Claw), dry matter intake (DMI), marbling (Marb), carcass weight (CW), ribeye area (RE) and fat thickness (Fat).

All lots with the above designation offer you TWO IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES:

#1

They have been parent verified to ensure pedigree accuracy. You can place 100% confidence that the genetics you’re purchasing are accurately represented.

#2

Genomic test results have already been factored into their individual EPDs providing you with higher accuracy EPDs that are the equivalent of that individual already having produced and recorded 8-33 calves depending on the trait measured. For commercial and seedstock producers that’s valuable insight for more accurate selection, easier identification of genetic outliers and more reliability and predictability for genetic progress.

The following table provides you the progeny equivalent for some of the traits measured through genomic testing resulting in higher accuracy EPDs.

AMERICAN BREED AVERAGE FOR NON-PARENT COWS:

Balance Is The Key To Success

ost of us are developing our own replacement females and selling feeder cattle after we feed them our home raised forages.

We are asking the Angus bulls we buy to “do it all”. With proper genetic selection, they can do it all, from calving-ease predictability to sale day pounds to carcass merit to maternal function.

Beware of marketing schemes that want you to select bulls that are extreme in their EPD’s, from a rare “limited semen” sire or have extreme phenotype. Breeding for balance and predictability is the most difficult task that seedstock breeders can achieve yet they are the most economically important to commercial cattlemen.

Keep your herd in balance with Vision Angus genetics! Tipping the scale in one direction will sacrifice traits in the other direction. Our approach to breeding cattle will always be to balance selection traits important to our customers without chasing extremes or fads. Our success and our customers’ success hinges on the balance of real-world production traits.