AVERAGE BLACK EPDS FOR ALL CALVES BORN IN 2016 EPD
Birth Weight
Weaning Weight
Yearling Weight
Milk
Total Maternal
REA
Marb
Fat
Carcass Weight
+2.1
+45
+80
+21
+43
+0.69
+0.77
+0.015
+43
What do the numbers mean?
For most commercial cattlemen, there are really only four EPDs they need to look at: birth weight (BW); weaning weight (WW); yearling weight (YW); and milk. The others, with perhaps the exception of the carcass traits, are more useful for purbred breeders.
BIRTH WEIGHT - Calf weight at birth adjusted to a mature dam equivalent. Expected progeny differnce is reported in pounds. The larger the EPD indicates a heavier average birth weight
WEANING WEIGHT - Calf weight taken between 160 and 250 days of age and adjusted to 205 days of age and a mature dam equivalent. Expected progeny difference is reported in pounds. The larger EPD indicates a heavier average weaning weight for calves sired by that bull.
YEARLING WEIGHT - Weight taken between 330 and 440 days of age and adjusted 365 days of age and a mature dam equivelant. Expected progeny difference is reported in pounds. The larger EPD indicates a heavier average yearling weight for calves sired by that bull
MILK - The milk EPD is a predictor of a sires genetic merit for milk as expressed in his daughters, or in other words the part of weaning weight attributed to milk genes. The larger EPD indicates heavier average weaning weight due to daughters greater maternal ability.
CALVING EASE
Bulls have been rated (in our opinion) on calving ease ability * - recommended on cows ** - moderate birth *** - indicates calving ease elite
* * * CALVING EASE
Feeding Program
As in past years, our bulls have been grown out and never “pushed�. We appreciate the fact these young bulls have to last year after year at your place. The bulls were hand fed a bull ration consisting of high levels of protein and no barley. They were fed to achieve an average daily gain of 3 pounds. Free choice brome hay was also fed. The females were bale grazing from October 15 to December 1st with no added grain or pellets. They were then fed a rolled oat ration to achieve approximately 2lbs per day rate of gain.
CRESCENT CREEK ANGUS
Herd Health
The vaccination program consisted of Express 5 and blackleg shots. All breeding females & bulls will have had their pre-breeding Express 5 vaccine and blackleg booster prior to the sale. The cattle have had plenty of exercise in large pens, and are very free moving.
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