Accuracy (ACC)
A measure of certainty regarding the genetic merit of a bull. Accuracy values
are calculated for each evaluation according to Beef Improvement Federation (BIF)
Guidelines and reported as a decimal number between zero and one. Larger values
indicate greater accuracy.
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Birth Weight
Expected progeny performance is reported in pounds. The EPD value predicts the
difference in average birth eight of a bull's calves compared to calves of all
other bulls evaluated. A positive value (+) indicates heavier-than-average birth
weights while a negative value (-) indicates lighter-than-average birth weights.
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Calving Ease
Heifers (H)- The ease with which a bull's calves are born to first calf heifers.
A first-calf heifer is defined as a female calving for the first time at 33
months of age or less.
Cows (C)- The ease with which a bull's calves are born to mature cows. A cow is
defined as a female calving for a second or subsequent time.
Expected progeny differences are reported as deviations in the percent
unassisted births. When comparing calving ease EPDs of two sires, the larger EPD
indicates a higher percent of unassisted births for calves sired by this bull.
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Carcass Weight
The hot carcass weight of a bull's progeny. Expected progeny performance is
reported in pounds and adjusted to a slaughter age of 475 days. The EPD predicts
the difference in average carcass weight of a bull's progeny compared to progeny
of all other bulls evaluated. A positive value indicates heavier than average
carcass weights while a negative value (-) indicates high than average carcass
weights.
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D - P - H - S - HP
DP = Double Polled P = Polled H = Horned S = Scurred
HP = Homozygous Polled
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Expected Progeny Difference (EPD)
The expected difference in performance of a bull's progeny when compared to
average progeny performance of all bulls evaluated. Genetic Correlation
Correlations between two traits that arise because the same genes affect both
traits. When two traits are positively correlated (e.g., weaning and yearling
weight), selection for an increase in one trait will result in an increase in
the other trait. When two traits are negatively correlated (e.g. yearling weight
and first-calving ease), selection for an increase in one
trait will result in a decrease in the other trait.
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Heritability
The proportion of variation in a trait that is due to heredity and is
transmitted to offspring (i.e. additive gene action). Heritability varies from
zero to one. The higher the heritability of a trait, the more rapid should be
the response to selection.
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Marbling Score
A subjective evaluation of the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat.
Degree of marbling is evaluated in the ribeye muscle between the 12th and 13th
rib and is a major factor in determining USDA quality grade. Marbling scores
range for 1 (devoid) to 10 (abundant). Expected progeny performance is reported
in tenths of a marbling score and adjusted to a slaughter age of 475 days. The
EPD value predicts the difference in average marbling score of a bull's progeny
compared to progeny of all other evaluated bulls. A positive value indicates
higher then average marbling scores while a negative value (-) indicates lower
than average marbling scores.
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Maternal Calving Ease
Heifers (H) - The ease with which a sire's daughters calve as first-calf
heifers. A first-calf heifer is defined as a female calving for the first time
at 33 months of age or less.
Cows (C) - The ease with which a sire's daughters calve as mature cows. A cow is
defined as a female calving for a second or subsequent time. Expected progeny
differences are reported as deviations in the percent unassisted births. When
comparing maternal calving ease EPDs of two sires, the larger EPD indicates a
higher percent of unassisted births for calves born out of this sire's
daughters.
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Maternal Milk
The milking ability of a bull's daughters calves. Expected progeny performance
is expressed in pounds of calving weaning weight. The EPD value predicts the
difference (due to milking ability) in average 205-day weight of a bull's
daughters' calves compared to calves of all other bulls evaluated. Positive
values (+) indicate above-average milking ability of daughters while negative
(-) values indicate below-average milking ability.
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Maternal Weaning Weight
The weaning weight of a bull's daughters' calves. Expected progeny performance
is reported in pounds. The EPD value predicts the difference in average 205-day
weight of bull's daughters' calves compared from daughters of all other bulls
evaluated. The evaluation reflects both the milking ability of the bull's
daughters and the growth potential of their calves. A positive value (+)
indicates heavier-than-average weaning weights while a negative value (-)
indicates lighter-than-average weaning weights.
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Percent Retail Cuts
An estimate of the yield of closely trimmed, boneless retail cuts from the
round, loin, rib, and the chuck. Expected progeny performance is reported in
percent and adjusted to a slaughter age of 475 days. The EPD predicts the
difference in average carcass cutability with values greater then zero
indicating higher than average percentage yield in retail cuts while a negative
(-) value indicates less than average percentage yield in retail cuts.
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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 performance is reported in
pounds. The EPD value predicts the difference in average 205-day weight of a
bull's calves compared to calves of all other bulls evaluated. A positive value
(+) indicates heavier-than-average weaning weights while a negative value (-)
indicates lighter-than-average weaning weights.
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Yearling Weight
Weight taken between 330 and 440 days of age and adjusted to 365 days of age and
a mature dam equivalent. Expected progeny performance is reported in pounds. EPD
value predicts the difference in average 365-day weight of a bull's progeny
compared to progeny of all other bulls evaluated. A positive value (+) indicates
heavier-than-average yearling weights while a negative value (-) indicates
lighter-than-average yearling weights.
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