Marbling — Calves from Bull A should have a . 3 higher marbling score. Marbling scores range from 1.0, which is devoid of marbling and a utility quality grade to 10.9, which is abundant marbling and a prime + quality grade.
What is an average EPD?
An average EPD is one which declares average results covering more than one product and/or manufacturing site. In order for different products to be declared in the same average EPD, they need to: Perform the same or similar function. Have the same or similar manufacturing processes (technology and raw materials)
What is the most important EPD trait?
Birth Weight
EPD Traits
All of the breed associations that have EPD report four traits: Birth Weight — in pounds at birth, excluding maternal influence. Birth weight is the most important factor in Direct Calving Ease (see below).
What is a good weaning weight EPD?
We believe the range for an ideal commercial cow is 1050-1250 lbs. She should wean 45-65 percent of her body weight while breeding back in a timely manner every year. This range takes into account year to year differences in feed availability, age of cow, and differences between ranches.
How do I read EPD numbers?
EPDs are measured in units of traits, such as pounds. For example, a bull with a +70 weaning weight (WW) EPD compared to a bull with a +60 WW EPD is expected to produce calves 10 pounds heavier if mated to the same group of cows and managed under the same conditions.
What is a good EPD for a heifer bull?
If the bulls used on first-calf heifers have averaged a +6 for the CED EPD for several years and you have yet to pull a calf, then a +6 CED bull is a safe option.
Which cattle EPD is most important?
MATERNAL TRAITS
The two important maternal EPD traits I look at are 1) Maternal Calving Ease and 2) Milk.
What is a good milk EPD number?
Most of your older bulls will be the ones with the lower numbers, but I would say that in many environments a +14 milk epd in an angus cow may be ideal.
What is a high milk EPD?
These results indicate that High Milk EPD bulls sire cows that produce more milk and wean heavier calves than cows sired by Low Milk EPD bulls, but may do so at the expense of body condition and reproductive efficiency. Dr.
How accurate is an EPD?
EPDs have been estimated to be over seven times more reliable than adjusted weight records, ratios, and visual appraisal. Even on young bulls with relatively low accuracy values, EPDs are our most objective indicator of the animal’s genetic merit.
How do you read EPD in cattle?
Expected progeny differences (EPDs) have been applied to improve the genetics of beef cattle for almost four decades. Expected progeny differences are predictions of the genetic transmitting ability of a parent to its offspring and are used to make selection decisions for traits desired in the herd.
How much does a 4 month old beef calf weigh?
How Much Does A Calf Weigh?
| Age | Jersey (lbs.) | Holstein (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 155-177 | 211-234 |
| 4 months | 183-217 | 258-284 |
| 5 months | 233-278 | 311-339 |
| 6 months | 259-321 | 369-422 |
What is considered the optimal frame score range for beef cattle?
The generally preferred range for carcass weights of 650 to 850 pounds suggests the need to produce feeder cattle with a 5 to 7 range in frame scores. The current USDA feeder cattle grading system is based on the factors of frame size and muscle thickness.
What is EPD and why is it important?
An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is a verified and registered document that communicates transparent and comparable information about the life-cycle environmental impact of products.
What does an EPD show?
EPD stands for Environmental Product Declaration. An EPD is a document in which you can find data about the environmental impact of a certain building material. This data is presented in a standardized way, which makes it a lot easier to compare different materials.
What is a Type 3 EPD?
Product Specific Type III EPD (Third-Party Reviewed)
This is the most thorough type of EPD, which covers a single product from a manufacturer and is reviewed by a third-party entity. It also conforms to ISO 14025 and either EN 15804 or ISO 21930.
What EPD predicts?
“EPD” is an acronym for the term “Expected Progeny Difference”. It is a prediction of the difference between the average performance of future progeny of an animal and the average performance of a theoretical reference animal (an animal with an EPD of zero).
What is considered a low birth weight calf?
(opens in new window)Calf’s birth weight
18 to . 40, significant; less than . 18, nonsignificant. Birth weight of the calf was the trait most highly correlated with calving difficulty, followed by sex of calf.
How do you pick a good bull heifer?
The major selection criteria for bulls to use on heifers should be birth weight EPD. The use of proven sires through AI will further enhance calving ease. Finally, genetics are available that will produce acceptable birth weight/calving ease, while maintaining above average growth potential.
Which EPD is the best indicator of the calving ease of a bull when bred to heifers?
birth weight EPDs
“When we use birth weight EPDs, that’s a good indirect measurement of calving ease. The biggest indicator of direct calving ease is birth weight,” Bertrand points out.
What are the milk quality parameters?
Good-quality raw milk has to be free of debris and sediment; free of off-flavours and abnormal colour and odour; low in bacterial count; free of chemicals (e.g., antibiotics, detergents); and of normal composition and acidity. The quality of raw milk is the primary factor determining the quality of milk products.