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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.
Active Sire
A bull that has had performance information reported on progeny born within
the last two years or progeny born to a daughter calving for the first time
at 33 months of age or less.
B - DB - HB - NDR
B = Black DB = Double Black HB = Homozygous Black
NDR = Non-Diluted Red
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.
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.
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.
D - P - H - S - HP
DP = Double Polled P = Polled H = Horned S = Scurred
HP = Homozygous Polled
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. |
