ANSC 200 – EPD

April 28, 2019

An EPD stands for Expected Progeny Differences, it is the genetical value of an

animal as a parent with the expected differences between the average performance of

an individual’s future offspring and the average performance of all progeny within the

breed. EPD’s are calculated from birth, growth, maternal and carcass traits which are

reported in pounds. Birth includes; Calving Ease (CE) which predicts about the

percentage of unassisted births [the higher the better]. Growth includes; Weight (BW)

predicts calf size, Weaning Weight (WW) predicts pre-weaning growth potential and

Yearling Weight (YW) predicting post-weaning and overall growth potential up to 1 year

of age. Maternal includes Milk production predicts the maternal contribution to the

weaning weight of the calf. Carcass includes the prediction of testicular size, Scrotal

Circumference (SC). Prediction of weaning weight of calves from a bull’s daughter,

Total Maternal (TM). Ribeye Area (REA) predicts size while Intramuscular Fat predicts

the fat in the longissimus muscle (IMF). And finally, the 12 th-13th rib fat thickness is

predicted by the Fat Thickness (FT).

These EPD’s are calculated by using statistical equations and models. These

models use all the information known on that particular animal to be able to calculate its

EPD. Within this information there are a variety of records such as weight records,

ancestry, relatives, and progenies and many other performance data that can relate to

the animal of a certain interest are used in calculating its EPD. We can’t forget that all

these calculations also have to account for all the changes in the environment such as
nutrition, climate, locations etc. things that exists between herds. All these effects can

be estimated due to the use of artificial insemination considering that the same one bull

can be used in many herds all around our country.

Using EPD’s in a pure-bred cattle operation doesn’t have to be hat difficult, you

first have to know your goals and objectives when making purchases, for example when

buying semen. This is bringing a benefit to you and your farm because you are able to

select for those traits that are most beneficial and important to your operation. One thing

you have to question yourself is, will it be good or bad choice for my herd. In order for

you to be able to answer that you need the percentile breakdown charts. These charts

of your breed of choice help you look at the breed as a whole and determine where that

individual’s EPD sits within that certain breed. Overall it is very useful to be able to

comprehend where the bull ranks, which again is determines by that for breeding for

traits of interest. A genetic trend is something that had become popular and it is

referring to the improvement in genetics taken place overtime within that one breed

caused by the selection process. Over the course of time breeders have looked for

increased in all of the above such as milk production, growth etc.

In conclusion EPD’s allow farmers to have an opportunity in improving their own

herds by basically having the choice to compare and predict what type of animal they

want in order to be able to improve their own herd by size and/or production.

References

- https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/400/400-804/400-804.html

- EPD paper handed during class