the biggest flaw in the EPD system is that people in the search for 'the one' apply a population genetics tool to an individual, whether parent or progeny. EPD is the predictor of performance, trait etc, individual performance is the result of parents, environment and management.
On the DOC epd, the biggest flaw for me is that it is subjective measurement, one persons 'flighty' is another's 'moderate' is another's 'loony tunes'. We evaluate docility the first time the calves go through the chute to be worked, usually when we're giving pre-weaning shots, and look at their behavior as they are weighed before going into the chute, then how they act in the chute prior to shots, then as they exit. Any bull calf that exhibits wild behavior becomes a steer there and then, any heifer is likewise culled. The other time we evaluate cattle for disposition is calving season, any cow that is more concerned about running me over rather then minding her calf gets an instant ticket to town at weaning time.
On the DOC epd, the biggest flaw for me is that it is subjective measurement, one persons 'flighty' is another's 'moderate' is another's 'loony tunes'. We evaluate docility the first time the calves go through the chute to be worked, usually when we're giving pre-weaning shots, and look at their behavior as they are weighed before going into the chute, then how they act in the chute prior to shots, then as they exit. Any bull calf that exhibits wild behavior becomes a steer there and then, any heifer is likewise culled. The other time we evaluate cattle for disposition is calving season, any cow that is more concerned about running me over rather then minding her calf gets an instant ticket to town at weaning time.
