novaman":21riaozc said:
I was thinking the same thing when I started reading this thread. I cannot understand why there are so many people are so concerned about BW. There are so many things that affect BW that you can't judge ease of calving by the weight of the calf. This is why there is a calving ease EPD. This is why you look at the shape of the shoulders and head of bulls prior to buying them. Personally I love pulling calves on first calf heifers :roll:
Yes, a lot of things affect birth weight, but there is a lot of research showing the heavier calves are more likely to be problems than the lighter calves. Bull buyers are interested in actual birth weights, too.
Plus, we used the Angus BW EPD for a lot of years successfully as a calving ease indicator. So I wouldn't discount birth weight concerns.