DOC HARRIS
Well-known member
On the 'Topics' front page of CT currently there is an article titled "Red Angus Association Adds New Carcass EPD's For Profitability." Aside from the obvious addition to the producer's 'Tool Box' of ideas for increasing profit, there are some subtle hints, or ideas buried in the text of the article.
There have been many discussion threads on these CT pages in the past regarding the use of EPD's and their reliability insofar as seedstock selection is concerned. Some breeders are advocates of the extensive use of EPD's, and others are opposed to even considering their use. BE that as it may - BUT - the cold, hard fact of the matter is - the intelligent utilization of accurately-derived EPD's is the Capstone of a successful beef cattle operation. NO argument. Proven fact.
The pragmatic application of, and HOW those EPD's are managed are the essential factors in determining whether an operation is a profitable endeavor - or a losing one. The third paragraph under the "Carcass Weight" subtitle is a critical 'key' to the functional operational purpose of EPD management. The "level of selection pressure" is the operative phrase, and could change the entire protocols of a beef producers seedstock management agendas!
The "level of selection pressure" - that is - how aggressively do you wish to concentrate on ONE Single Trait - or - would it be more advisable to BALANCE several traits and characteristics with a mating in order to achieve your purposes, rather than to overdo the factors of ONE trait at the expense of several others??
In the study of Algebra, in solving for 'Two Unknown Factors' ( x and y for example ), it is imperative that both unknowns be recognized before the formula may be determined. Is it possible that optimal seedstock selection be any different?
DOC HARRIS
There have been many discussion threads on these CT pages in the past regarding the use of EPD's and their reliability insofar as seedstock selection is concerned. Some breeders are advocates of the extensive use of EPD's, and others are opposed to even considering their use. BE that as it may - BUT - the cold, hard fact of the matter is - the intelligent utilization of accurately-derived EPD's is the Capstone of a successful beef cattle operation. NO argument. Proven fact.
The pragmatic application of, and HOW those EPD's are managed are the essential factors in determining whether an operation is a profitable endeavor - or a losing one. The third paragraph under the "Carcass Weight" subtitle is a critical 'key' to the functional operational purpose of EPD management. The "level of selection pressure" is the operative phrase, and could change the entire protocols of a beef producers seedstock management agendas!
The "level of selection pressure" - that is - how aggressively do you wish to concentrate on ONE Single Trait - or - would it be more advisable to BALANCE several traits and characteristics with a mating in order to achieve your purposes, rather than to overdo the factors of ONE trait at the expense of several others??
In the study of Algebra, in solving for 'Two Unknown Factors' ( x and y for example ), it is imperative that both unknowns be recognized before the formula may be determined. Is it possible that optimal seedstock selection be any different?
DOC HARRIS
