EBVs and EPDS etc.

[Australian Cattleman]

Here in Australia there is some controversy to the accuracy and reliability of Breedplan with its EBVs etc.A number of large breeders have been caught out by their innaccuracy.
I've attached a poll to see if it gauges peoples' thoughts on it.
I personally don't trust them and would never use them.

 

[Oldtimer]

I like to buy bulls and/or heifers from some of the small breeders I know and trust-- that also know their cattle and what they can or cannot do...I do look at the animal, and the EPD's- but also place a lot of credence in what the breeder tells me his animal can or can not/will or will not do...

I think with too many of these seedstock breeders that sell hundreds or thousands of bulls- its just numbers and they really don't know the details of the individual animals...One of the important things to me anymore is disposition- and that is one of the things not shown in the numbers...

 

[novatech]

It is very unfortunite that one connot trust the word of another in todays world. I beleive that a lot of these numbers are used simply as marketing tools by some breeders.
About a year ago I visited a world renown seed stock producers ranch. While touring the place I looked over the working pens. There was no scale. I asked how they obtained weights without a scale. The answer was," Somebody in the office figures them out".
Now when I buy breeding stock I will only buy older cows where I can see some of their offspring.

 

[Australian Cattleman]

Thats a good idea buying older cows and looking at thier progeny. I've seen Breedplan members do exactly the same thing never weighing calves.
Colin

 

[S&S Farms]

That is why there ia a catch 22 on using proven bulls with higher accuracies. It is hard and takes time to get bulls proven. Then if the accurate bulls do not pan out as aspected then it becomes a bigger nightmare.

We enroll the bulls that we think have the possibility of making improvements to our breed in the the young sire test as a way to get them proven. Then you have to actually get picked by the herds that use them. That is the hardest part is getting them to try something from a newer breeder. I like the bulls that go through national tests because there should be more accurate measurments taken by the cooperating herds.