EPD data question

[Workinonit Farm]

We were discussing the topic of EPD's today at work. There wasn't any really clear answer to my question, so I figured I could get even more feedback from the members of this board.

I understand how the breed associactions arrive at their numbers for EPD's ie: WW +5, YW -2, etc. Is it only the breeders of registered animals who can/do submit data?

Can commercial producers, whose herds do not consist of registered animals, submit data? One answer I recieved regarding that particular question was that non-registered commercial producers can submit data at the cost of $2.00 per cow. (This answer was relating to black Angus).

If it is true, then why would associations charge the cow owners for submitting data?

I would think that the more data which can be submitted would contribute to the accuracy of the numbers related to EPD's.

I hope I was clear with the questions.

Katherine

 

[Frankie]

We were discussing the topic of EPD's today at work. There wasn't any really clear answer to my question, so I figured I could get even more feedback from the members of this board.

I understand how the breed associactions arrive at their numbers for EPD's ie: WW +5, YW -2, etc. Is it only the breeders of registered animals who can/do submit data?

The Angus Assn uses data submitted through the AHIR program from registered Angus cattle to create EPDs. At one time they used reports from commercial cattlemen to make up the calving ease data. They just reported 1. no assistance; 2. some assistance; 3. mechanical assistance; 4. C-section. (It seems like there was a #5, but I can't remember it.) But that was before the cavling ease EPD. I assume today they use only info from registered cattle to create that EPD.

Can commercial producers, whose herds do not consist of registered animals, submit data? One answer I recieved regarding that particular question was that non-registered commercial producers can submit data at the cost of $2.00 per cow. (This answer was relating to black Angus).

The Angus Assn has a program called "Beef Record Service." http://www.angus.org/comm/index.html
From the site:
"BRS provides a system for commercial producers to keep performance records on their animals, regardless of breed composition. These records can help producers make selection decisions on their cowherd, while supplying information to help market the calf progeny as steers and replacement heifers. Producers can submit information on their cowherd, including sire information, breeding records, calving and weaning data, and any additional performance or carcass data collected on their calves. This data can be submitted, viewed, and sorted via your computer on this BRS Online site, or can also be submitted and returned on paper forms, printable from this site, or available from the Commmercial Programs Department at the AAA.
The BRS program provides a tool for serious producers who wish to link the end product to the producing factory by identifying genetics that work in their operation."

If it is true, then why would associations charge the cow owners for submitting data?

I would think that the more data which can be submitted would contribute to the accuracy of the numbers related to EPD's.

I hope I was clear with the questions.

You're right: the more data, the better. The $2 charge covers all data reported, BW, WW, YW, ultrasound and is a charge for producing the reports and EPDs for my animals, or your animals or which every animals are being reported. I'm happy to add my bit of data, but I do it as much for the information I get back from the Association about my cattle as helping the Association. I hope my answers are helpful. If not, ask more.....

 

[Workinonit Farm]

Frankie, thank you very much for the info. Very informative.

Do other breed associations have programs like the BRS that black angus has?

Katherine

 

[Frankie]

Frankie, thank you very much for the info. Very informative.

Do other breed associations have programs like the BRS that black angus has?

Katherine

You're welcome. I don't know if other associations have a similar program. Sorry.

 

[txag]

Do other breed associations have programs like the BRS that black angus has?

Katherine

the AHA has started an "Alternate Breed Registry"

http://www.hereford.org/AHA/tabID__3581/tailored.aspx

"The AHA is now offering an alternate breed inventory program to help start collecting cross-bred data as well as information on recipient dams so that it might be possible to utilize the information of crossbred and ET calves in future genetic analyses.

The goals of this program are as follows:

A. Allow for AHA to record and document information on recipient dams to allow ET calves to possibly be used in future genetic analyses (age and breed makeup of recip).

B. Allow for AHA to record information on crossbred calves with some portion of known Hereford genetics so that the performance data from these animals might be used in future genetic analyses. Possible schemes might be for progeny testing young sires, aiding commercial cattlemen by bench marking performance on their commercial cow herd, utilization of alternate breed sires on Hereford Heifers and preserving their production history.

C. Collect several years worth of these types of data and then analyze this information to see what the impact might be to the North American Hereford Cattle Evaluation of EPDs."

 

[Workinonit Farm]

txag, thank you for the information.

Both the AHA and angus links have been helpful with my question.

Katherine

 

[Frankie]

Katherine, a commercial operator might also look into the programs several breeds have that identify calves as being half bloods. The AngusSource info is on the link I posted. Herefords are looking for Hereford-identified calves to go into their CHB program. Gelbvieh used to have special sales for calves identified as half bloods. Red Angus also uses an ear tag to identify calves that are half Red Angus. Their ear tag program may be the oldest in the industry. If a cowman is using a registered bull of any breed, he should contact the association and see if the calves he's raising can qualify for special sales or feeding programs.