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EPD numbers? critique/comments/help understanding
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<blockquote data-quote="KNERSIE" data-source="post: 639063" data-attributes="member: 4353"><p>Not on paper, but because of genetic coupling with lots of contemporaries in a well established breeding program that selected for the same traits for years, I'd place more emphasis on their low accuracy EPDs than the breeder down the road who has 10 cows and use only 1 bull per season.</p><p></p><p>I am with George on this issue, I take note of the EPDs of a young bull, but won't hang myself up on it. Its often more important to select a young bull with "safe" EPDs that have the other qualities you're after than selecting the bull with the "best" EPDs. The problem with "best" EPDs is what the industry might think is best is very seldom good for you. I have found that as long as you avoid extremes in EPDs like a negative or extremely low milk EPD for instance your customers will understand if you explain your selection criteria to them.</p><p></p><p>We have an 18month EBV as well so I explain to my customers that I select for a high WW, about breed average or slightly above YW and a breed average or slightly below 18m weight. The reason is that I breed earlier maturing moderate cattle and their ideal growth pattern (in my opinion) is like I described. Very high YW and 18m weight EBVs effectively mean cattle that will continue to grow longer and finish later and that will mature at a larger size than my environment can sustain.</p><p></p><p>CE and BW I want better than breed average (lower BW and higher CE) as I try to target the market that the big name breeders of show animals neglected. </p><p></p><p>Herefords in SA can generally do with a little added milk so I only use bulls with muscle with milk EBVs much higher than breed average.</p><p></p><p>A high SC is a must for me as they tend to be fertile earlier maturing animals with earlier puberty in the heifers. The early puberty in heifers is really a non issue because I have never seen a well looked after hereford heifer (barring the real extremes) that aren't cycling well ahead of their first breeding season, but small scrotums is something that is very hard to correct if it slipped into your herd and it makes selling bulls very difficult.</p><p></p><p>I know my response was very longwinded, but the intention was to illustrate how I use breeding values to suit my needs regardless of whether that specific EPD is a trait leader or in the top 10% of the breed or not.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KNERSIE, post: 639063, member: 4353"] Not on paper, but because of genetic coupling with lots of contemporaries in a well established breeding program that selected for the same traits for years, I'd place more emphasis on their low accuracy EPDs than the breeder down the road who has 10 cows and use only 1 bull per season. I am with George on this issue, I take note of the EPDs of a young bull, but won't hang myself up on it. Its often more important to select a young bull with "safe" EPDs that have the other qualities you're after than selecting the bull with the "best" EPDs. The problem with "best" EPDs is what the industry might think is best is very seldom good for you. I have found that as long as you avoid extremes in EPDs like a negative or extremely low milk EPD for instance your customers will understand if you explain your selection criteria to them. We have an 18month EBV as well so I explain to my customers that I select for a high WW, about breed average or slightly above YW and a breed average or slightly below 18m weight. The reason is that I breed earlier maturing moderate cattle and their ideal growth pattern (in my opinion) is like I described. Very high YW and 18m weight EBVs effectively mean cattle that will continue to grow longer and finish later and that will mature at a larger size than my environment can sustain. CE and BW I want better than breed average (lower BW and higher CE) as I try to target the market that the big name breeders of show animals neglected. Herefords in SA can generally do with a little added milk so I only use bulls with muscle with milk EBVs much higher than breed average. A high SC is a must for me as they tend to be fertile earlier maturing animals with earlier puberty in the heifers. The early puberty in heifers is really a non issue because I have never seen a well looked after hereford heifer (barring the real extremes) that aren't cycling well ahead of their first breeding season, but small scrotums is something that is very hard to correct if it slipped into your herd and it makes selling bulls very difficult. I know my response was very longwinded, but the intention was to illustrate how I use breeding values to suit my needs regardless of whether that specific EPD is a trait leader or in the top 10% of the breed or not. [/QUOTE]
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