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<blockquote data-quote="Frankie" data-source="post: 40087" data-attributes="member: 13"><p>They recommend less than 3 because bulls with a BW EPD of less than 3 are EXPECTED to sire smaller calves than bulls with BW EPD 3 or more. That does NOT tell you that the calf will weigh 70#. It merely tells you that Angus history indictes bulls with a BW EPD of less than 3 throw calves that heifers don't have trouble delivering. When I report AHIR data to the AAA, I indicate any calfing difficulty. They, of course, have EPD info on the sire and the age of the dam of all calves. I've never asked the AAA, but I believe that's what the recommendation is based on, not actual birth weights. And that recommendtion is for purebred stock. If you're breeding to crossbred or another breed, you need to take heterosis into account and possibly use an even smaller BW bull. Again, EPDs will never tell you what a calf will weigh at any time. A bull's actual BW is influenced by management and the age of his dam. A four old cow, bred to the same bull, will produce a heavier calf than she did as a heifer. A calf born in March in Montana will probably weigh more than a calf born in March in Florida from similar genetics. A cow grazing belly deep grass in east Texas will wean a heavier calf than the same cow in SW New Mexico. EPDs aren't perfect, but they're the best tool we have to compare bulls of the same breed from different programs.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Frankie, post: 40087, member: 13"] They recommend less than 3 because bulls with a BW EPD of less than 3 are EXPECTED to sire smaller calves than bulls with BW EPD 3 or more. That does NOT tell you that the calf will weigh 70#. It merely tells you that Angus history indictes bulls with a BW EPD of less than 3 throw calves that heifers don't have trouble delivering. When I report AHIR data to the AAA, I indicate any calfing difficulty. They, of course, have EPD info on the sire and the age of the dam of all calves. I've never asked the AAA, but I believe that's what the recommendation is based on, not actual birth weights. And that recommendtion is for purebred stock. If you're breeding to crossbred or another breed, you need to take heterosis into account and possibly use an even smaller BW bull. Again, EPDs will never tell you what a calf will weigh at any time. A bull's actual BW is influenced by management and the age of his dam. A four old cow, bred to the same bull, will produce a heavier calf than she did as a heifer. A calf born in March in Montana will probably weigh more than a calf born in March in Florida from similar genetics. A cow grazing belly deep grass in east Texas will wean a heavier calf than the same cow in SW New Mexico. EPDs aren't perfect, but they're the best tool we have to compare bulls of the same breed from different programs. [/QUOTE]
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