I find it interesting that (in angus world anyway), there are ranches that seem to adhere very strictly to EPDs (Gardner?) and yet, some very successful places that seem far less concerned (Ohlde, SAV, Coleman). I wonder what would happen if a bull with Ohlde EPDs ended up in a GAR sale. Would Coleman Charlo (an Ohlde son) ever seen success if not for SAV not seeming to care about EPDs (at least the same way) as others?
Even when I look at my own cattle, the EPDs of my older cattle are quite inferior to my "newer" cattle but all the actual traits of their calves (wean weight, docility, calving ease, etc...) don't seem to track the EPDs of the animals.
I realize EPDs are "just a tool", but what if the tool is rather misleading, should it still be used? I'm even more curious now that I'm being given the opportunity to pay $40 to have them "genomically enhanced". Lastly, it's really rather ironic to me in a world that is so "science doubtful", that we in the ag world are willing to pay $40 per animal for this rather scientific test. Has this genomic enhance value actually ever been scientifically proven (if we actually believe in data or science any more) or is it another example of "big pharma taking our money"?
All very odd to me....
Even when I look at my own cattle, the EPDs of my older cattle are quite inferior to my "newer" cattle but all the actual traits of their calves (wean weight, docility, calving ease, etc...) don't seem to track the EPDs of the animals.
I realize EPDs are "just a tool", but what if the tool is rather misleading, should it still be used? I'm even more curious now that I'm being given the opportunity to pay $40 to have them "genomically enhanced". Lastly, it's really rather ironic to me in a world that is so "science doubtful", that we in the ag world are willing to pay $40 per animal for this rather scientific test. Has this genomic enhance value actually ever been scientifically proven (if we actually believe in data or science any more) or is it another example of "big pharma taking our money"?
All very odd to me....