Remember EPD's are only as good as the herd they are reported in. An amimal may carry a 2.0 BW EPD, but the average calves in the herd he was reported in may be 90lbs, so a 2.0 may not necessarily reflect a 75lb calf. Look at both yours and the bull sellers programs when determining how you think a sire will perform.
9 ER":1dv0wsbn said:Did I read somewhere that if you are cross breeding then you can throw epd's out the window?
Jeanne - Simme Valley":2xz9sgjh said:Different breed associations may do indexes differently, but I just double checked my in herd Simmental indexes (which I don't pay much attention to "in herd indexes"). Anyway, Simmental BW indexes over 100 are lower birth weights, and under 100 is heavier BW.
On the question about how do you know if they are EPD or indexes, if you were shown registration papers, they will say the words/letters:
EPD or Index. If it says EPD than you know it is not just a "in herd" figure.
Now, I'm not saying that "in herd" ratios don't mean anything, they do - within that particular herd. But it does not mean anything between your herd & my herd. Does that make sense??
Herd A may have an average BW of 65# (100 index) and my herd may have an average BW of 85# (100 index) So my cows/bull that has a 110 index on BW means they had a BW less than my herd average of 85#. But a 110 index for Herd A means it was less than 65# in that herd.
treytex":3tjeov7a said:Can a person tell if a bull has desirable traits such as low birth weight by looking at the bull or is always necessary to have a pedigree.
denoginnizer":9njp0wgy said:My understanding is that the owner of the bull is the one responsible for collecting the numbers.
If his/her scales arent working correctly or if he/she decides he needs to make a little extra money this year he/she might fudge on the numbers.
Just because it is written down on a piece of paper doesnt mean its true.
I am thinking it would be best to find bull sellers that have been known to be honest ,with reliable information in the past. Someone may get mad at me for pointing this out but I am telling it like I see it. I think most people involved in the cattle business are honest but you always have some shady/incompetent dealers out there.