TT,
IMO, Milk epd is not a maternal trait - it's a production trait, and has a cost associated with it, in the need for more feed/inputs - and, potentially, poorer breed-back percentages, if those needs aren't met.
AAA has an 'optimal milk module' that can help guide you in assessing milk epd needs, based on the size of your cows, typical feed costs, etc.
http://www.angus.org/Performance/Optima ... kMain.aspx
My biggest issue with it is... with a crossbred beef herd, how do I really KNOW what the milking ability of my herd is? Based on my use of the OMM, I need an Angus sire with Milk between 27 and 31 - or 17 and 22, depending upon what numbers I put in.
I try to pick a bull with Milk below 30, so long as all other criteria I look at are met - but prefer lower Milk(below 25) when I can get it(base cowherd we started with was heavily Simmental-influenced, with some Holstein back behind some of the cow families). It's getting harder to find the 'hot' Angus bulls - or at least the ones I'd consider using - with a milk below 30.