We had the same problem with a lady buying a Kune kune we finally received the paperwork. l am new to this. I bought a red poll bull and had no problem getting the paperwork. But could you tell me why l need the EPD's before l buy anymore cattle just so l understand all this. Please thank you all. Still learning ?
EPD's tell you how a bull compares to others within his breed. There is also a chart known as "Across Breed Adjustments" that can help you compare those numbers to other breeds of cattle. I don't see the Red Poll included in that chart, so I would assume there is not enough data available to make a relevant comparison.
The Data is really only as good as the information turned in. If they are based on limited data, they may not mean much. The American Angus association is ahead of most breeds in providing reliable data, simply because of the amount of data that is available. Their website includes a chart that tells you what the numbers mean and how they compare to the average of the breed. In addition, when you look up an individual animal, you will see three or more numbers for each EPD.
* The top number is the actual EPD.
* Below that is a percentage that indicates the accuracy you might expect of that EPD. For example, a .99 would indicate an animal with thousands of entries of data, including many descendants reported by multiple sources, and a high expectation that the number is reliable. .35 probably means there is data from actual numbers for the animal themselves, their parents, and probably a DNA analysis. The numbers are likely to change as more data arrives. .05 usually means the only data reported is just from that animal itself, such as birth and weaning weight. There is a high probability of EPD's changing. No number shown means there is no data available to make a determination.
* The third number may be the most important, assuming the accuracy is there. It shows you were this animal stands against his contemporaries in the breed. A low number indicates he is above the average for the breed in that trait. For example a 10% means he is expected to produce in the top 10% of the breed, while a 90% would tell you that 90% of animals in the breed had a more favorable score.
* Below that number is a number that tells you how many progeny have had data turned in.
we run a commercial operation so it really doesn't affect us but i wanted to see the bulls EPDs!! Rookie mistake for us. Make sure it doesn't happen to those of you just starting. Lesson learned. 
