Milk EPD

[Txwalt]

I had no idea how the milk EPD was determined till I just did a google search on it. It seems rather discresionary. Its not hard data like a BW, WW or SC. Or do I have it all wrong.

Walt

 

[novatech]

Where did you read it? would not hurt me to know. Bet there are a few more that would like the same info.

 

[Wild Cattle]

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters.

I think that gives the bull 25% of the impact on the gain of that calf...Unless she is breed back to her sire...That is not good information.

I want to look at his mothers udder....but I am a little old school...I do not pick them by the numbers...I have seen to many people picking by the numbers and ending up with cattle that are not conformationally correct...

Paul T
Oakwood Stock Farm

 

[novatech]

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters. How much milk EPD you need in a sire depends upon your herd's production and your range and feed conditions. Consider this chart when making your decision.

I think that gives the bull 25% of the number they are using as milk EPD..That is not good information.

I want to look at his mothers udder....but I am a little old school...I do not pick them by the numbers...

Paul T
Oakwood Stock Farm

So is there an assumption of a certain percentage of the weight gain is from milk? If it is, then is that percentage the same with all breeds?

 

[Txwalt]

http://angussemen.com/milkepd.asp

 

[novatech]

http://angussemen.com/milkepd.asp

Thanks
I have read and understand how to use them.
If only judgeing from these remarks then I must assume they determine the milk EPD by useing the weining Weight EPD. If this is so then can,t we assume that good ww means good milk and don,t need them?
There just has to be more to it that that.

 

[Aero]

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters.

that is part of the story. you omitted the most important part: mothering ability. just because a cow has milk doesnt mean she gives the calf every opportunity to use it.

 

[Aero]

There just has to be more to it that that.

if i remember correctly, the Milk EPD is represents the pounds put on that are not accounted for by the weaning weight genetics/EPD.

 

[Txwalt]

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters.

Yes, that is the jest of it. But how is that measured. The milk is not tested for content. It is not measured as amount per day. It seems to be a wild guess based on the calfs condition. Like I said, I could be all wrong on this.

Walt

 

[novatech]

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters.

Yes, that is the jest of it. But how is that measured. The milk is not tested for content. It is not measured as amount per day. It seems to be a wild guess based on the calfs condition. Like I said, I could be all wrong on this.

Walt

The only thing I report is weights to the assoc. The is no space on the form for condition.

Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters.

This would indicate that milk was measured. Does anyone do that? I have never herd of it. It could be that that they actually did when EPS's were started and they came up with a percentage to use for each breed. It does not seem like anyone knows. If you don't know then how can you trust the accuracy?

if i remember correctly, the Milk EPD is represents the pounds put on that are not accounted for by the weaning weight genetics/EPD.

That would bring up a new question. How can one determine pounds put on because of WW/genetics/EPD?

 

[Aero]

Here is a link to a pretty lengthy discussion about this exact topic. technical information starts near the bottom of the first page.

http://5barx.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=847&highlight=

 

[Wild Cattle]

Butter fat content of the milk grows the calf, that is due to management "mostly" how can a milk EPD measure that???

Paul T

 

[Aero]

Butter fat content of the milk grows the calf, that is due to management "mostly" how can a milk EPD measure that???

Paul T

if you are saying that butter fat (or management) grows the calf, then the EPD measures pounds of weaning weight put on by butter fat (or management). that's one of the beauties of this EPD: it gives you the end product value (how much weight did the dam add to the calf?), not something else to calculate (lbs/gallons of milk, caloric value of the milk, hours separated from dam, size of teats, amount of time in the pond, etc). it takes most of the variables away and tells you what you need to know (if you are interested in pounds of calf weight).

 

[Horseless]

There is some good info on the angus website. The optimal milk module will help you make decisions on selecting the right Milk EPD for your cattle. There are also some views and articles in their also. Don't forget the EPD is comparing the difference between animals within the breed.
I''ll try posting link:
http://www.angus.org/tools/optmilk/index.html

 

[novatech]

I had no idea how the milk EPD was determined till I just did a google search on it. It seems rather discresionary. Its not hard data like a BW, WW or SC. Or do I have it all wrong.

Walt

Nobody Knows ;-)