Multi-breed EPD's!!!

[DOC HARRIS]

The Fall 2006 Sire Summary represents the 19th official run of the innovative Multiple-Breed International Cattle Evaluation (MB-ICE) system. Developed jointly by ASA and Cornell University, MB-ICE was the industry's first multi-breed genetic evaluation. It was developed to accommodate the needs of ASA members and their customers to better utilize breed complementarity in their crossbreeding programs. ASA EPDs are expressed on a single base regardless of breed makeup, thereby making cumbersome across-breed EPD adjustments unnecessary.

Little by little, some intelligent people in this world attempt to use logic and common sense rather than aggressiveness and bull-headedness. If ALL of the breed associations could compromise on reasonableness and valid, rational thought, all beef cattle producers would have an easier time planning their matings and future genetics. Perhaps even some who "don't believe in EPD's" could begin to understand the value of EPD's as a useful tool and ultimately improve their bottom line!

There is good and bad in everything, and this move on the part of the ASA is a step in the correct direction toward minimizing some of the bad in regard to understanding the uses of EPD's. They are not a cure-all for unacceptable progeny symptoms - - but they are a pretty good attempt at eliminating some of the negative causes!

DOC HARRIS

 

[Frankie]

Is this the same as the MARC across breed EPDs?

 

[DOC HARRIS]

Is this the same as the MARC across breed EPDs?

Frankie - this is the first Article on the CattleToday front page titled, "Simmental Association Releases Fall Sire Summary".

DOC HARRIS