ratio question

[WisRose]

I have noticed in the AI catalogs that they have ratios. For example WW: 710 lbs./ ratio 103. What does this mean and how is it figured? Is it something that you seriously look at when selecting a sire? Thanks for the help!

 

[jkwilson]

It's how he rates compared to the rest of his herdmates. The animal's weaning weight divided by the average herd or contemporary group weaning weight X 100.

 

[rwtherefords]

I'd definetly look at ratios. An animal can produce very impressive WW weights (depending on feed, conditions, etc.) or they may have less than impressive WW figures depending on the same factors. The ratio tells you how that animals' genetics actually performed against that herds peer group average. That assumes they have the same feed & living conditions. Most often, animals with high WW ratios also have high WW EPD's. If they had a high WW EPD, but a low WW ratio, I'd be very skeptical of that animal's true genetic performance potential. So, in your example, that animal grew 3% larger than it's peers average.

Hope this is what you were looking for.