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Reaching genetic potential
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<blockquote data-quote="Frankie" data-source="post: 154402" data-attributes="member: 13"><p>EPDs don't tell you what anything will weigh, ever. EPDs are based on contemporary groups. Contemporary groups are calves raised in the same management system (creep or not). EPDs allow you to compare two or more animals. If you breed a bull with a WW EPD of 50 lbs, you'd EXPECT his calves to weigh 50 more pounds at weaning than if you bred those same cows, same management, same climate, same everything, to a bull with a 0 WW EPD. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>WW EPDs don't take forage into consideration at all. I think your management (forage, etc.) is probably affected by EPDs when you get cattle that are either too big or milk too much. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Feed efficiency is already important. We performance test our bulls and buyers are willing to pay more for bulls that did well on test. It may be more important to feed lots than ranchers, though. As long ranchers sell their calves by the pound, weight will be a concern. But more and more producers are starting to retain ownership, partner with a feedlot, or at least get information on their calves back from feedlots.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I think your concerns are valid. But the major concern for me is size and milk. We want big bulls to sell, but that also translates into bigger heifers and the milk EPD in the Angus breed has gotten too high, IMO. It's a balancing act.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Frankie, post: 154402, member: 13"] EPDs don't tell you what anything will weigh, ever. EPDs are based on contemporary groups. Contemporary groups are calves raised in the same management system (creep or not). EPDs allow you to compare two or more animals. If you breed a bull with a WW EPD of 50 lbs, you'd EXPECT his calves to weigh 50 more pounds at weaning than if you bred those same cows, same management, same climate, same everything, to a bull with a 0 WW EPD. WW EPDs don't take forage into consideration at all. I think your management (forage, etc.) is probably affected by EPDs when you get cattle that are either too big or milk too much. Feed efficiency is already important. We performance test our bulls and buyers are willing to pay more for bulls that did well on test. It may be more important to feed lots than ranchers, though. As long ranchers sell their calves by the pound, weight will be a concern. But more and more producers are starting to retain ownership, partner with a feedlot, or at least get information on their calves back from feedlots. I think your concerns are valid. But the major concern for me is size and milk. We want big bulls to sell, but that also translates into bigger heifers and the milk EPD in the Angus breed has gotten too high, IMO. It's a balancing act. [/QUOTE]
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