Sire Selection: EPDs vs Progeny PErformance ratios

[Stonegate]

Looking to buy semen to add to the tank and to breed cows with this year.

I was wondering how others are using Progeny Performance Ratios when selecting new AI sires vs using EPDs? More weight on EPDs or more weight on Calve's performance ratios.

I also look at phenotype and pedigree to help make a sire decision so this is not just a number's game question but looking to improve my small herd of herefords and one way is with selecting a good AI sire.

It seems as if some of the bulls with high Ribeye/Marbling EPDs are having progeny performance ratios near average and lower EPD bulls are having higher ratioing calves.

I know not all calves are reported and that may well impact the Progeny Performance Ratios, but don't those reports also go into the formulas used to set EPDs?

 

[cow pollinater]

I look for epd's with alot of reliability before I'll use a bull on my own cows and I recommend the same to my customers. Ratios are valuable information but it's the same as "so and so said"... We don't really know how it will transmit into our operation because we don't know how "so and so" manages his cattle and how it affected that particular animal.
Epd's with at least sixty percent reliability give us a good picture of how progeny are performing on different ranches under different management. Leave the risk of unproven genetics to the folks who have enough cattle with deep pedigrees that can afford some risk and use PROVEN genetics on your cows.