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What's wrong with chasing numbers?
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<blockquote data-quote="VanC" data-source="post: 771037" data-attributes="member: 3355"><p>For what it's worth, I think you're going about it the right way. Numbers can be an excellent tool when used as part of the total picture but can lead to a disaster when used as the sole reason for buying a particular animal. This last instance is what I think of when I hear the term "chasing numbers". Just as there are certain traits that can't be seen, there are others that can't be measured without visual appraisal. </p><p></p><p>A bull with great numbers won't do much good if he can't stand up during the breeding season and get the job done. That's where looking at his structure comes in. I suspect that's what Julian was referring to.</p><p></p><p>For the commercial producer that retains heifers, a bull whose daughters only last a couple of years will cost him money in the long run, regardless of what his numbers say. That's where looking at his producing female relatives, especially his dam, comes in. I could go on and on.</p><p></p><p>EPDs are, in my opinion, one of the greatest advancements in breeding we've seen, if used correctly. The breeder who doesn't utilize them will be eventually be left behind. I just hope it doesn't mean that a new generation of breeders are being created that know little or nothing about the important traits that can only be measured by actually looking at the animal. Whether you're selling or buying, I don't think that would bode well for the future.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="VanC, post: 771037, member: 3355"] For what it's worth, I think you're going about it the right way. Numbers can be an excellent tool when used as part of the total picture but can lead to a disaster when used as the sole reason for buying a particular animal. This last instance is what I think of when I hear the term "chasing numbers". Just as there are certain traits that can't be seen, there are others that can't be measured without visual appraisal. A bull with great numbers won't do much good if he can't stand up during the breeding season and get the job done. That's where looking at his structure comes in. I suspect that's what Julian was referring to. For the commercial producer that retains heifers, a bull whose daughters only last a couple of years will cost him money in the long run, regardless of what his numbers say. That's where looking at his producing female relatives, especially his dam, comes in. I could go on and on. EPDs are, in my opinion, one of the greatest advancements in breeding we've seen, if used correctly. The breeder who doesn't utilize them will be eventually be left behind. I just hope it doesn't mean that a new generation of breeders are being created that know little or nothing about the important traits that can only be measured by actually looking at the animal. Whether you're selling or buying, I don't think that would bode well for the future. [/QUOTE]
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