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What do the EPDs tell us?
DIRECT EASE AT CALVING (FPDIR, %)
It is based on calving difficulty scores and birth weight. The FPdir reflects the greater calving ease that females will have mated with a bull compared to being mated with another bull. More positive FPdir are favorable and indicate easier calving.
BIRTH WEIGHT (NAC, KG)
It is an indirect indicator of calving ease. Very high EPD values at birth are generally associated with dystocia or other labor difficulties.
WEANING WEIGHT (DEST, KG)
It reflects the growth ability of the calf prior to weaning.
DAIRY ABILITY (MILK, KG)
The maternal ability of the daughters of a bull is expressed in kilos of calf at weaning. This value predicts the difference in weaning weight of the progeny of the daughters of the bull in question, due to the difference in milk production and maternal ability of these dams.
WEIGHT AT 15 AND 18 MONTHS (15M AND 18M, KG)
The EPDs for these traits reflect the post-weaning growth ability of the offspring.
COW ADULT WEIGHT (PA_V, KG)
The EPD for PA_V allows estimating the genetic differences between the weight of the daughters of a bull when they reach five years of age. This characteristic is calculated from the live weight of the cows recorded at the time of weaning of the calves.
The appropriate adult weight of the cow must be defined for each herd and based on the selection objectives of each producer. In this way, producers who wish to reduce the adult weight of the cows should look for lower values of EPD for PA_V,
while producers who wish to increase income from the sale of refuge cows should look for higher values
EASE AT MATERNAL DELIVERY (FPMAT, %)
Indicates the greater calving ease of the daughters of a bull when compared to the daughters of another bull. In this case, as for FPdir, positive values are desirable.
RIEF EYE AREA ON CARCASE
(AOBC, CM2)
The eye area of a steak is the cross section of the Longissimus Dorsi muscle (steak) at the level of the 12th rib, it is based on its measurement at 18 months by ultrasonography, and the genetic correlation of said measurement with the Area of the Rib. Rib eye measured at carcass level. It is an indicator of butchery performance by carcass weight at constant finish (degree of fatness).
COVERING GREASE IN CASING
(GRASAC, MM)
This is the Subcutaneous Fat thickness at the level of the 12th rib, it is based on the measurement at 18 months of age by ultrasonography and the genetic correlation of said measurement with the Subcutaneous Fat Thickness at carcass level. Parents with higher EPD values in GRASAc,
they will have progenies with a higher proportion of fat in cover than parents that present lower values.
SCROTAL CIRCUMFERENCE (C. ESC, CM)
The measurement is adjusted to 452 days of age, this being an indicator of fertility in males. It is related to the quantity and quality of semen production in the bull and to the age at puberty of the progeny (male).
FEED CONVERSION EFFICIENCY
(EFC, IN BASE 100)
This EPD is based on the measurement of conversion efficiency as the difference between expected feed intake based on weight and gain, and actual recorded intake. Efficient animals are those whose actual consumption is less than expected.
An EPD of 100 indicates that the actual consumption of the breeder's progeny will be equal to that expected based on their productive performance. Higher EPD values correspond to higher conversion efficiencies. More efficient bulls have higher EPDs and their progeny consume less than expected,
To facilitate the interpretation of the EPD in terms of levels of feed consumption, its calculation was made so that one unit of change in the EPD is equivalent to an intake of 10 kg of dry matter/animal/year. A player with an EPD of 103 is 3 units more efficient than one with an EPD of 100. That is,
that their progeny will consume an average of 30 kg (3 units x 10 kg/unit) less than expected per year. It would represent a saving in feed of 30 kg per year. Taking an EPD of 100 as a reference, a player with an EPD of 98 is 2 units less efficient. If we transform it into food consumption,
their progeny will consume 20 kg (2 units x 10 kg/unit) more, due to lower feed conversion efficiency.
BREEDING SELECTION INDEX WITH
COWS WINTERING
(BREEDING INDEX, IN BASE 100)
Indicates the marginal income possible to obtain, for the use of a player in a breeding system with sale of calves and fat cows in relation to another player.
SELECTION INDEX OF
FULL CYCLE (FULL INDEX,
IN BASE 100)
Indicates the marginal income possible to obtain, for the use of a reproducer in a complete cycle system with sale of steers to slaughter, surplus replacement calves and fat cows.
SUBCUTANEOUS FAT THICKNESS (EGS, MM)
This is the thickness of Subcutaneous Fat at the height of the 122 rib, it is based on the measurement at 18 months of age by ultrasonography.
INTRAMUSCULAR FAT (MARB, %)
Intramuscular fat percentage measured by ultrasonography at 18 months.
Source: Bovine Genetics
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