Page 6 - Flittie-Schnabel-Lazy J Bar Simmental and Red Angus Bull Sale – Feb. 16, 2019

Sale Information

BULL BUYER’S QUICK GUIDE TO ASA EPDS AND $ INDEXES

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs): EPDs are the Explanation of How to Utilize API and TI Indexes
most accurate and effective tool available for comparing genetic
levels. In using EPDs, the difference between two sires’ EPDs First, determine which index to use; if you’re keeping replacements
represents the unit difference expected in the performance of their use API, if not, TI. Then, just as with EPDs, zero in on the unit dif-
progeny. For example, if sires A and B have EPDs of +10 and -5, ference between bulls. (As described to the left, index units are in
a 15-unit difference would be expected in their progeny (moving dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be used to determine
from -5 to +10 yields 15 units). Key to using EPDs is knowing what how much a bull is worth compared to another. Or, put another way,
units they are expressed in. For example, if the above case referred how much you can pay for one bull compared to another. For ex-
to weaning weight EPDs, A would be expected to sire 15-percent ample, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, you can quickly fi gure
more unassisted births in fi rst-calf heifers; in other words, if B sired a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra $6,000 over a $50 bull
30 assists in a group of 100 heifers, we’d expect A to require 15 if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years ($50 diff. x hd. x 4 yr. =
assists. $6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a
bull’s index value ranks him relative to other bulls in the breed. For
A percentile-ranking chart is required to determine where a bull’s more information, visit www.simmental.org.
EPDs rank him relative to other bulls in the breed. For percentile
rankings or more detailed information about EPDs and $ indexes Defi nitions of Terms
visit www.simmental.org. Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs): EPDs are the
most accurate and effective tool available for comparing genetic
$ Indexes: Though EPDs allow for the comparison of genetic levels levels.
for many economically important traits, they only provide a piece
of the economic puzzle. That’s where $ indexes come in. Through Back Fat (BF): Inches of backfat.
well-conceived, rigorous mathematical computation,$ indexes blend Birth Weight (BW): Pounds of birth weight.
EPDs and economics to estimate an animal’s overall impact on your
bottom line. The same technology that led to the dramatic progress Calving Ease (CE): Percent of unassisted births when used on
in swine, poultry and dairy genetics over the last several decades heifers.
was used to develop the following $ indexes: Carcass Weight (CW): Pounds of carcass weight.

All-Purpose Index (API): Evaluates sires for use on the entire Maternal Calving Ease (MCE): Percent of unassisted births
cow herd (bred to both Angus fi rst-calf heifers and mature cows) in fi rst-calving daughters.
with the portion of their daughters required to maintain herd size Milk (MLK): Pounds of weaning weight due to milk.
retained and the remaining heifers and steers put on feed and sold
grade and yield. Marbling (MRB): Marbling score.
Maternal Weaning Weight (MWW): Pounds of weaning
Terminal Index (TI): Evaluates sire for use on mature Angus weight due to milk and growth.
cows with all offspring put on feed and sold grade and yield.
Ribeye Area (REA): Square inches of ribeye.
Using API and TI: First, determine which index to use; if you’re Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF): Pounds of force
keeping replacements use API, if not, TI. Then just as with EPDs, required to shear a steak.
zero in on the unit difference between bulls. (As described above,
index units are in dollars per cow exposed.) The difference can be Stayability (STAY): Percent of daughters remaining in the cow-
used to determine how much a bull is worth compared to another. herd at 6 years of age.
Or, put another way, how much you can pay for one bull compared Terminal Index (TI): Dollars per cow exposed under a terminal-
to another. For example, when buying an all-purpose-type sire, sire scenario.
you can quickly fi gure a bull scoring +100 for API is worth an extra
$6,000 over a $50 bull if both are exposed to 30 cows over 4 years Weaning Weight (WW): Pounds of weaning weight.
($50 diff. x 30 hd. x 4 yr. = $6,000). A percentile-ranking chart is
required to determine where a bull’s index value ranks him relative Yearling Weight (YW): Pounds of yearling weight.
to other bulls in the breed. For percentile rankings or more detailed
information about EPDs and $ indexes visit www.simmental.org. Yield Grade (YG): Yield grade score.
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