Page 7 - Tokach Angus 45th Annual Production Sale – Feb. 17, 2020 Angus Bulls, Purebred and Commercial Heifers

American Angus Association $Value Indexes

Dollar value indexes, or
$Values, are a tool used to
select for several traits at once
based on a specific breeding
objective. An economic index
approach takes into account
genetic and economic values as
well as the relationships between
traits to select for profit.

Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M), an index expressed in dollars per head, predicts profitability differences in progeny due
to genetics from conception to weaning. $M is built off of a self-replacing herd model where commercial cattlemen replace
25% of their breeding females in the first generation and 20% in subsequent generations. Remaining cull females and all male
progeny are sold as feeder calves. Increased selection pressure on $M aims to decrease overall mature cow size and improve
foot structure and fertility while maintaining weaning weights consistent with today’s production.
Weaned Calf Value ($W), an index expressed in dollars per head, provides the expected difference in future progeny
preweaning performance from birth to weaning. $W assumes that producers retain 20% of their female progeny for
replacements and sell the rest of their cull female and male progeny as feeder calves. Over time, increased selection pressure
on $W will increase weaning and maternal milk traits while also continuing to increase mature cow size.
Feedlot Value ($F), an index expressed in dollars per head, is
the expected average difference in future progeny performance
for post-weaning merit compared to progeny of other sires. The EPDS DIRECTLY INCORPORATED INTO EACH $VALUE
underlying objective assumes commercial producers will retain
ownership of cattle through the feedlot phase and sell fed cattle MATERNAL TERMINAL
on a carcass weight basis with no considerations of premiums
or discounts for quality and yield grade. TRAIT $M $W $F $G $B $C
Grid Value ($G), an index expressed in dollars per carcass, is
the expected average difference in future progeny performance CED
for carcass grid merit, including quality and yield grade BW
attributes, compared to progeny of other sires. WW
Beef Value ($B), an index expressed in dollars per carcass, YW
facilitates simultaneous multi-trait genetic selection for feedlot CEM
and carcass merit. $B represents the expected average
differences in the progeny postweaning performance and Milk
carcass value compared to progeny of other sires. This index MW
assumes commercial producers wean all male and female DOC
progeny, retain ownership of these animals through the feedlot
phase and market these animals on a quality-based carcass HP
grid. Claw
Combined Value ($C), an index expressed in dollars per Angle
head, includes all traits that make up both $M and $B with the DMI
objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their
breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained CW
within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer RE
progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the Marb
producers retain ownership of those cattle and eventually sell
them on a quality-based carcass merit grid. Fat
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