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American Angus Association Selection Tools
Expected Progeny Difference (EPD), is the prediction of how future Cow Energy Value ($EN), expressed in dollars savings per cow per year,
progeny of each animal are expected to perform relative to the progeny of assesses differences in cow energy requirements as an expected dollar
other animals listed in the database. EPDs are expressed in units of measure savings difference in daughters of sires. A larger value is more favorable
for the trait, plus or minus. Interim EPDs may appear on young animals when when comparing two animals (more dollars saved on feed energy expenses).
heir performance has yet to be incorporated into the American Angus Components for computing the cow $EN savings difference include lactation
Association National Cattle Evaluation (NCE) procedures. This EPD will be energy requirements and energy costs associated with differences in mature
preceded by an “I”, and may or may not include the animal’s own cow size.
performance record for a particular trait, depending on its availability,
appropriate contemporary grouping, or data edits needed for NCE. CARCASS
The genetic evaluation produces a single set of EPDs for carcass weight,
Accuracy (ACC), is the reliability that can be placed on the EPD. An marbling score, Ribeye area and fat thickness. The units of measure are in
accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability. Accuracy is impacted by carcass trait format and analyzed on an age-constant basis.
he number of progeny and ancestral records included in the analysis.
Carcass Weight EPD (CW), expressed in pounds is a predictor of the
GROWTH differences in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny
Calving Ease Direct (CED), is expressed as a difference in percentage of of other sires.
unassisted births, with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-
calf heifers. It predicts the average difference in ease with which a sire’s Marbling EPD (Marb), expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA
calves will be born when he is bred to first-calf heifers. marbling score of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.

Birth Weight EPD (BW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s Ribeye Area EPD (RE), expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the
ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny compared to that of other sires. difference in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other
sires.
Weaning Weight EPD (WW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s
ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny compared to that of other Fat Thickness EPD (Fat), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the
ires. differences in external fat thickness at the 12th rib (as measured between the
12th and 13th ribs) of a sire’s progeny compared to progeny of other sires.
Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG), feed efficiency expressed in pounds
per day, is a predictor of a sire’s genetic ability for postweaning gain in future $VALUE INDEXES
progeny compared to that of other sires, given a constant amount of feed $Value indexes, are multi-trait selection indexes to assist beef producers by
consumed. adding simplicity to genetic selection decisions. $Values are reported in
dollars per head, where a higher value is more favorable. The $Value is an
Yearling Weight EPD (YW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform, on
ability to transmit yearling growth to his progeny compared to that of other average, compared to progeny of other sires in the database if the sires were
ires. randomly mated to cows and if calves were exposed to the same
environment.
Yearling Height EPD (YH), is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit
yearling height, expressed in inches, compared to the that of other sires. Weaned Calf Value ($W), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is
the expected average difference in future progeny performance for pre-
Scrotal Circumference EPD (SC), expressed in centimeters, is a predictor weaning merit. $W includes both revenue and cost adjustments associated
of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size compared to that of with differences in birth weight, weaning direct growth, maternal milk, and
other sires. mature cow size.
Docility (DOC), is expressed as a difference in yearling cattle temperament, Feedlot Value ($F), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the
with a higher value indicating more favorable docility. It predicts the average expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning
difference of progeny from a sire in comparison with another sire’s calves. merit compared to progeny of other sires.
MATERNAL Grid Value ($G), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the
Heifer Pregnancy (HP), is a selection tool to increase the probability or expected average difference in future progeny performance for carcass grid
chance of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant as first–calf heifers during a merit compared to progeny of other sires.
normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction, and
he EPD is reported in percentage units. Quality Grade ($QG) represents the quality grade segment of the economic
advantage found in $G. $QG is intended for the specialized user wanting to
Calving Ease Maternal (CEM), is expressed as a difference in percentage place more emphasis on improving quality grade. The carcass marbling
of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in (Marb) EPD, which is influenced by carcass marbling scores and ultrasound
first-calf daughters. It predicts the average ease with which a sire’s daughters percent intramuscular fat (% IMF) measurements, contribute to $QG.
will calve as first-calf heifers when compared to daughters of other sires.
Yield Grade ($YG) $YG represents the yield grade segment of the economic
Maternal Milk EPD (Milk), is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk advantage found in $G. $YG is intended for the specialized user wanting to
and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters compared to daughters of place more emphasis on red meat yield. It provides a multi-trait approach to
other sires. In other words, it is that part of a calf’s weaning weight attributed encompass ribeye, fat thickness and weight into an economic value for red
o milk and mothering ability. meat yield.
$G combines both $QG and $YG, and may be the best carcass decision
Mature Weight EPD (MW), expressed in pounds, is a predictor of the tool for focusing on quality and red meat yield simultaneously.
difference in mature weight of daughters of a sire compared to the daughters
of other sires. Beef Value ($B), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the
expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning
Mature Height EPD (MH), expressed in inches, is a predictor of the and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.
difference in mature height of a sire’s daughters compared to daughters of
other sires.
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