Page 5 - Northern Lites Annual Red Angus Bull Sale – March 25, 2021

Red Angus Guide to EPDS and Indexes
Yearling Bulls
Yearling Bulls

ProS ... Profi tability and Sustainability is HB ..... HerdBuilder is a maternal selection GM..... GridMaster is a selection index that
an all-purpose index that predicts average index that predicts the economic differences predicts the average economic difference of
economic differences in all segments in the of animals for traits that are important from non-replacement calves through the post-
beef supply chain. This index is a combination conception through weaning. Expressed weaning phase of production. GM places
of the breeding objectives modeled in the as dollars per head born, HB is calculated selection pressure on growth, feedyard
HerdBuilder and GridMaster selection indexes. based on the scenario that bulls are mated performance and carcass traits. Expressed as
In this index, replacement heifers are retained to heifers and cows, replacement heifers dollars per head born, GM is calculated based
from within the herd and all remaining are retained and all remaining progeny are on the scenario that progeny are fed out to
progeny are fed out to slaughter and sold on a marketed at weaning. Traits included in the slaughter and marketed on a quality-based
quality-based grid. Traits included in this index HB index include Calving Ease Direct, Calving carcass grid. Traits included in GM include
include calving ease, growth, HPG, STAY, Ease Maternal, Weaning Weight, Milk, Mature Average Daily Gain, Carcass Weight, Dry
Mature Weight, Dry Matter Intake and carcass Weight, Heifer Pregnancy and Stayability Matter Intake, Marbling, Back Fat and Rib Eye
traits. The resulting index is expressed in (Index/High Value). Area (Index/High Value).
dollars per head born (Index/High Value).

CED .......Calving Ease Direct predicts differences in the percent of calves born CEM ......Calving Ease Maternal predicts differences in the percent of daughters
unassisted out of 2-year-old dams. (Percent/High Value) who are able to calve unassisted as 2-year-old heifers. (Percent/High Value)
BW ........Birth Weight predicts differences in actual birth weight of progeny. STAY......Stayability predicts differences in the ability of an animals’ retained
(Pounds/Low Value) daughters to remain productive in the herd – calve every year – through 6
years of age. (Percent/High Value)
WW .......Weaning Weight predicts differences in 205-day weaning weight.
(Pounds/High Value) MARB ....Marbling predicts differences in marbling score – amount of
intramuscular fat measured at the 13th rib. (Marbling Score Units/High Value)
YW ........Yearling Weight predicts differences in 365-day yearling weight.
(Pounds/High Value) YG .........Yield Grade predicts differences in USDA Yield Grade, which is
calculated using CW, REA and Fat. (Yield Grade Units/Low Value)
ADG .......Average Daily Gain predicts differences in weight gain between 205
and 365 days of age. (Pounds/High Value) CW ........Carcass Weight predicts differences in actual hot carcass weight.
(Pounds/High Value)
DMI .......Dry Matter Intake predicts differences in daily feed intake as measured
in a feedlot during the post-weaning period. (Pounds/Low Value) REA .......Ribeye Area predicts differences in square inches of ribeye area
measured at the 13th rib.(Square Inches/High Value)
MILK .....Milk predicts differences in weaning weight attributed to the milking
ability of the animal’s daughters. (Pounds/High Value) FAT ........Fat predicts differences in the depth of backfat measured between the
12th and 13th ribs. (Inches/Low Value)
ME ........Maintenance Energy predicts the difference in maintence energy
requirements. (Mcal per Month/Low Value)
HPG .......Heifer Pregnancy predicts differences in the percent of daughters
who are able to conceive and calve at 2 years of age following exposure to
breeding. (Percent/High Value)

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