Page 34 - Loonan Stock Farm – Feb. 4, 2023

A Look At Frame Score

One frame score equals roughly 2” in hip height.
We have agreed with our bull buyers for several years that Some by more than a full frame score.
the frame scores calculated for our catalog using the BIF Note: We hear a lot about the need for uniformity in beef cat-
formula seem unrealistically low. The bulls grow out bigger tle. Frame size measurement is not an exact science, but we
than that. For 2000-2004, we re-measured the bulls in March do believe the uniformity in the entire Loonan program, along
and compared that to the original frame score based on De- with the natural fleshing ability, is why calves by Loonan bulls
cember measurements. In all cases the frame scores went up. excel on the rail.
About The Catalog

RED ANGUS has four categories of registered Red Angus. SIMMENTAL has a complete upgrading program from the
1A – Purebred 100% Red Angus with no disqualifying half-blood to the purebred.
characteristics.
1B – 87% to 99% Red Angus with no disqualifying POLLED: P = Polled
characteristics. P/S = Polled/Scurred,
II – 86% or greater Red Angus blood, also 1A and 1B DP = Double Polled (both parents polled)
animals that are disqualified because of scurs, white in H = Horned
front of navel, etc. Multiple sire animals (more than one
purebred bull in pasture) are also Category II.
III – Less than 87% Red Angus blood.
EPDs (Expected Progeny Difference)

Simmental data is from the American Simmental Association. Red Angus data is from the Red Angus Association of America. Growth and
carcass EPDs are configured on the same common multi-breed base.
EPDs in the catalog are current as of this fall. When new data is processed by the associations, these figures will be updated and adjusted
and the EPDs on your registration papers may not be the same as those available at sale time due to new data at the association.
EPD Terms MM – Maternal Milk EPD – Simmental or M – Milk EPD – Red Angus
CE-h – Calving Ease Heifer: Expected increase or decrease in weaning weight of daughters of this bull
Simmental: Expected ease with which calves sired by the bull will be born to due to milk production compared to breed average. Note: Data on this trait is
first-calf heifers. Highest (+) figures mean more unassisted births. Lowest (-) limited, and, in many instances, has low accuracy.
figures mean less unassisted births. Marb – Marbling EPD
Red Angus: Expresses calving ease as CED (Calving Ease Direct). We have Predicts differences for carcass marbling score as expressed in marbling score
ranked each bull one-, two- or three-star based on the best information we units. Higher marbling scores are positively correlated with higher carcass
have available on the individual and close relatives. grades.
*** Should produce few calving problems when bred to REA – Ribeye Area EPD
first-calf heifers. Predicts differences of carcass rib eye area between the 12th and 13th rib. Ri-
** Should work well on growthy heifers and cows. beye area is positively correlated with carcass yield grade which also considers
* Recommended for use on cows only. fat thickness and carass weights.
BW – Birth Weight EPD FAT or BF– Backfat EPD
Expected birth weight of calves sired by this bull. Heavier (+) or lighter (-) than Predicts differences for carcass fat depth over the 12th rib as expressed in
“0” EPD animals are expressed in pounds. The BW EPD takes into account inches. Fat thickness is negatively correlated with carcass yield grade which
the genetics of the sire and dam and the actual birth weight of this bull. We also considers ribeye area and carcass weights.
weigh all calves on a spring scale within 24 hours of birth. We do not estimate API Index – All-Purpose Index – Simmental
any birth weights. Some calves born late on pasture are not weighed and are API evaluates sires being used on the entire cowherd (bred to both Angus first-
reported as UNK (unknown). calf heifers and mature cows) with a portion of their daughters being retained
WW – Weaning Weight EPD for breeding and steers and remaining heifers being put on feed and sold on
Expected weaning weight of this bull’s calves, heavier (+) or lighter (-) than an grade and yield.
animal with a “0” EPD are expressed in pounds. Weaning weight EPD takes TI Index – Terminal Index – Simmental
into account the genetics inherited from the sire and dam in addition to the TI is designed for evaluating sires’ economic merit in situations where they are
actual 205-day weaning weight of the individual. bred to mature Angus cows and all offspring are placed in the feedlot and sold
YW – Yearling Weight EPD on grade and yield.
Expected weight of this bull’s calves at 365 days of age, expressed in pounds, HB Index – HerdBuilder Index – Red Angus
heavier (+) or lighter (-) than an animal with a “0” EPD. HB will assist in building profitable cowherds with bulls mated to both heifers
MCE-h – Maternal Calving Ease EPD of first-calf heifer and mature cows, replacement heifers retained in the herd and remaining
Simmental: Expected ease with which this bull’s daughters calve as first calf- progeny sold on a quality-based carcass grid.
heifers. Larger positive figures indicate a higher percent of unassisted births GM Index – GridMaster Index – Red Angus
(MCEc - cow). GM will increase profitablity with bulls mated to mature cows and all progeny
STAY – Stayability EPD – Red Angus sold on a quality-based carcass grid.
Predicts the probability of a bull’s daughters remaining productive until at least Red SimAngus™ –
six years of age. The Red Angus Association of America and American Simmental Association
ME – Maintenance Energy EPD – Red Angus have worked together to build a multi-breed database that includes SimAn-
The ME EPD predicts differences in energy requirements of mature daughters gus™. In the catalog, I have used the Association for the sire of each calf to
of an individual and is expressed in Mega-calories per month. publish as long as available.
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