Understanding Cattle Data

Professor N. Nelson

Blue Mountain Agriculture College

Data Used in Cattle Selection Actual Performance Data Herd Ratios Contemporary Ratios Expected Progeny Differences Indexes Cross Breed EPD’s

Actual Performance Birth Weight Weaning Weight

Adj. 205 day weight Yearling Weight

Adj. 365 day weight Average Daily Gain

Based on test Weight per day of Age

From birth to current date Frame Score Scrotal Measurement

Comparison of two bull calves

Calf 1101 Calf 1163

Wean Wt.= 678lb BW= 78lb Mother is 6yrs Age = 210days

Wean Wt.= 515lb BW= 66lb Mother is 3yrs Age= 170days

Herd Ratios Birth Weight Milk Frame Growth Udder Score Body Condition Score Frame Score MPPA

MPPA (Most Probable Producing Ability)

Herd Ratio Comparison (What is each cows MPPA?)

Black Baldy 98 (4calves)

Red Baldy 102 (2calves)

Frame 5 Udder 7 Milk 7 BCS 5 BW 95 WW 95 YW 100

Frame 6.5 Udder 5 Milk 6 BCS 6 BW 100 WW 110 YW 108

108

Contemporary Ratios Only measured in a contemporary group

Same Sex, Sire, Environment Base score is 100

Below 100 is lower performing or weight (BW) Above 100 is high performing

Can be used on every EPD trait (Typically Growth)

Ratios for two Simmental Bull CalvesWhat is the WW ratio for each bull?

Bull 123 Bull 124

BW 78lb WWt 715lb W.age

211day Dam Age 7yrs Group Avg Wt

680lb

BW 75lb WWt 723lb W.age

203day Dam Age

11yrs Group Avg Wt

680lb

102 110

EPD’s Most accurate genetic predictor to date Base upon the 3 P’s

Pedigree’s data (parents, grand parents, etc.) Performance (individuals data) Progeny (offspring's data)

Can only be measured between animals in the same breed

Comparison of Two Brangus Bulls

Across-Breed EPD Adjustments

Calculate data Breeding Red Angus to Black Angus

RA 0.2, 45, 84, 18

BA 1.2, 54, 98, 36

Offspring= 2.1, 46.9,

91.4, 25