1. Expected Progeny Differences Cattle Selection Using Genetic Data Nick Nelson Blue Mountain Community College

2. Background EPD’s were started in the 1970’s and were established on all Beef Breeds of cattle by 1984 Before EPD’s, Cattlemen used “Herd Ratios” as a record keeping system on their cattle. Herd Ratio’s cannot be measured from one ranchers cattle to another ranchers cattle, because of differences in genetics, climate, and region.

3. EPD’s are the most accurate means of records that we have! Expected Progeny Differences are based on the “3 P’s” 1.Pedigree—The parents performance 2.Progeny—The offsprings performance 3.Performance—The individual’s performance Data is collected from all animals among the 3 P’s to make an EPD

4. The Gist of EPD’s Each breed has their own set of standards and breed averages You cannot compare data of a Hereford bull and data from a Angus Bull

5. The Gist of EPD’s Data can only be measured between animals in the same breed Artificial Insemination has assisted in the use of EPD’s, because sires are frequently used by many people and have thousands of offspring each year making genetic data very accurate.

6. Typical EPD’s Birth Weight—measured in pounds Weaning Weight—pounds Yearling Weight—pounds Milk—pounds Total Maternal—pounds (1/2 of WW + Milk) Stayabilility—years Gestation—days Intramuscular fat Rib Eye Area – size of the ribeye in square inches Backfat – amount of backfat in inches

7. Example The Red Angus Breed Average of all animals within the breed are: BWWWYWMilkTM 0.726341225 You Decide to use a Red Angus bull with EPD’s of: BWWWYWMilkTM 2.032481531 The EPD’s tell you that compared to the Breed Avg. your bull is going to have calves that are going to be 1.3 pounds heavier at birth (2.0- 0.7). Calves that are 8 pounds heavier at weaning, and 14 pounds heavier at Yrlg, and your bull should have daughters that produce 3 pounds more milk than the average

8. Selection Quiz BWWWYWMilk Bull A: 4.5385916 Bull B: -0.5324721 Which Bull will you choose for Heifers? Which Bull will you choose for growth?

9. Livestock Auction using EPD’s Students break into teams of two-Ranch Manager and the Ranch Owner Students will get a loan from the Instructor to buy bulls/boars (Do not show your loan to someone else, they may outbid you!) Students will select bulls/boars they want to buy based on the phenotype (physical appearance) and genotype (genetic data) Each animal will be given a dollar amount based on their performance and semen sales—Only one Jackpot and one loser animal per species

10. Bull #1 NYACK BWWWYWMilk -1.0224520 Bull #2 LOGAN BWWWYWMilk 0.0255123

11. Bull #3 VAQUERO BWWWYWMilk -.9344414 Bull #4 DRIFTER BWWWYWMilk -2.1244813

12. Bull #5 GRAND CANYON BWWWYWMilk 1.2357523 Bull #6 HIGH CAPACITY BWWWYWMilk 4.4487821

13. #7 – Ironman LBSBFTSIDays/250 4-0.4110-7 #8 – Oh Yeah LBSBFTSIDays/250 10.1952

14. #9 – In Like Flint LBSBFTSIDays/250 2-0.1100-2 #10 – Gold Belt LBSBFTSIDays/250 50.6907

15. #11 – Got Me? LNM$LFMLCMEDBH 55037547510% #12 – Homogenized, Not Stirred LNMLFMLCMEDBH 5756003006%

16. #13 – Not Yo’ Momma LNM$LFMLCMEDBH 45037547512% #14 – Whole Milk (If You Wanted) LNMLFMLCMEDBH 6756054506%

17. The Results Bull 1Generates $5000 for Ranch Bull 2Generates $10,500 for Ranch Bull 3Generates $2000 for Ranch Bull 4 Generates $3000 for Ranch Bull 5Generates $25,000 for Ranch Bull 6Generates $1000 for Ranch Calculate Loss or Gain dollars generated - dollars spent

18. The Results Boar 7Generates $5,000 for Farm Boar 8Generates $2,000 for Farm Boar 9Generates $3,000 for Farm Boar 10 Generates $500 for Farm Calculate Loss or Gain dollars generated - dollars spent

19. The Results Bull 11Generates $5000 for Dairy Bull 12Generates $10,500 for Dairy Bull 13Generates $1000 for Dairy Bull 14 Generates $15,000 for Dairy Calculate Loss or Gain dollars generated - dollars spent