1. What is an EPD? Expected Progeny Difference
“the differences in performance expected from the offspring of one individual compared to the offspring of another individual, within the same breed”
Ensminger and Perry, 1997

2. Birth Weight EPD Indicates calving ease Measured in pounds of calf
Expected birth weight difference of calves, excluding maternal influence
Johnson, 1997

3. Weaning Weight EPD
Indicates growth performance at weaning (205 day weight)
Measured in pounds of calf
Johnson, 1997

4. Yearling Weight EPD
Indicates post-weaning performance (365 day weight)
Measured in pounds of calf
Johnson, 1997

5. Milk EPD Measured in pounds of weaning weight produced by daughters
Excludes genetics for growth
Johnson, 1997

6. Total Maternal EPD Calculated as follows: 1/2 weaning weight EPD
+ all of the milk
Total Maternal EPD
Johnson, 1997

7. Scrotal Circumference EPD
Measured in centimeters
Indicates fertility and age at puberty of offspring
Johnson, 1997

8. Carcass EPDs Carcass Weight (Pounds of carcass)
Marbling (USDA marbling degrees)
Ribeye Area (Square inches)
Fat thickness (Inches)
Johnson, 1997

9. Accuracy Measures reliability of EPDs.
Young animals without a lot of offspring have lower accuracy
Animals with lots of offspring will have higher accuracy
Johnson, 1997

10. EPD Cautions Not comparable between breeds, only within a breed
Average breed EPDs do not equal zero, look them up in latest sire summary for the breed
Johnson, 1997

11. EPD Cautions EPDs do NOT predict absolute performance
The biggest is not always the best - use to fit animals to the environment (scenario)
Examples - milk and growth
Johnson, 1997

12. Breed Average EPDs
Johnson, 1997