|
Eastern NE KS | The whole idea of EPD is to predict potential phenotypic differences among breeding stock. These data allows a producer to fit his herd to the local environment. It is up to the stock manager to make these choices.
For example, Angus Milk epd can have individual bulls with epd values anywhere from 10 to 45. In my herd and under my current feeding practice, a daugher from a bull with 40+ milk epd often failed to re breed when nursing her 1st or 2nd calf.
Realizing this, I try to pick sires with a more moderate milk epd in a range of 20-30. Working with predictions gives me a tool to set up my replacements for long term success.
Generally, I see the march to ever higher growth ends is shifting to more moderate values as well. Higher performance requires higher quantity/quality of inputs. But some of these inputs cross a line of being uneconomical to certain operations, These managers can choose breeding stock that better fit their situation. | |
|
Epd question
