David Mullins
Association Perspective
Life beyond EPDs.
The American Angus Association and its members benefit from possessing the largest and most informative data base in the entire beef industry. Furthermore, the advantages of having an innovative staff that has embraced the most up-to-date technologies and utilized advancements in science, such as expected progeny differences (EPDs) that have been enhanced by genomics, has allowed for the development of more than 25 highly reliable EPDs and dollar value indexes ($Values). These genetic predictions, when evaluated and utilized properly by purebred breeders and their commercial customers, provide a great deal of information and assist in achieving profitability within their respective cow herds.
As valuable and highly respected as EPDs are, there are several economically important phenotypic traits that cannot be evaluated through the use of performance data. Two phenotypic traits that play a significant role in beef production are (1) structural soundness, more specifically proper/good feet on herd sires and replacement females; and (2) udder structure and quality among replacement females.
When a commercial breeder selects a herd sire to purchase, he or she should have confidence that their purchase is sound enough in his structural makeup that he can be turned out with cows and that he will remain sound for multiple breeding seasons, thus spreading out the financial investment over a longer period of time. Additionally, sons and daughters may be kept as replacements within the breeding program, placing greater importance on structural integrity.
The issue of udder quality and structure is another of significant importance. Obviously, teat size and length and udder attachment affect a newborn calf's ability to nurse and the number of years a cow can remain in production. With rising input costs, longevity, or "sustainability," of a female within a herd is extremely important.
Knowing many of you reading this understand the importance of these traits, I hope this serves as a reminder and maybe even encourages you to take time to evaluate the cow herd of your bull supplier. If possible, see and evaluate the mother and siblings to your prospective herd sire.
In summary, by no means am I encouraging you to ignore EPDs and performance data, but after evaluating and assembling your "short list" of potential bulls, I just encourage you to keep in mind the value associated with these other phenotypic traits.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager David Mullins covers Region 7, including the states of Delaware, Maryland, New England States, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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