Utilizing genetic traits can improve commercial herds
Expected Progeny Difference (EPDs) can be beneficial when choosing bulls on commercial cattle operations.
Genetic traits are important for commercial producers, just like in a purebred operation, even if commercial cows do not have EPDs.
EPDs are expected differences that show carcass, maternal, and performance traits that a specific animal has.
When breeding commercial cattle, knowing the genetic information of the sire is helpful.
When breeders know this genetic information, it allows breeders to know what genetic qualities that the sire has and how those traits will affect their herd. The sire affects the genetics of the offspring, so it is important for producers to be familiar with EPD’s so producers can get the most from their herds.
“EPDs are very important to commercial cattle operations. Breeders will use EPD’s in the selection of their breeding stock. They use them to match the bulls they bring in with the qualities of their own herd,” said Benton County Extension CEA Staff Chair Johnny Gunsaulis.
Using a bull that will complement the genetics qualities that the cows have, allows for a herd to possibly be more profitable. This also depends on the market at the time, and what you plan to do with the calves.
“First, they should consider what the market will be for their calves when they sell them and then choose breeding stock that have EPD’s that favor their production system,” Gunsaulis said.
Every producer is different and has different goals for an operation.
For example, if a producer wants to grow big calves to sell at the sale barn, they should check which breed and which bulls focus on growth traits that could aid in the growth of the offspring.
Different breeds focus on different things when it comes to genetics. Depending on the specific kind of traits that the breeder wants to emphasize in his or her herd, comparing bulls from different breeds can be beneficial.
Every breed association is different when it comes to EPDs. They all have different number scales that they use to determine if the genetic trait is good or bad.
“When comparing bulls of different breeds, it’s important to know that there are some differences between how breeds calculate their EPDs, so the numbers from an Angus bull are not directly comparable to a Simmental bull for example,” Gunsaulis said.
The differences between these breeds can make EPDs difficult to understand, but there are resources that are available to everyone that help producers compare the numbers between breeds and sires. Breed associations have resources available that will aid in comparing bulls from different breeds.
