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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Genetics and Animal Breeding » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #227604
Title: Mean EPDs reported by different breeds

Author
item Kuehn, Larry
item Thallman, Richard - Mark

Submitted to: Beef Improvement Federation Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/10/2008
Publication Date: 6/30/2008
Citation: Kuehn, L.A., Thallman, R.M. 2008. Mean EPDs reported by different breeds. In: Proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation 40th Research Symposium and Annual Meeting, June 30 to July 3, 2008, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. p. 75-77.

Interpretive Summary: Beef cattle genetic evaluations result in expected progeny differences (EPDs), which can be used to select animals for growth, productivity, carcass composition, and, most recently, economic value. Breed averages allow producers to compare the genetic value of potential breed stock against their breed average. This report summarizes the average EPDs from the most recent genetic evaluations of 21 different breeds. These averages should only be used to determine the genetic merit of an animal relative to its breed average; across-breed adjustment factors have been calculated and reported in a separate paper.

Technical Abstract: Beef cattle genetic evaluations result in expected progeny differences (EPDs), which can be used to select animals for growth, productivity, carcass composition, and, most recently, economic value. Breed averages allow producers to compare the genetic value of potential breed stock against their breed average. This report summarizes the average EPDs from the most recent genetic evaluations of 21 different breeds. These averages should only be used to determine the genetic merit of an animal relative to its breed average; across-breed adjustment factors have been calculated and reported in a separate paper.