Understanding the Numbers A Note about Our Catalog

Our catalog looks different than others you receive. When an animal is registered and DNA tested, the AAA generates more than 40 EPDs and combined trait indexes. We don’t print all those numbers here for simplicity. If you are interested in going deeper into a bull’s pedigree and EPD profile, you can access more information by entering their registration number or name at Angus.org, or get in touch and we will find you the numbers you would like to advance your program.

Think of the parameters and goals you have for your herd before you discount or elevate a young sire. Not every number is pertinent to every herd. Below is an explanation of the numbers in this sale book.

Production & Growth EPDs

CED – Calving Ease Direct EPD is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births that predicts the ease in which a sire’s calves will be born when he is bred to first calf heifers. A higher CED value equals greater calving ease in first calf heifers.

Milk – Maternal Milk EPD is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk in his daughters in comparison to daughters of other sires.

BW – Birth Weight EPD expressed in pounds, is a predictor of that sire’s ability to transmit birth weight to his progeny in comparison to that of other sires.

WW – Weaning Weight EPD expressed in pounds, is a predictor of that sire’s ability to transmit weaning growth in comparison to the progeny of other sires.

YW – Yearling Weight EPD expressed in pounds, is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit yearling growth in comparison to the progeny of other sires.

CEM – Calving Ease Maternal is expressed as a difference in percentage of unassisted births with a higher value indicating greater calving ease in first-calf daughters. It predicts the average ease with which a sire’s daughters will calve as first-calf heifers when compared to daughters of other sires.

HP – Heifer Pregnancy is a selection tool to predict fertility to increase the probability or chance of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant as first-calf heifers during a normal breeding season. A higher EPD is the more favorable direction. An HP EPD of 15.0 is in the top 20% of Angus sires.

Carcass EPDs

CW – Carcass Weight EPD expressed in pounds, is a predictor in the difference in size of the hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny compared to that of other sires.

Marb – Marbling EPD expressed as a fraction of the difference in USDA marbling score of a sire’s progeny compared to that of other sires.

REA – Rib Eye Area EPD expressed in square inches, is a predictor of the difference in rib eye area of a sire’s progeny compared to that of other sires.

Fat – Fat Thickness EPD expressed in inches, is a predictor of the differences in external fat thickness at the 12th rib of a sire’s progeny compared to that of other siress.

Dna

DNA testing on all bulls performed by AGI, Neogen Angus GS. All bulls are parentage verified and BVD-PI negative.

Potential carriers of the DD (non-lethal) condition have been tested. If a bull is a DD carrier, it is noted as DDC beside his registration number in this catalog. No carriers of the lethal conditions OS, AM, NH or CA sell.

*GE-EPDs in the catalog are as of January 26, 2023.

To get the most updated and complete EPDs and 3-generation pedigree on each animal, go to Angus.org. In the search bar, enter the bull’s registration number (located under the bull’s name in this catalog).

The Powered By Angus logo in our sale book means that each bull in the offering is registered and backed by the power of data, programs and pedigrees of the American Angus Association. The unique AAA registration number is located directly under the lot number and name in this catalog.

Every bull in the offering has been DNA tested with Angus GS. After the tests were performed, Angus Genetics Incorporated, AGI, shared the results with the American Angus Association, generating genomic-enhanced EPDs. The GE-EPDs in this offering give a number the same accuracy as if the unproven animal had recorded 8 to 33 calves, depending on the trait.