Jared Murnin
Association Perspective
Added predictability
It is time once again for commercial producers to make one of the biggest decisions about their operation. It is time to purchase the next new herd sire for the upcoming breeding season. Bull selection is a very important decision for the direction of your cow herd. A bull can sire 15-30 calves per year, so they can have a huge effect on your genetic base and, ultimately, your profitability. This decision should not be taken lightly.
The American Angus Association and its members have led the beef industry in providing the most predictable genetic selection tools. Angus breeders have worked tirelessly to take weights and turn in data to build the largest, most powerful database known to beef producers, with more than 19 million records. These records are what go into the expected progeny differences (EPDs). What this means to you is less guesswork about the future performance of your new Angus bull.
Again, the Association is leading the way in genetic selection tools with the use of DNA. The new term you will now hear is genomically enhanced EPDs (GE EPDs). Angus breeders now have the option to profile DNA from their cattle and this information is also included in the calculation of EPDs to add a new level of predictability for economically important traits. Non-parent bulls with GE EPDs will have a higher accuracy. Ultimately, this means fewer surprises about the future performance of your new herd sire's calves.
When you open a sale book this spring that mentions GE EPDs, you will see the added predictability of this new selection tool available to the beef industry.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Jared Murnin covers Region 1, including the states of New Mexico and Texas. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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