Expected Progeny Differences or EPD’s have been around quite a while and they have proven to be very useful in helping determine the potential value of a herd sire to a set of mamma cows. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with Express Ranches President Jarold Callahan ahead of their annual spring bull sale featuring over 500 Angus bulls and 34 Hereford bulls. Callahan said one set of EPD numbers that may be very useful to producers are the dollar ($) value EPDs, known has bio-economic indexes.
For example, the Beef value index ($Beef) takes into account carcass weight, residual average daily gain (RADG), marbling and ribeye. Callahan said this is basically a terminal index. The Weaned Calf Value ($W) takes into account reproduction, as well as the weaning weight EPD. He thinks all bull buyers should be looking at ($W) and for those that take their cattle through the feeder and feedlot phase they should also be looking at ($Beef) as well.
EPD’s are a valuable part of any breeding program, but Callahan said EPD’s do not look at things like structural correctness, balance or phenotype, yet a high percentage of the cattle in the U.S. are bought and sold in part on their appearance. This year, Express Ranches exhibited the Grand Champion Angus Carload at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. In their spring bull sale, these bulls will be sold as Lots one through 11. Express Ranches also won the youngest age division in the Angus pen bull show.
Cattle prices are off their highs, but Callahan said for producers that want to succeed there is still profitability to be made. That’s especially true for those that want to continually improve the genetics of their herd. He thinks the cattle business looks bright and he thinks cow-calf producers can still make a profit. He also believes there will always be demand for good genetics.
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