Source: Canadian Angus Association
The new traits include:
Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG)
Docility EPD
Heifer Pregnancy EPD
Mature Weight EPD
Claw Set EPD and Foot Angle EPD
Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG) – Feed costs make up a significant proportion of operation costs and feed efficiency is heritable (estimated heritability is 35%). Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG) is a measure of an animal’s genetic ability for growth (post weaning gain) on a constant amount of feed. This new RADG EPD will help you identify animals that can grow more on a constant amount of feed. The higher the EPD the more pounds post weaning growth you can expect from an animal on the same amount of feed, in comparison to another animal or the breed average.
Docility EPD – Docility is associated with better production and easier handling. Docility in Angus is estimated to be 44% heritable. The new Docility EPD is a measure of yearling cattle temperament, where higher numbers on parent animals indicate more docility in their calves.
Heifer Pregnancy EPD – Heifer Pregnancy EPD is a selection tool to increase the probability of a sire’s daughters becoming pregnant at first exposure. A higher HPG EPD number indicates higher probability of pregnancy. Fertility is one of the biggest impacts on profitability and sustainability in beef production. Heifer pregnancy is estimated to be 15% heritable and can therefore be selected for successfully.
Mature Weight EPD – Mature Weight EPD is a measure of a sire’s genetic potential for mature weight of daughters.
Claw Set EPD and Foot Angle EPD – Claw Set EPD will be an indicator of genetic potential for claw set on progeny, a lower number will indicate a more ideal claw set. Foot Angle EPD will measure genetic potential for foot angle, where the ideal is a 45-degree angle at the pastern joint with appropriate toe length and heel depth. A lower number EPD is more favourable, indicating that a sire will produce progeny with more ideal foot angle. Foot structure is approximately 25% heritable in Angus and can be selected for successfully.
