New maternal EPDs offer insight, opportunities for cattle industry

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and the Angus breed is setting out to solve the age old question: Which breed of cattle produce the best mothers? By the end of the month, we may just begin to have our answer. 

The American Angus Association has the most comprehensive genomic database, which has allowed producers to review an animal’s expected progeny differences (EPDs) and select matings that best suit, or will improve their herd. Not only does this allow producers to easily and rapidly breed for selected traits, but the EPDs are incredibly accurate. The American Angus Association updates their database on a weekly basis, allowing producers to make informed decisions that reflect an animal’s performance, and by association, their progeny’s performances in real-time. 

At the end of May, the American Angus Association will be releasing three new EPDs that can be used to quantify desirable maternal characteristics within your herd. Functional longevity (FL), teat size (TEAT) and udder suspension (UDDR) will round out the new EPDs, and also will be utilized within the $values indexes determinations. Let’s take a closer look at these new metrics. 

There’s nothing quite as stressful as preg-check day at a ranch. A rancher’s livelihood depends on the number of calves they will have on the ground the next year, ensuring the short-term stability of their operation. Now, with the FL EPD, ranchers will be able to look beyond the short-term and identify sires that will produce daughters who raise a calf year after year. A higher EPD value will indicate that a sire’s daughter will produce more calves by the age of six than a lower EPD value. Many maternal traits have a lower heritability, and functional longevity is no different. However, this new tool will still provide producers with new information that will support more rapid advancement within the Black Angus breed. 

The new TEAT and UDDR EPDs will serve to round out the Milk EPD already existing within the Angus system. Productive females that raise heavy calves are the cornerstone of a successful operation. Both new EPDs will be scored on a scale of 1- 9 where the lower figure represents large and irregular teats and udders and a 9 represents small or tight characteristics. These scores are visually assessed by the producer within 24 hours of a female calving. Unlike the FL EPD, both the TEAT and UDDR traits are relatively heritable at 0.32 and 0.28 respectively. 

At Kinger Cattle Company, we look forward to reporting on these new traits within our herd. Not only do we value the opportunities this creates as we work to advance the Black Angus breed, but also the decision making tool it provides for our customers. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all things happening within the registered Black Angus industry.