B75 EPDS and Genetics
Online Worksheet
Name: ___________________________________
How to access the Beef Manual
Go to www.infovets.com
On the left hand column click on Manuals Online
User Name:
Password:
Click on Beef Manual & Database
Click on “Click here to continue to Beef Manual”
Date: ________________
Once you are in the Beef Manual
On the left hand column click on Section A: Herd Health Management
Scroll down to A712 Reproductive Management
Read the information and answer the following questions.
1. Goals: Reasonable goals for beef producers are to have a ___________ % calf crop
every year and a _________ day or less calving season. Calves should weigh
________lbs + at 205 days, and gain about ________ lbs. per day in a feed lot
situation. A steer under intensive production should weigh _____________ lbs + at 365
days. The information that follows can help achieve these goals.
2. Breeding Stock Selection: The decision on what animals to use or keep as
replacement animals is a critical one. The animal’s reproductive history and
reproductive potential should be major considerations when making a buy, cull, or keep
decision. Because this decision is such a critical one, it should be based on sound
___________________ information.
3. List the four sources statistical information can come from.
1.
2.
3.
4.
4. List six areas where EPD performance records are provided.
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
5. The term Expected Progeny Difference (EPD), is a measure of the ______________
difference in traits the _______________ from one sire or dam will have when
compared to others in the ________________breed. For example, a bull with a +50 lbs.
yearling weight EPD will produce yearling calves weighing 50 lbs. more than a bull with
a yearling weight EPD of 0.0 lb. The other item to consider when evaluating EPDs is the
____________________ or reliability of the EPD values. The accuracy is reported as a
low of 0.0 to a high of 1.00. The __________________ the number, the
more_________________________ the sire or dam will produce the indicated EPD in
the traits of their offspring.
6. Heritability Estimates:
Trait
Heritability
Fertility
Calving ease
Birth weight
Weaning weight
Average daily gain
Feed efficiency
Weaning grade
7. Why are on farm records important?
8. Look at the equation and example on how to calculate the adjusted 205 day weaning
weight and calculate the adjusted 205 day weaning weight for the following calf:
Adjusted Weaning Weight Formula
[(Weaning wt - birth wt*) / (age in days) X 205]+ birth wt + adjustment for age of the
dam**
Problem:
Year born
2003
Date Born
2/23
Sex
M
Birth weight Weaning Weight
75lbs
510lbs
Age at weaning
210 Days
What is the adjusted 205 weaning weight? (Show your work.)___________________
Weight adjustments for age of the dam (used for calculating adj. 205-day wts.)
Age of cow
For female calves add:
For male calves add:
2 Years
54 lbs
60 lbs
3 Years
36 lbs
40 lbs
4 Years
18 lbs
20 lbs
5-10 Years
0 lbs
0 lbs
11 or greater Years
18 lbs
20 lbs
9. What would the weaning weight ratio be for the calf in problem 8 if the herd weaning
weight average for bull calves were 492 pounds?
10. Calculate the adjusted yearling weight for the following calf.
Formula: [160 X (Actual yearling wt - actual weaning wt) / number of days between
weights] + adjusted 205-day wt
Age When
Weaned
Weaning
Weight
210 days
510 lbs
205 Day Adj.
Weaning Weight
520 lbs
Yearling
Age when
Weight
Weighted
1086 lbs
369 days
What is the adjusted 205 weaning weight? (Show your work!)___________________
11. What is the yearling weight ratio if the average yearling weight for steers out of this
herd was 993 pounds?
12. From the information collected in table 2, what conclusions can be made about this
cow and her offspring?
Summarize Findings
1. Female calves:
2. Male calves:
3. Average yearling weight ratios for both male and females:
13. What are the three components of a breeding soundness evaluation?
1.
2.
3.
14. What are these two slides illustrating?
15. What are five things that are considered in a semen evaluation?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
16. Why is scrotal circumference important?
17. List four other characteristics that should be considered when evaluating a bull for
breeding soundness.
1.
2.
3.
4.
18. When evaluating a female cow for reproductive soundness, a thorough physical
exam should be performed. This includes a rectal palpation to evaluate the four main
parts of the reproductive tract. They are the:
1.
2.
3.
4.
19. What is a “freemartin” heifer?
20. List five other factors besides the reproductive tract that should be examined when
selecting replacement heifers?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
21. Define hybrid vigor.