Raising bulls for breeding9/27/2023 The fastest genetic progress is made with sire selection. The index includes heifer fertility traits to help improve reproductive efficiency.ĭoes the bull or the cow make a bigger genetic difference? Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M): This index is designed for farms that raise their own replacements and includes traits to reflect profitability from conception to weaning.The index assumes retained ownership and grid-marketed animals. Beef Value ($B): This index is designed to predict post-weaning feedlot performance and carcass traits.The index should identify differences in profitability pre-weaning. Weaned Calf Value ($W): This index is designed for cow/calf farms that will keep replacements from their calf crop and sell cull females and male calves around the time of weaning.Use these indexes in combination with your operation’s goals when making sire or dam selections rather than using single traits alone. The terminology for these indexes is not the same between breeds and farmers should read the definitions carefully. Many breeds have indexes that combine EPD traits using specific formulas for each segment of the industry or different farmer goals.
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