Understanding EPDs and Genomic

Testing in Beef Cattle

EPD accuracy is improved if DNA is available. These calculations are known as a

Genomic-enhanced EPD (GE-EPD). This article will walk you through how to use EPDs
to improve your beef herd.
Expected progeny differences (EPDs) have been applied to
improve the genetics of beef cattle for almost four decades.
Expected progeny differences are predictions of the genetic
transmitting ability of a parent to its offspring and are used to
make selection decisions for traits desired in the herd. For a given
trait, EPD values are calculated based on data submitted by
producers to breed associations from an animal's actual
performance, performance of progeny, performance of other
relatives, and genomic data (DNA analysis, if available).
When DNA information is available, EPD accuracy is improved,
and these calculations are referred to as a Genomic-enhanced EPD
(GE-EPD). Thus, in addition to pedigree, performance and
progeny data, GE-EPDs utilize genomic test for increased
reliability of an animal's EPD (Eenennaam and Drake, 2012; Rolf
et al., 2014). Selecting a sire based on desired traits can help you meet the
goals for your beef cattle operation.

Source: American Angus Association

Combined with all available sources of information, GE-EPDs are the best estimate of an animal's genetic value as a parent.
Genomics permit better accuracies for younger animals and allows a clear picture of genetic traits of interest, especially those that
are expensive to measure such as feed efficiency, carcass traits in breeding stock, reproductive traits or maternal traits in bulls.
 When a producer buys a young bull that has GE-EPDs, he is buying with the same level of confidence in that animal as one that has
already sired between 10 and 36 calves, depending on the trait. In this way, GE-EPDs increase accuracy in those animals much
earlier in their lives. With all these benefits, keep in mind that genomically-enhancing the EPDs does not change how the EPD can
be used, it just increases its accuracy.
Table 1. Progeny Equivalents (PE) – Carcass trait PE equate to actual carcass harvest data, not ultrasound scan equivalents.

Trait PE
Calving Ease Direct 26
Birth Weight 23
Weaning Weight 27
Yearling Weight 23
Dry Matter Intake 12
Yearling Height 17
Scrotal Circumference 15
Docility 12
Claw Angle 10
Foot Angle 10
Heifer Pregnancy 17
Calving Ease Maternal 20
Milk 36
Mature Weight 15
Mature Height 9
Carcass Weight 15
Carcass Marbling 11
Carcass Ribeye 17
Carcass Fat 14

Source: American Angus Association ( www.angus.org ).

EPD Accuracy
Accuracy (ACC) reflects the precision of a prediction for a given animal's EPD and provides us with a level of confidence for that
animal's genetic merit. Bulls with greater accuracy values may be called "proven sires."
The EPD prediction of genetic merit for a trait is the best indicator of expected performance of future progeny, which is expressed as
deviation from the population's base value. Recognizing that base values may be different among breeds is important; some breeds
use an average within a specific year, whereas other breeds use a nonspecific historical point.
To improve the accuracy of EPDs for younger bulls, producers may collect and submit DNA samples, which, depending on the trait,
may equates to about 10 progeny records for a sire with no other progeny records contributing to his EPDs. As more progeny data
are obtained for a sire, the relative contribution of genomic data to overall EPD accuracy is reduced.
The lack of confidence associated with EPDs on young cattle comes from not having progeny or performance data, both of which
increase the accuracy of the EPD. In young bulls, for example, most of their genetic value is based on their pedigree. As these
animals age and have offspring, we know more and more about their genetic merit. This increased confidence is denoted by an
increase in the accuracy value (0–1 scale) associated with each EPD. It does not necessarily mean that the EPD increases if accuracy
increases. It just means the EPD becomes closer to the true value, whether it increases or decreases. Remember that EPD stands for
expected progeny difference. Genotyping a young animal increases accuracy because SNP genotypes have similar value to evaluating
additional progeny.

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 How to Use EPDs
Before getting started with EPDs, producers should define their specific production goals first and then select based on the EPDs
that will best allow them to meet those production goals. For example, producers selling calves at weaning may prioritize EPDs
differently than producers wishing to retain heifers or producers wishing to retain ownership through the feedlot. Therefore,
producers should use EPDs based on the selection of breeding bulls that meet their personal production goals.
Here are some traits that can be used by those producers who sell the entire calf crop at weaning or following a backgrounding
phase:
• Birth Weight (BW);
• Calving Ease (CE) or Calving Ease Direct (CED);
• Weaning Weight (WW);
• Yearling Weight (YW).
Selecting for these traits adds ease to the beef producers daily workload, by attempting to reduce the number of assisted births, while
adding sale value (with weight) to those calves that will be sold as feeders.
For producers who retain replacement heifers, the following EPDs are often used in addition to the previous list:
• Calving Ease Total Maternal (CETM), Calving Ease Maternal (CEM) or Maternal Calving Ease (MCE);
• Milk Production (Milk) or Maternal Milk (MM);
• Total Maternal (TM), Maternal Weaning Weight (MWW) or Maternal Milk and Growth (M&G;);
• Mature Weight (MW) or Mature Cow Weight (MCW);
• Maintenance Energy (ME);
• Heifer Pregnancy (HP or HPG);
• Stayability (STAY);
• Mature Height (MH);
• Scrotal Circumference (SC or SCR).
These traits are all related to the predicting the success of replacement heifers at becoming valuable dams in the herd.
Producers who raise their own animals through the feedlot will often focus on the traits below, in addition to the maternal traits
previously mentioned:
• Carcass Weight (CW) or Hot Carcass Weight (HCW);
• Fat (Fat) or Back Fat (BF);
• Marbling (MB, MRB or MARB)
• Yield Grade (YG);
• Shear Force (SHR);
• Rib-Eye Area (REA or RE).
In this case, the traits selected are value traits for cattle marketed at the end of life.

Example 1 of Using EPDs for Bull Selection

In this example, a producer is looking for a Charolais bull to use on black Angus-influenced cows that have had at least two calves.
In this case, the producer is using the Charolais in what is called a terminal cross, all calves being sold at weaning or after a
backgrounding period for slaughter. The producer wishes to maintain calving ease and have the benefit of enhanced weight at the
time of sale. Based on the table below, which bull would be more appropriate for the stated purpose based on EPD values?
Table 1. Charolais bulls 1 for use on mature crossbred females.

Bull CE BW WW YW MCE MILK SCR CW REA FAT MARB

A 11.6 -4 27 58 3.9 23 1.1 20 0.66 0.041 0.18
B 2.9 3 59 99 2.2 1 2.1 49 0.96 0.041 0.22

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 Breed
Average 3.1 0.7 24.4 43.8 4 7.9 0.6 14.7 0.26 0.002 0.04

1 Bulls information retrieved from Select Sires Beef and Genex.

With the focus on this phase of production, emphasis should be given mainly to 3 traits: CE, BW, and WW. We are assuming that
these bulls are most likely young and have low accuracies, or are not proven.
Calving ease (CE) relates directly to the bull's pressure on birth weight. Bull B is expected, on average, to have 8.7 percent fewer
unassisted births when bred to 2-year-old heifers than Bull A (a disadvantage if breeding to heifers). Bull B has an expected birth
weight that would be 7 pounds heavier, on average, than Bull A. Thus, while clear that Bull A would be more appropriate for
breeding heifers, our producer is interested in breeding multiparous cows. Therefore, because bull B has a BW EPD that is only 2.3
lb. heavier than the breed average, the producer likely will want to put their emphasis on other traits. Examination of the WW EPD
indicated that Bull B would be expected to produce calves that are 32 pounds heavier at weaning, on average, than Bull A. This
difference is what usually drives sales and profits at weaning. Thus, if the producer decides to sell calves at weaning time, Bull B may
be the appropriate choice. In addition, while perhaps not as important if the producer sells at weaning, this producer may also want
to look at YW and some carcass traits when selecting their bulls. In this case the logic is that selling high quality calves at weaning
that will perform well around yearling age and through the feedlot may create a reputation of raising high-value calves that are
profitable for feedlot owners. Because this is a terminal cross, no heifers will be retained, and maternal traits can be ignored.

Selection by Index
Now, in addition to individual trait selection using EPDs, animals can also be selected on an "index". An economic index is a tool
used to select for several traits at once based on a specific breeding objective. An economic index approach considers genetic and
economic values as well as the relationships between traits to select for profit. When genetic improvement is desired for several
traits that may differ in variability, heritability, economic importance, and in the correlation among their phenotypes and
genotypes, simultaneous multiple-trait index selection has been more effective than independent culling levels or sequential
selection (Philipsson et al., 1994; Garrick and Golden, 2009).
These are some examples of the economic indices offered by breed associations. Each breed association has many more selection
indices and producers are encouraged to investigate these options.
From the American Angus Association (AAA, 2020):
• Beef Value ($B), an index value expressed in dollars per head, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance
for postweaning and carcass value.
• Combined Value ($C), expressed in dollars per head, is an index which includes all traits that make up both Maternal Weaned
Calf Value ($M) and Beef Value ($B) with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females
per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd.
From the American Hereford Association (AHA, 2020):
• Baldy Maternal Index (BMI$) is an index to maximize profit for commercial cow-calf producers who use Hereford bulls in
rotational crossbreeding programs on Angus-based cows.
• Certified Hereford Beef Index (CHB$) is a terminal sire index in which Hereford bulls are used on British-cross cows and all
offspring are sold as fed cattle on a CHB pricing grid.
From the American Simmental Association (2020):
• All-Purpose Index (API) is an index that evaluates sires for use on the entire cow herd (bred to Angus first-calf heifers and
mature cows), with the portion of their daughters required to maintain herd size retained and the remaining heifers and steers
put on feed and sold on grade and yield.
• Terminal Index (TI) is an index that evaluates sires for use on mature Angus cows, with all offspring put on feed and sold on
grade and yield.

Example 2 of Using EPDs for Bull Selection

A producer is looking for an Angus bull to breed a straight-bred Angus herd. The producer plans to retain ownership of the females
to use in the breeding herd and sell the calves at weaning. Thus, maternal traits of the females will be important.
Table 2. Angus bulls 1 for use on straight-bred Angus females.

Page 4 Understanding EPDs and Genomic Testing in Beef Cattle

 Bull CED BW WW YW CW Marb RE Fat $M $W $F $G $B
A 16 -0.6 68 129 62 1.8 1.11 -0.028 62 79 124 120 244
B 16 -2.5 64 118 32 0.42 0.53 0.046 51 78 69 38 106
Breed
Average
2 3 1 26 45 22 0.42 0.32 0.008 52 54 82 44 126

1 Bulls information retrieved from Select Sires Beef. 2 Breed average retrieved from The American Angus Association.

To address the producer's goal as stated, we can look at the Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) because it provides an indication of
expected maternal ability and profit based on sale of weaned calves. Bull A will produce calves that will profit, on average, $11 more
than Bull B using the $M. Bull A will be the better buy for this scenario where female retention and weaned calf value are both
important.

Across-breed EPD Comparisons

Within a breed, EPDs can be directly compared. Bulls of different breeds can also be compared, but adjustment factors to the EPDs
are needed because an EPD from one breed evaluation is not directly comparable to an EPD from another breed evaluation. Since
1993, the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) has produced a table of these adjustment factors so that the merit of
individuals can be compared across breeds.

Example 3 of Using EPDs for Bull Selection

In this example, suppose a producer needs to make a decision between a Simmental bull and a Limousin bull to breed his crossbred
cow herd. The important traits for him are BW, WW, YW, and Milk.
Table 3. DEPs from different breeds to use on a commercial crossbred herd.

Bull CE BW WW YW Milk DOC YG CW REA Marb

Simmental
1 17.1 -3.9 68 95.7 26.3 7.4 -0.22 28.2 0.58 0.35
Limousin
1 14 1.7 61 90 21 8 -0.73 16 1.23 8

1 Bulls information retrieved from Select Sires Beef.

With the above information, the producer also needs to access the table below:
Table 4. Adjustment Factors to Estimate across-breed EPDs.

Fat
Birth Wt. Weaning Yearling Maternal Marbling Ribeye Area Thickness Carcass Wt.
Breed (lb) WT. (lb) Wt. (lb) Milk (lb) Score a (in 2 ) (in) (lb)
Angus 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 0.00 0.000 0.0
Hereford 1.4 -16.5 -44.4 -12.5 -0.30 0.02 -0.073 -71.1
Red Angus 2.6 -19.4 -31.4 1.5 -0.03 0.25 -0.040 -13.2
Shorthorn 4.5 -34.4 -46.6 -0.1 -0.07 0.47 -0.032 5.6
South Devon 2.6 -29.9 -55.4 3.1 -0.53 0.64 -0.213 -68.8
Beefmaster 4.0 23.4 1.1 7.7
Brahman 10.3 53.3 14.4 16.7 0.03 -0.166 -35.9
Brangus 3.1 14.9 5.3 12.9

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 Santa
Gertrudis 5.2 40.4 39.8 16.8 -0.44 0.12 -0.085 -12.3
Braunvieh 2.2 -21.1 -46.6 4.1 -0.61 1.00 -0.100 -53.4
Charolais 6.6 32.7 23.2 8.1 -0.29 0.79 -0.201 5.1
Chiangu 2.8 -21.1 -36.2 2.5 -0.47 0.59 -0.142 -19.3
Gelbvieh 2.9 -15.5 -27.1 8.2 -0.37 0.66 -0.066 1.5
Limousin 2.5 -16.9 -53.9 -2.4 -0.03 0.59 -0.024 -5.1
Maine-Anjou 2.4 -30.3 -55.2 -7.0 -0.43 0.95 -0.179 -35.1
Salers 0.9 -11.2 -48.0 5.6 0.07 1.08 -0.177 -47.6
Simmental 2.8 -11.6 -19.2 1.8 -0.12 0.45 -0.049 -7.5
Tarentaise 2.7 20.2 -12.1 15.7

a Marbling score units: 4.00 = s1°0; 5.00 = Sm00 Source: US Meat Animal Research Center (2020) through Beef Improvement
Federation.

With both tables of information, a table for across breed comparisons can be made, similar to Table 5.
Table 5. Example of using across-breed adjustment factors to convert noncomparable within-breed EPDs to comparable
across-breed EPDs.

Bull BW (lb) WW (lb) YW (lb) Milk (lb)

Simmental EPD 1 -3.9 68 95.7 26.3
AB Adj. Factors 2 2.8 -11.6 19.2 1.8
AB-EPD 3 -1.1 56.4 76.5 28.1
Limousin EPD 1 1.7 61 90 21
AB Adj. Factors 2 2.5 -16.9 -53.9 -2.4
AB-EPD 3 4.2 44.1 36.1 18.6

1 EPDs are the within-breed EPD values from the breed's genetic evaluation for the bull of interest. 2 AB adj. factors are the
across-breed adjustment factors from Table 1. 3 Across-breed EPDs after adjustment factors are applied to within-breed EPDs.
The across-breed (AB) adjustment factors for BW are 2.8 lb for Simmental sires and 2.5 lb for Limousin sires. The AB-EPD for that
trait is -3.9 lb + 2.8 lb = -1.1 lb for the Simmental bull and 1.7 lb + 2.5 lb = 4.2 lb for the Limousin bull. The expected birth weight
difference of offspring when both are mated to cows of another breed (e.g., Angus) would be -1.1 lb - 4.2 lb = -5.3 lb. At weaning, the
Simmental bull will produce heavier calves. This weight difference becomes more evident at yearling age, when the expected
yearling weight of the Simmental bull offspring will surpass the Limousin bull offspring by almost 40 lb. On top of that, its daughters
will produce, on average, 9.6 lb more milk than the daughters of the Limousin bull. Therefore, the Simmental bull will be easier on
heifers (lower birth weight), provide faster growth pre- and post-weaning, and have daughters that produce more milk.

Benefits of genomic testing females

Selecting females for replacement is one of the most challenging aspects of commercial cow-calf production. Also, heifer
development is an expensive proposition. Therefore, producers may decide whether a given heifer can be productive and profitable
before she has had an opportunity to express productivity associated with profitability, including fertility, calving ease, milking
ability, growth and mature size. By using a good breeding strategy and being specific about selection principles, producers can raise
the right replacement heifers for the herd to optimize profitability. Genomic testing enables seedstock and commercial beef
producers to make more informed decisions, and with more confidence, and capitalize on animals with superior genetic merit.
Genotyping females can help producers know where their heifers are genetically, so that they will be able to make bull selection with
more confidence (Pryce and Hayes, 2012). Focusing on profitability indexes that include health traits, performance, carcass quality,
and maternal traits, the commercial herd as well as the pure breed herd will steepen the genetic progress curve and herd will be
more profitable, creating better genetics long term. Genomic testing is that frontier that allows us to get the most value with the least

Page 6 Understanding EPDs and Genomic Testing in Beef Cattle

 amount of inputs through smart selection pressures.
It is important to keep in mind that success in the cattle business is a function of both genetics and phenotype. The best genetics
may still occasionally produce offspring with poor feet and legs that will not hold up well in pasture or feedlot systems.
Understanding how and where the herd is excelling and where changes need to be made can help producers make improvements.
Keep in mind that single trait selection, selecting, for example, solely on milk production, is usually a disaster. Cattle genetics must
be selected to fit the environment and production practices of the operation or the operation they will be marketed to. Know what
your market wants and learn how to provide the type of cattle that fit that market by applying appropriate selection principles.

Summary
For seedstock producers, genomic testing is a no-brainer and the way of the future. The adoption of this technology by seedstock
producers has already begun to determine their success in the market. For commercial cattlemen, as genomic testing costs continue
to drop, genotyping females should become increasingly popular to capture extra value.
Herds with a superior genetic profile have a fundamental advantage over other herds and, in many cases, will outperform their
contemporaries over their lifetime. When young animals are part of a genetic improvement program, the use of GE-EPDs on the
bull side and genomic testing on the heifer side are critical. Using good selection techniques will allow producers to select and
develop the right replacement heifers and consistently mate them to complementary sires to optimize profitability.

Implications
Remember, EPDs need to be used in conjunction with operation goals and resources. Limited available feed may limit the how
aggressively you select for traits that requires a great deal of inputs and knowing what creates value for your marketplace will result
in focusing on traits that are relevant. Your genetic parameters may be different from someone else based on your environment, so
focus on your needs. Remember, cattle must still be sound structured and reproductive to last, grow, and reduce your workload. A
balanced approach is crucial for a sustainable enterprise, and that includes making sure that your genetics still match your system
with desired physical features that will last in your system and meet buyer demand.

Bibliography
American Angus Association. 2020. Combined Value Index - December 13, 2019 Update Accessed on April 21 st, 2020.
American Angus Association. 2020. Value Indexes. Accessed on April 21 st, 2020.
American Hereford Association. 2020. Trait Definitions. Accessed on April 21 st, 2020.
American Simmental Association. 2020. Quick Reference to ASA EPDs and $ Indexes. Accessed on April 21 st, 2020.
Beef Sires by Breed. 2020. Accessed on April 16 th, 2020.
Beef Sires Catalog. 2020. Accessed on April 16 th, 2020.
Garrick, D. J., Golden, B. L. 2009. Producing and genetic evaluations in the United States beef industry of today. J. Anim. Sci. 2009,
87: E11-E18. DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-1431.
Kuehn, L., and Thallman, M. 2019. Across-Breed EPD Table and Improvements. Accessed on April 15 th, 2020.
Philipsson, J., G. Banos, and T. Arnason. 1994. Present and future uses of selection index methodology in dairy cattle. J. Dairy
Sci.77:3252–3261. DOI: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(94)77266-0
Pryce, J., Hayes, B. 2012. A review of how dairy farmers can use and profit from genomic technologies. Animal Production Science
52, 180-184.
Rolf, M. M., Decker, J. E., McKay, S. D., Tizioto, P. C., Branham, K. A., Whitacre, L. K., Hoff, J. L., Regitano, L. C. A., Taylor, J. F.
Genomics in the United States beef industry. Livest Sci. 2014;166:84–93. DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.06.005
Van Eenennaam A. L., Drake D. J. 2012. Where in the beef-cattle supply chain might DNA tests generate value? Anim. Prod. Sci.
52:185–96. DOI: 10.1071/AN11060

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 Authors
Tara L. Felix
Extension Beef Specialist
[email protected]
814-865-0065

Tiago Brandao Freitas

Post-Doc
Penn State
[email protected]

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