Breed Average EPDs - click here to view Spring 2013 Breed Average EPDs

EPD Accuracies

It is important to review the accuracy values when looking at EPD.  There are several types of EPD published by the CSA and the accuracy value tells us the type and amount of information included in the EPD.

• Pedigree Estimate - PE: These EPD are an average of the Sire and Dam EPDs.  They are only calculated from Sires and Dams that have numerical accuracies for their EPD.  In the event that a dam has a PE EPD, the calculation would use � of the sire + � of the maternal grandsire's EPD.  If the sire has a PE EPD, and/or the dam and maternal grandsire have PE EPD, the animal would not receive a PE EPD.  Instead it will have an EF EPD calculated.  The PE EPD only includes pedigree information.
• Numerical Accuracy - 0.01 to 0.99: These EPD are calculated in the genetic evaluation and include performance data and pedigree information.  Typically, animal's with their own performance record included will have EPD with accuracies ranging from 0.15 to 0.35 depending on the trait.  Animal's with higher accuracy levels are likely to have progeny data included in the EPD.
• Embryo & Foreign - EF: These EPD are calculated on animal's that do not have pedigree ties or data in the evaluation.  They are calculated as the average of the average EPD for the birth year of the parents.  For example a calf with a sire born in 1999 and a dam born in 2008, would receive an EF EPD that is the average of the Simmental populations born in 1999 and 2008.  There is no pedigree or performance information included in this calculation.

Ultrasound Rebate

The ultrasound rebate program is still in effect.  A CSA member account credit of $10 is available for all scans collected on animals in a valid contemporary group.  Cattle must be weighed and scanned and the images must be processed through a certified lab.  Cattle should be scanned between 320 and 430 days of age.