Beef Terminology
Select a Beef Term for a Definition |
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Angus Sires
AMF: Has been tested "Free" of the gene for Arthrogryposis Multiplex.
Hereford Sires
DLF: Has been tested "Free" of the gene for the Dilutor genetic abnormality.
IEF: Has been tested "Free" of the gene for the Idiopathic Epilepsy genetic abnormality.
Performance Data
BW (Birth Weight): The weight of a calf taken within 24 hours after birth.
WW (Adjusted Weaning Weight): An unshrunk, off-the-cow weight adjusted to 205 days of age and to a mature-dam age equivalence.
YW (Adjusted Yearling Weight): An unshrunk weight adjusted to 265 days of age.
Scrotal Circumference: A measure of testes size obtained by measuring the distance around the testicles in the scrotum with a circular tape. Related to semen-production capacity and age at puberty of female sibs and progeny.
Frame Score: A score based on subjective evaluation of height or actual measurement of hip height. This score is related to slaughter weights at which cattle should attain a given quality grade or attain a given amount of fat thickness.
Heterozygous: Genes of a specific pair (alleles) are different in an individual (e.g., Aa)
Homozygous: Genes of a specific pair (alleles) are alike in an individual (e.g., AA or aa).
Polled: Naturally hornless cattle. Having no horns or scurs.
Polled/Scurred: Individuals who are polled with scurs.
Homozygous Polled: Bulls which have a 99.9% probability of being homozygous polled, having been test mated to horned or heterozygous polled cows. You should expect these bulls to sire all polled calves.
Homozygous Black: These bulls have a 99.9% probability of being homozygous black, having been test mated to red and heterozygous black cows. You should expect these bulls to sire black calves when mated to red or black cows.
Non-Diluter: These cattle do not carry the dilution gene. The dilution gene causes black coat color to be gray and red coat color to be yellow.
PAP (Pulmonary Arterial Pressure) Score: A prediction of an animal's welfare at high altitudes and susceptible to High Altitude Disease (HAD), also known as Brisket Disease. Scores under 45 are favorable.
Accelerated Evaluation
In an effort to provide additional information on proven Accelerated Genetics sires, an Accelerated Evaluation was developed to describe the bull's ability to transmit physical traits to his progeny. Following is the list of trait characteristics and their meanings:
Frame Size: For British breeds, the average frame score was 6 with small being less than 5 and large being greater than 7. For Continental breeds, the average frame score was 7 with small being less than 6 and large being greater than 8.Muscling: Evaluations based on progeny observation of thickness of top and muscling in the hind quarter. Carcass data was also used where available.
Capacity: Evaluation based on depth and fall of rib and overall width of progeny.
Rear Leg Structure: Evaluations based on the angle and set of the rear leg.
Sheath: Evaluations based on the amount of sheath exhibited by a sire's sons.
Scrotal Size: Evaluations based on progeny scrotal measurements along with a sire's scrotal circumference EPD.
Udder Capacity: Evaluations of daughters udder depth and volume.
Teat Size: Evaluation of daughters teat size, based on length and diameter.
Calving Ease: Evaluations based on birth weight EPD, calving ease score and calf shape. Bulls which are recommended for heifers may also be mated to mature.
Sire Evaluation Data
EPD (Expected Progeny Difference): The difference in performance to be expected from future progeny of a sire, compared with that expected from future progeny of the average bull in the same test. EPD is an estimate based on progeny testing and is equal to one-half the estimate of breeding value obtainable from the progeny test records. EPDs for growth traits are generally expressed in pounds, either as a plus difference or minimum difference from the population average. EPDs are generally reported in the units of measure of the trait, (e.g., pounds, cm, cm², percent, etc.)
Accuracy: The reliability that can be placed on the expected progeny difference (EPD). An accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability.
BW (Birth Weight): Calf weight at birth adjusted to a mature dam equivalent. Expected progeny performance is reported in pounds. The EPD value predicts the difference in average birth weight of a bull's calves compared to calves of all other bulls evaluated. A positive value indicates heavier-than-average birth weights while a negative value (-) indicates lighter-than-average birth weights.
Direct (Calving Ease): The ease with which a bull's calves are born to first-calf heifers. A first-calf heifer is defined as a female calving for the first time at 33 months of age or less. Expected progeny differences are reported as deviations in the percent unassisted births. When comparing calving ease EPDs of two sires, the larger EPD indicates a higher percent of unassisted births for calves sired by this bull.
WW (Weaning Weight): A sire's expected progeny difference (lb.) for 205-day, mature dam equivalent weaning weight. A sire's weaning weight EPD is an indication of growth to weaning. It does not indicate milk production.
YW (Yearling Weight): A sire's expected progeny difference (lb.) for 365-day, mature dam equivalent yearling weight.
YH (Yearling Height): A predictor, expressed in inches, of a sire's ability to transmit yearling height.
Scrotal Circum. (Scrotal Circumference EPD): A predictor, expressed in centimeters, of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size.
DOC (Docility): A tool to increase the probability of docile calves from one sire compared to calves of other sires. The EPD is expressed as a genetic difference in percentage units, with a higher value being more favorable for calmer temperament.
Daughter Evaluation
MM (Maternal Milk): The maternal ability of a bull's daughters. Expected progeny performance is expressed in pounds of calf weaning weight. The EPD value predicts the difference (due to maternal ability) in average 205-day weight of a bull's daughters' calves compared to calves of all other bulls evaluated.
Maternal Weaning Weight, Total Maternal, Combined Value, Milk & Growth, Maternal Weaning Weight: The weaning weight of a bull's daughters' calves. Expected progeny performance is reported in pounds. The EPD value predicts the difference in average 205-day weight of bull's daughters' calves compared to calves from daughters of all other bulls evaluated. The evaluation reflects both the maternal ability of a bull's daughters and the growth potential.
Mature Daughter Weight EPD: A predictor of the difference in mature size of a sire's daughters expressed in pounds.
Mature Daughter Height EDP: A predictor of the difference in mature daughter height of a sire's daughters expressed in inches.
Maternal Calving Ease: The ease with which a sire's daughters calve as first-calf heifers. Expected progeny differences are reported as deviations in the percent unassisted births.
HP (Heifer Pregnancy): A tool to increase the chance of a sire's daughters becoming pregnant as heifers during a normal breeding season. The EPD is expressed as a genetic difference in percentage units, with a higher value being more favorable.
STAY. (Stayability) (Red Angus): The expressed difference in probability of daughters staying in the herd to at least six years of age. Since cows are usually only culled for being open before six years, the EPD is primarily a measure of sustained fertility in female offspring.
Carcass/Ultrasound Evaluation
Carcass Weight EPD: A predictor, expressed in pounds, of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire's progeny at a given end point.
Marbling EPD: An expression, as a fraction, of the differences in a subjective USDA marbling score of a sire's progeny at a given end point.
(%IMF) Intramuscular Fat: A predictor of the difference in a sire's progeny for percent intramuscular fat in the ribeye muscle compared to an average sire.
Ribeye Area EPD: A predictor, expressed in square inches, of the differences in rib eye area of a sire's progeny at a given end point.
Fat Thickness EPD: A predictor, expressed in inches, of the differences in fat thickness of a sire's progeny, between the 12th and 13th ribs, at a given end point.
Bio-Economic $Values
$W (Weaned Calf Value): Is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for preweaning merit. $W includes both revenue and cost adjustments associated with differences in birth weight, weaning direct growth, maternal milk, and mature cow size.
$EN (Cow Energy Value): Assesses differences in cow energy requirements, expressed in dollars per cow per year, as an expected dollar savings difference in future daughters of sires. A larger value is more favorable when comparing two animals.
$F (Feedlot Value): Is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning merit compared to progeny of other sires.
$G (Grid Value): Is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires.
$B (Beef Value): Is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for postweaning and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.
