Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) - is the estimate of how future progeny of each sire are expected to perform in each of the traits listed. Interim EPD may appear in cases wherein there is insufficient information to allow the calculation of an EPD through National Cattle Evaluation procedures. This EPD will be followed by an (AC) accuracy figure.

Accuracy (AC) - Accuracy is the reliability that can be placed on the EPD. An accuracy of close to 1.0 indicates higher reliability. I or P indicates pedigree information only, no actual data on the animal.

Birth Weight (BW) - Expressed in pounds, birth weight is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit birth weight.

Weaning Weight (WW) - Expressed in pounds, weaning weight is a predictor of a sire’s ability to transmit weaning growth to his progeny.

Yearling Weight (YW) - A sire’s yearling weight EPD is a measure of the expected growth of progeny to yearling age due to genes passed on by the sire to his progeny.

Maternal Milk (Milk) - Expressed in pounds of calf, this is a predictor of a sire’s genetic merit for milk and mothering ability as expressed in his daughters. In other words, it is that part of weaning weight attributed to milk and mothering ability.

Carcass Weight (CW) - Expressed in pounds, carcass weight is a predictor of the differences in hot carcass weight of a sire’s progeny at a given end point.

Marbling (MB) - This is an expression, as a fraction, of the differences in a subjective USDA marbling score of a sire’s progeny at a given end point.

Percent Intramuscular Fat (%IMF) - The EPD predicts the percentage of intramuscular fat in the rib eye, which is directly related to USDA Marbling Score. Higher IMF values indicate a higher % intramuscular fat, therefore a higher marbling score.

Fat Thickness (FT) or (Fat) - Reported in inches. The EPD predicts the difference in fat thickness, measured between the 12th & 13th ribs, of a bull’s progeny compared to progeny of all other bulls evaluated.

Ribeye Area (REA) or (RE) - Expressed in square inches, ribeye area is a predictor of the differences in ribeye area of a sire’s progeny at a given end point.

Beef Value ($B) - $B represents the expected average dollar-per-head difference in the progeny postweaning performance and carcass value compared to progeny of other sires.

Scrotal Circumference (SC) - Expressed in centimeters, scrotal circumference is a predictor of the difference in transmitting ability for scrotal size.

Stayability (Stay) - Stayability is the probability of a cow in production raising a calf after reaching her break-even age. Stayability provides an indication of sustained fertility. Higher EPDs indicate a greater probability that daughters entering a breeding herd will remain in production until they are six years old.

Gestation Length (GL) - The EPD predicts the difference in days of gestation length of a bull’s progeny compared to progeny of all bulls evaluated.

Calving Ease or Direct Calving Ease (CE or CED) - The ease with which a bull’s calves are born to firstcalf heifers. Higher values indicate more unassisted births while lower values indicate fewer unassisted births.

Calving Ease Daughter’s (CED) or (CETM) - The ease with which a bull’s daughters calve as first-calf heifers. Higher values indicate more unassisted births while lower values indicate fewer unassisted births.