Shorthorn $ Value EPDS

I was reading the JDMC catalog. They have developed the first $ value epds for shorthorns as far I know. How did the breed avg be obtained? I think its a good idea to develop these. I think over time Im  going to be developing my own version (pop). Do other shorthorn breeders feel they have value? If these current ones are based off current ASA epds, what is your opinion on the validity of them? Im just wondering. Its a positive step forward. Good for JDMC for taking the first step. Who developed these current figures and terms?

These new $ EPD's were developed for the American Shorthorn Association by the USDA(i think that's who they said developed them :-\ )  Most of the cattle in the pen show in Denver had these EPD's on the show sheet. Seem to have lost miy show sheet and can't find them online. Seems they said they had also been developed for some other breeds. I'm not sure what all goes into them but seems they might be a good idea as they are a combination of other traits.

I was interested to see the ASA has introduced these $ values. We've been using Selection Indexes down here for quite some time now and many commercial producers find them really useful. A tool also exists for producers to develop their own index with weightings swayed to various traits, to allow them to better select bulls for their operation.

I would have liked to see more information from the ASA on what contributes to the various $ values they have devised and which traits have more emphasis placed on them, though I do understand their reasons for not releasing this information.

Here is a link to an overview of what our Selection Indexes are and how they work and are calculated: http://breedplan.une.edu.au/tips/Selection%20Indexes%20-%20A%20General%20Introduction.pdf
This is a link to an older document (2010) on how some of the Australian Shorthorn $indexes are calculated and what emphasis is placed on particular traits. The current $indexes have been updated and so are not necessarily the same now, however I can't find the latest info: http://breedplan.une.edu.au/tips/Interpreting%20Australian%20Shorthorn%20Selection%20Indexes.pdf
BreedObject gives you information on selecting using Selection Indexes and how to create your own $index: http://breedobject.com/index.html

Here are the EPDs etc of the Denver pens of three bulls. I can post the pens of five and heifer pens if anyone wants.

Overall I think this is a very good idea, I really enjoyed the reading surrounding it. 

I'll be interested to see whether this is enthusiastically adopted in North America.

thunderdownunder said:

I'll be interested to see whether this is enthusiastically adopted in North America.

Click to expand...

unless fabricated to seem commercially superior--

it will not be by the broken record, show cattle multipliers and check writers.