Shorthorns now have a stayability epd?

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Shorthorn-Fed

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Apr 24, 2016
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Manitoba
It’s good to get an idea which animals have a lasting influence rather than “ flavour of the month” cattle. Easy to track in registered cattle, if they are registered, “active” and producing registered calves then they can track production years simple enough.

Russ
 

idalee

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Aug 18, 2013
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Can be interpreted two ways.  Those older cows have paid their rearing costs,  so profitability is increased and stability is important.  On the other hand,  if you are making progress, those older cows need to go away sooner because the  younger generations are superior genetically. 
 

RyanChandler

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Jul 6, 2011
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Pottsboro, TX
older cows need only go away once they've been out performed by the genetically superior younger generations.

Stayability EPD!? The ASA takes the same approach as facebook:  move fast and break things


There are cattle that have been dead for 40 years and still listed in the registry as 'active.'  If it helps promote what you've already got--then great,  but to make any selection decisions based on anything the asa generates is just beyond foolish. 
 

idalee

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Aug 18, 2013
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ASA does not generate the EPD's.  Shorthorn is part of a database representing 19 million cattle worldwide from 12 different breeds.  400,000 new records are added each year to this database.  This database is maintained by International Genetic Solutions and they calculate the EPD values.  International Genetic Solutions was started in 2010 by the American Simmental Association and the Red Angus Association of America with the goal of serving the needs of the commercial cattle producer.  There is much discussion regarding the value and use of EPD data and is reminiscent of the discussions 40 years ago when milk production proofs were first generated for dairy cattle by USDA.  When it is all said and done,  those who early adopted the use of USDA milk production proofs made greater genetic progress.    EPD values are just another tool and do have scientific validation which  must be tempered by reference to the accuracy value.    Choose to ignore this data if you wish.    I don't have much faith in the Milk EPD when I see my calves robbing from other cows,  but taken as a whole they are a valuable addition to breeding decisions. 
 

IGSLukeBowman

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May 2, 2017
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STAY EPD has nothing to do with animals that are still marked active after decades. It is the ability of a sires daughters to last up to 6 years of age within a production system. If doesn't really make a difference if one cow lasts to 8 and another to 10 years. This will also explains the issue of genetic progress vs. cow longevity & less cost of replacements.
We generally find that there are genetic differences in sires with their origins getting the magic age of 6, or 4 calvings. 1) Breed as virgins? 2)Breed back after first calf? 3+) More fertility issues? Feet/Soundess holding up? Udders holding up? Growth and other traits acceptable?
It essentially covers all traits, and is the most important single EPD one for cow herd profit.
-Luke
 
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Nov 14, 2015
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Does anybody else on here find it unsettling that Zoetis is involved in EPD’s? What happens when they find a line of cows that are more hardy and disease resistant? That would mean less money in their pocket.
 
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