My thoughts....
On Non-parent Animals the MCE average is lower than -1.
What is the relation of MCE & CED (CE)? What type of animals go towards the calculation of CED? MCE?
CED is measured on the Direct Calving Ease of the calf to come out of a heifer. It is primarily about the shape of the calf. Since the bull is new, it may be best to speak to the folks that calved him out on heifers. In addition, one would get a better idea of finding someone who had a large group of females that calved to this bull. There you can start putting population genetics into play and get a range. If one guy had 3-4 by a particular bull, that is not a good showcase on the bulls genetics potential. But the best is when the Accuracy is higher than .85
Look in your recent Shorthorn County, or look up cattle on the ASA site and their CED scores; are the ‘stout at birth’ calves by high CED bulls and dams? Or negative ones?
What about MCE? That is the ability of a Sire’s daughters to calve with a measureable amount of zero to some degree of assistance. How many females does this bull (Gauge) or many of the others gossiped about have daughters in reproductive production? If the answer is none, or very few, OR if there are many and the information is not recorded and submitted, what good is a discussing on the number verses the experience on this forum or any other if people have had more than a few? Either way, this is “Expected” on the sires “Progeny” and their “Difference” when compared to others (since we are analyzing the EPD). If it’s only one percentage or point or pound, what do YOU think is the cut-off point for hard calving? I personally don’t know the answer- Shorthorns don’t statistically PROVE (.85 accuaracy or greater)enough animals.
Time will tellon Gauge & others, but between now and then, please keep recording your accurate data and submit it to the ASA, that’s going to continue to be the best way for us all measure our potential success with any particular sire.
-Luke