Simmental and Red Angus EPD's

[Simmgal]

If you haven't heard, the American Simmental Association and the Red Angus Association of America are planning on reporting their EPD's on a common base this Summer. What are your thoughts on this? Is it a step towards an EPD comparison of all breeds of cattle, or should both associations focus on marketing their own product, or latching on to a larger breed association (such as Black Angus)? Just curious as to what you thought!  ;D
http://beefmagazine.com/red-angus-and-simmental-share-resources-joint-epds

 

[kfacres]

while there really won't be a good way to compare them on the same playing field.. i do think that a more common denominator to compare EPDs across breeds is a good idea.  I don't like having to always look up breed averages and conversion factors to compare EPD profiles from different breeds. 

this would also allow for more predictable EPDs for crossbreds-- that is without taking in the hybrid vigor effect.

 

[LN]

I was in Denver and got the down low on the EPD base change.

Growth, milk, birth weight and yield grade EPDs will go up for Simmental cattle. EPDs that will go down are CE, and marbling. And the opposite effect on Red Angus cattle. As of now the associations haven't agreed on where the CE EPDs will be set. I think this is a progressive move from both associations and because of this 9,000,000 records will be analyzed in each genetic evaluation. They said breed associations from other countries want in on this genetic evaluation because of the massive number of records being reported.

My personal opinion: I think there will be some kinks to work out but I think it's a positive move for the beef industry and two breeds in particular.

Also, Simmental will have a 50k genome test coming out this spring or summer. It will be able to handle purebreds, SimAngus, fullbloods and Simbrah. On some traits it has potential to increase accuracy 20%. I'm really excited about this one to debut. Test will be $90 and hopes are to include other tests like horned/polled, black/red, spotting, and genetic defects for an added cost.

 

[Simmgal]

I was in Denver and got the down low on the EPD base change.

Growth, milk, birth weight and yield grade EPDs will go up for Simmental cattle. EPDs that will go down are CE, and marbling. And the opposite effect on Red Angus cattle. As of now the associations haven't agreed on where the CE EPDs will be set. I think this is a progressive move from both associations and because of this 9,000,000 records will be analyzed in each genetic evaluation. They said breed associations from other countries want in on this genetic evaluation because of the massive number of records being reported.

My personal opinion: I think there will be some kinks to work out but I think it's a positive move for the beef industry and two breeds in particular.

Also, Simmental will have a 50k genome test coming out this spring or summer. It will be able to handle purebreds, SimAngus, fullbloods and Simbrah. On some traits it has potential to increase accuracy 20%. I'm really excited about this one to debut. Test will be $90 and hopes are to include other tests like horned/polled, black/red, spotting, and genetic defects for an added cost.

It's interesting to hear the inside scoop! I figured some traits would go up for the Simmental cattle. I wonder how they are going to handle the certificate deal. Does everyone get free reprinted certificates with updated EPD's if they want them?

 

[leanbeef]

while there really won't be a good way to compare them on the same playing field.. i do think that a more common denominator to compare EPDs across breeds is a good idea.  I don't like having to always look up breed averages and conversion factors to compare EPD profiles from different breeds. 

this would also allow for more predictable EPDs for crossbreds-- that is without taking in the hybrid vigor effect.

Actually...being able to "compare them on the same playing field" is what cross breed EPDs and this new base is all about! Basically, the Reds and the Simmies are teaming up in an effort to secure their market share in the industry. A lot of breeders use Simmental, Angus and Red Angus genetics, and this base will increase the database and allow us to compare EPDs for any cattle that are in the database. But the animals will have to be in the database...so that will include all registered Simmental, all reported and registered Simmental crosses, all Red Angus, and all other cattle that are in the database, including a lot of purebred Angus. We still won't be able to compare AAA EPDs to ASA/ARA numbers, but there are a lot of registered Angus cattle in the system now, and that number should continue to grow.

What we have to understand as breeders is that the base change won't change the cattle. The EPDs will change, and so will the breed averages. The % rankings will be exactly the same. Meaning if a bull is good on paper, he'll still be good. If he's bad, he'll still be bad. The reason there is a lot of talk about exactly where to set the base is so the new numbers aren't perceived negatively by the commercial segment and other customers. We've gone through base changes before, and this shouldn't be that much different. I think people--especially a lot of purebred breeders--will question the motives and not understand why the associations are working together, but it does make a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. I think it's a good thing in the long haul... Just like any other change...will take some time to learn and understand and get used to.