What does an Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) measure?

An Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) is a key tool used in beef cattle breeding to predict the genetic potential of an animal's offspring for specific traits. By using EPDs, breeders can estimate the performance characteristics that an individual animal is likely to pass on to its progeny based on its own genetics and those of its ancestors.

EPDs take into account various factors such as existing performance data, pedigree information, and the genetic contributions of both the animal and its ancestors. This allows breeders to make informed decisions when selecting animals for reproduction to achieve desirable traits in their herd, such as growth rate, fertility, carcass quality, and more.

The focus on genetic potential distinguishes EPDs from simple measurements of traits like weight gain or health traits, which do not provide a predictive aspect regarding an animal's future offspring. Thus, EPDs serve as a vital tool for enhancing herd quality by driving genetic improvement in a controlled and scientifically informed manner.