Run Ave. 0.9 2.1 0.5 0.9 4.9
Balanced
ID WW PWW MM MGR NB Composite
EPD EPD EPD EPD EPD Index
Ram 1 3.5 8.7 0.9 2.6 -2.6 248
Ram 2 2.3 6.0 0.8 2.0 14.4 246
Ram 3 2.4 6.0 0.8 2.0 13.0 243
Ram 4 2.3 5.7 0.7 1.9 15.7 243
Ram 5 2.6 6.5 1.2 2.5 4.3 243
Ram 6 2.4 6.0 1.0 2.2 9.5 241
Ram 7 2.0 5.2 1.1 2.1 13.0 240
Ram 8 2.4 5.9 1.0 2.2 9.1 238
Which ram is best?
All are very close but based upon the index, Ram 1 is the best. However, if the weak trait of your flock is number
born, this would not be the ram for you. In order to make the best use of EPDs we need to look at our flock and
determine their strong and weak traits. Also we need to determine the traits that we want to improve.
If our weakest trait is lamb weights, than Ram 1 could be our choice as his lambs can be expected to be 1.2
pounds heavier than Ram 2 at weaning. His lambs at 120 days can be expected to be 2.7 pounds heavier than
Ram 2’s. You might say a pound or so doesn’t make much difference. OK, let’s say we have 50 lambs out of
each ram and we sell the lambs for $1.00 per pound at 120 days. What is the difference? 50 lambs X 2.7 lbs =
135 lbs or $135.00 more than Ram 2’s lambs.
Now let’s look at ram 1 and 2 for the maternal trait of Number Born. Ram 2’s ewe lambs can be expected to have
17 percent more lambs than ram 1. So if you save 100 ewe lambs from ram 2 you could expect to get 17 more
lambs than you would from 100 ewes lambs sired by ram 1. However, you will need to think about Maternal Milk
as ram 2 has a lower EPD and his ewes might not produce sufficient milk for all of the extra lambs. If Maternal Milk
is high in your flock than ram 2 could well be the best choice. Milk and Growth also enters into this equation when
looking at the grand lambs of ram 2. Ram 1’s grand lambs should do better in both milk and growth. Will this out
weigh the number of lambs born? Probably not but to truly look at the whole picture we need an EPD for “Pounds
of Lamb Weaned”.
Balanced
ID WW PWW MM MGR NB Composite
EPD EPD EPD EPD EPD Index
Ram 1 3.5 8.7 0.9 2.6 -2.6 248
Ram 2 2.3 6.0 0.8 2.0 14.4 246
Ram 3 2.4 6.0 0.8 2.0 13.0 243
Ram 4 2.3 5.7 0.7 1.9 15.7 243
Ram 5 2.6 6.5 1.2 2.5 4.3 243
Ram 6 2.4 6.0 1.0 2.2 9.5 241
Ram 7 2.0 5.2 1.1 2.1 13.0 240
Ram 8 2.4 5.9 1.0 2.2 9.1 238
Which ram is best?
All are very close but based upon the index, Ram 1 is the best. However, if the weak trait of your flock is number
born, this would not be the ram for you. In order to make the best use of EPDs we need to look at our flock and
determine their strong and weak traits. Also we need to determine the traits that we want to improve.
If our weakest trait is lamb weights, than Ram 1 could be our choice as his lambs can be expected to be 1.2
pounds heavier than Ram 2 at weaning. His lambs at 120 days can be expected to be 2.7 pounds heavier than
Ram 2’s. You might say a pound or so doesn’t make much difference. OK, let’s say we have 50 lambs out of
each ram and we sell the lambs for $1.00 per pound at 120 days. What is the difference? 50 lambs X 2.7 lbs =
135 lbs or $135.00 more than Ram 2’s lambs.
Now let’s look at ram 1 and 2 for the maternal trait of Number Born. Ram 2’s ewe lambs can be expected to have
17 percent more lambs than ram 1. So if you save 100 ewe lambs from ram 2 you could expect to get 17 more
lambs than you would from 100 ewes lambs sired by ram 1. However, you will need to think about Maternal Milk
as ram 2 has a lower EPD and his ewes might not produce sufficient milk for all of the extra lambs. If Maternal Milk
is high in your flock than ram 2 could well be the best choice. Milk and Growth also enters into this equation when
looking at the grand lambs of ram 2. Ram 1’s grand lambs should do better in both milk and growth. Will this out
weigh the number of lambs born? Probably not but to truly look at the whole picture we need an EPD for “Pounds
of Lamb Weaned”.
| Using EPDs Uncompahgre Polypay Farm The home of production Polypays |
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