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VQA Sire EPD Specifications Spring 2009
Livestock Update, February 2009
Scott P. Greiner, Ph.D, Extension Animal Scientist, VA Tech
The Virginia Quality Assured Program recently completed its 12th season as a value-added marketing option for cow-calf producers. This added value is the result of several factors, including program standards for animal health, genetics, and best management practices. In 2008, in excess of 10,000 steers and heifers were marketed through the VQA program and producers realized a $49 per head gross premium compared to similar cattle marketed the same time through graded sales.
VQA Purple Tag requirements include a yearling weight Expected Progeny Differences (EPD) specification for the sire of each calf. Minimum yearling weight EPD standards are breed-specific, and established based on the sire birth year to account for genetic improvement realized over time. This genetic standard provides assurance to buyers that the calves are sired by bulls that have favorable genetic potential for post-weaning growth performance. Post-weaning growth (ADG in feedyard) is an important determinant of feedyard cost of gain (cost to put on live weight or carcass weight) and profitability. Genetics of post-weaning growth is most effectively managed through sire selection using Yearling Weight EPD.
The following table provides the breed minimum yearling weight EPD requirements for bulls born in Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 (applicable to yearling bulls purchased fall 2008 and spring 2009). Calves sired by bulls with yearling weight EPDs greater than or equal to the minimums published are eligible for the VQA purple tag. In the event a bull does not have a yearling weight EPD, weaning weight EPD is used as the specification. For specifications for bulls born previous to fall 2007, visit the Virginia Tech Beef Extension and Education web site at http://www.vtbeef.apsc.vt.edu/, or contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office or the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association.
VQA Purple Tag
Sire Minimum Yearling Weight EPD Requirements
Bulls Born Fall 2007 & Spring 2008
| Breed (%) | Minimum YW EPD | Minimum WW EPD* |
|---|---|---|
| Angus | +72 | +39 |
| Braunvieh | +4 | +3 |
| Charolais (PB and 15/16) | +27 | +15 |
| Gelbvieh (PB) | +73 | +41 |
| Gelbvieh (Balancer) | +72 | +35 |
| Hereford | +64 | +38 |
| Limousin | +69 | +37 |
| Red Angus | +54 | +31 |
| Simmental (PB) | +53 | +30 |
| Simmental (1/2) | +53 | +23 |
| *WW EPD only used if YW EPD not available | ||