What are EPDs?

A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Genetics

EPDs, or Expected Progeny Differences, are one of the most important (and confusing!) tools used in the cattle industry to make smarter breeding decisions. They help predict how an animal’s offspring will perform compared to the breed average.

If you’ve ever asked:

“Will this bull calve easily on heifers?”
“Will his calves grow fast?”
“Can I keep his daughters in my herd long-term?”

— then EPDs are how you can find answers backed by data, not guesswork.

Why EPDs Matter:

When you choose a breeding animal, you’re not just choosing that one animal—you’re choosing its genetics. Every animal contributes genetics to the next generation. EPDs help you:

  • Select bulls and heifers that align with you goals 
  • Build a productive and consistent herd 
  • Improve traits like fertility, growth, and carcass quality over time
  • Avoid guesswork when buying or selling breeding stock

There are multiple factors that go in to calculating EPDs so that the best possible data can be provided. EPDs are calculated using a combination of:

  • Pedigree and performance data
  • Progeny records (offspring)
  • Contemporary group comparisons 
  • Genomic (DNA) testing

Angus EPD Trait Glossary (Very Simplified!)

This glossary explains the EPD terms used specifically by the American Angus Association. If you’re exploring genetics in other breeds, keep in mind that trait names, definitions, and indexes can vary so, be sure to visit the association websites for the specific breed you are looking at. 

These traits reflect growth and performance from birth through weaning and yearling stages. They’re especially important if you’re selling calves at weaning or want fast-growing animals.

  • Calving Ease Direct (CED): Measures how easily calves will be born from heifers
    • Higher number = easier calving
  • Birth Weight (BW): Weight of calf ideally within 24 hours of birth 
    • Lower number = smaller calf (ideal for heifers)
  • Weaning Weight (WW): Weight of calf at weaning
    • Higher number = faster growth 
  • Yearling Weight (YW): Weight of calf at ~365 days
    • Higher number = faster/more growth
  • Residual Average Daily Gain (RADG): Measures how efficiently an animal gains weight, independent of how much it eats
    • Higher number = greater efficiency on feed
  • Dry Matter Intake (DMI): Measures how much feed (on a dry matter basis) an animal is expected to consume daily
    • Lower number = less feed required 
  • Yearling Height (YH): Measures the animal’s frame size or skeletal height at one year of age
    • Higher number = taller animals
  • Scrotal Circumference (SC): Measures differences in scrotal size (in centimeters) of a bull’s male offspring, which is genetically linked to reproductive traits
    • Higher number = earlier puberty in heifers, improved semen quality in sons, higher fertility 

Maternal traits focus on a female’s ability to raise productive calves and stay in the herd long-term. These are critical for building and maintaining a quality cow herd.

  • Heifer Pregnancy (HP): Predicts the likelihood a heifer will conceive and become pregnant during her first breeding season
    • Higher number = better fertility
  • Calving Ease Maternal (CEM): Estimates how easily a bull’s daughters will calve as first-calf heifers
    • Higher number = fewer assisted births in daughters
  • Milk Production (MILK): Predicts how much milk a cow will produce, and how that milk and her mothering ability impacts calf weaning weight
    • Higher number = better quality of milk and mothering ability (balance is key based on your environment and forage, you don’t want number to be too high)
  • Teat size (TEAT): Assesses the length and size of the teats 
    • Higher number = smaller, more desirable teats
  • Udder Suspension (UDDR): Evaluates how tightly the udder is attached to the body
    • Higher number = tighter, more functional udder
  • Functional Longevity (FL): Predicts how long a cow will remain productive in the herd (predicts how many calves she will produce by age 6) 
    • Higher number = longer herd life
  • Mature Weight (MW): Predicts the expected body weight of a mature cow 
    • Higher number = heavier cows
  • Mature Height (MH): Predicts the skeletal height of a mature cow
    • Higher number = taller framed cows
  • Cow Energy Value ($EN): Estimates how much feed (energy) a cow needs to maintain herself and raise a calf
    • Higher number = more efficient cow with lower input costs

These traits help evaluate how easy an animal is to manage, especially in terms of temperament, feet, and adaptability to environmental stress.

  • Docility (DOC): Predicts an animal’s disposition and ease of handling
    • Higher number = calmer, easier-to-handle cattle
  • Claw Shape (CLAW): Evaluates the shape and structure of the foot’s claws
    • Lower number = more ideal, symmetrical, upright claws
  • Hoof Angle (ANGLE): Assesses the angle of the hoof from the pastern
    • Ideal score = mid-range (around 45° angle)
  • Pulmonary Arterial Pressure (PAP): Predicts susceptibility to high-altitude disease (a.k.a. brisket disease)
    • Lower number = better adaptation to high altitudes 
  • Hair Shedding (HS): Measures how quickly an animal sheds its winter coat in spring
    •  Lower number = faster shedding, better heat tolerance

Carcass traits predict the meat quality and yield of an animal’s offspring. These are important if you’re finishing cattle, selling on a grid, or supplying beef to premium markets.

  • Carcass Weight (CW): Predicts the hot carcass weight (in pounds) of an animal’s offspring at slaughter
    • Higher number = heavier carcasses
  • Marbling (MARB): Predicts the amount of intramuscular fat—the white flecks of fat within the muscle that affect beef flavor, tenderness, and juiciness
    • Higher number = better quality grade
  • Ribeye Area (RE): Predicts the muscle size of the ribeye, measured in square inches at the 12th rib
    • Higher number = More muscling and red meat yield 
  • Fat Thickness (FAT): Predicts the external backfat thickness, measured over the ribeye
    • Lower number = less external fat (balance is key) 

These are economic selection tools that combine multiple traits into a single number based on real-world profitability. They’re used to quickly evaluate which animals will make you more money in different parts of the beef supply chain.

  • Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M): Estimates the profit potential from conception to weaning in a self-replacing cow herd
    • Higher number = more efficient, fertile, and productive cows
    • Contributing Traits: CED, WW, DOC, CLAW, ANGLE, HP, CEM, MILK, TEAT, UDDR, FL, and MW
    • Best to Target For: Producers focused on keeping replacement females and building a long-lasting, low-maintenance cow herd
  • Weaned Calf Value ($W): Predicts profit per calf at weaning, combining growth and maternal milk factors
    • Higher number = heavier, more profitable calves at weaning
    • Contributing Traits: BW, WW, MILK, and MW
    • Best to Target For: Cow-calf producers selling weaned calves
  • Feedlot Value ($F): Estimates post-weaning profit based on feedlot performance—gain and feed efficiency
    • Higher number = More pounds gained per dollar of feed
    • Contributing Traits: YW, DMI, and CW
    • Best to Target For: Operations that retain ownership through the feedlot phase or sell feeder cattle to finishing programs
  • Grid Value ($G): Predicts carcass-based profit from quality and yield grades—i.e., premiums on the grid
    • Higher number = better marbling and red meat yield
    • Contributing Traits: CW, MARB, RE, and FAT
    • Best to Target For: Producers marketing cattle on a carcass grid or targeting high-quality beef programs
  • Beef Value ($B): A terminal index that combines $F (feedlot) + $G (grid) into a single number
    • Higher number = better growth and carcass value 
    • Contributing Traits: YW, DMI, CW, MARB, RE, and FAT
    • Best to Target For: Producers focusing on terminal traits (calves won’t be retained as replacements)
  • Combined Value ($C): A comprehensive index that includes maternal and terminal traits—from cow fertility to carcass value
    • Higher number = stronger lifetime profitability
    • Contributing Traits: CED, WW, YW, DMI, CEM, MILK, HP, TEAT, UDDR, FL, MW, DOC, ANGLE, CLAW, MARB, CW, RE and FAT
    • Best to Target For: Balanced operations that want replacement-quality females and high-value feeder or carcass cattle

What Makes An EPD "Good"?

This is where many people get confused—and it’s okay. EPDs are relative values. There’s no universal “good” number. What matters is how that number compares to the rest of the breed.

To know whether an EPD is strong or weak: 

  • Visit the breed association’s website
  • Look up the current EPD averages and percentile rankings

Percentiles show where an animal ranks—a trait in the top 10% is better than 90% of the breed

Black Angus Breed Averages
Black Angus Percentile breakdowns

What About Highland Cattle?

Highlands do not currently have EPDs through their breed registry (AHCA). Here’s why:

  • AHCA does not collect large-scale performance or carcass data
  • The breed is primarily selected for maternal traits, hardiness, docility, and niche markets
  • Most Highlands are evaluated by conformation, behavior, and long-term maternal quality, not by predictive data

Since Highlands don’t have EPDs, here are some ways that you can evaluate them: 

  • Look at pedigree and history
  • Assess temperament, structure, and mothering ability
  • Ask about calving history, calf survival, and longevity

What traits matter most for your goals?

You should always select the most important traits for your herd. But be careful, you don’t want to over select a trait too hard while neglecting all of the others. The goal is for your herd to have good genetics while remaining balanced. With that in mind, the following are a few examples of some key traits that you can focus on depending on different goals:

  • Heifer calving ease ->  CED, BW, CEM
  • Weaning profitability -> WW, MILK, $W
  • Long-term cow herd -> HP, CEM, $M, TEAT, UDDR
  • Carcass premiums -> MARB, RE, CW, $G, $B
  • Balanced profitability -> $C
  • Sound structure -> CLAW, ANGLE, TEAT, UDDR
  • Low-input cows -> $M, $EN, moderate MW and MILK

Final Thoughts and Considerations

EPDs simplify complex genetics—but they’re not always simple to understand.
Used correctly, they let you breed cattle that work smarter, grow faster, and last longer.

While EPDs are powerful tools for predicting an animal’s genetic potential, they don’t tell the whole story. A heifer with elite numbers may not fetch top dollar if she lacks pedigree depth, visual appeal, or marketing presence — while another with more moderate EPDs might sell sky-high thanks to a proven cow family, exceptional structure, or donor potential.

The takeaway? EPDs are part of the equation, not the whole picture. Sound structure, fertility, maternal instincts, disposition, and long-term value all matter — and often buyers pay for balance, reputation, and future potential, not just percentile ranks.

At Wright Land & Cattle Co., we are committed to helping you understand the genetics behind every animal we raise. Whether you’re buying a Black Angus bull with top 10% growth traits or a Highland heifer with exceptional docility, we’re here to walk you through the numbers—or the tradition—behind each breed.

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