In this second episode of Behind the Beef, Madison and Becky break down the fundamentals of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). Aimed at both newcomers and experienced producers, this conversation treats EPDs as the "dribbling and passing" of cattle data - essential skills to master before diving into complex management plays.

• What is an EPD?: A look at the high-level data used to predict an animal's genetic potential.

• The Three Building Blocks: Discover how EPDs are generated using pedigree connectivity, performance data (weights and measures), and modern DNA technology.

• The Power of Accuracy: Understand the decimal-based accuracy scale (0 to 1.0) and why higher accuracy provides more confidence for critical breeding decisions, such as selecting bulls for heifers.

• Balancing Multiple Traits: Learn how to use Economic Indexes (like $B or API) to weigh multiple EPDs simultaneously, helping you meet long-term herd goals without getting lost in the numbers.

• Common Pitfalls: Why you shouldn't compare EPDs across different breed databases and how to use percentile rankings to see how an animal stacks up against the industry average.

Whether you're a seedstock producer or a commercial cattleman, this episode provides a clear starting point for using genetic data to improve your bottom line.

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