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we change one of the traits by one unit, how does this change our profitability?” These values become the foundation for the weight- ings of the EPDs in the index. The weightings are then modified based on the genetic relationship between the ERT and the indicator trait for which we have an EPD. The majority of economic index values are rigid (i.e., not catered to individual enterprises) but have been shown to be very reliable tools and robust across production and market envi- ronments. A more desirable method would use individu- alized index values where the bull with the highest index value may differ from one herd to the next, de- pending on how the ani- mal fits the specific needs of each enterprise. This requires commercial bull buyers to have the requisite information needed to in- form such an index. Although decision sup- port software to enable user-defined indices has been attempted in the past (e.g., DECI) the amount of information needed to pa- rameterize the model was too cumbersome for most commercial producers. A more comprehensive ap- proach that contemplates across-breed sire selection, heterosis, and user-defined costs and returns, is the objective of a current U.S. Department of Agriculture- funded project, including team members from the University of Nebraska-Lin- coln, the U.S. Meat Animal

Research Center, Kansas State University and Theta Solutions, LLC. Summary When making selection decisions based on eco- nomic indices, it’s important to consider your particu- lar breeding objective and the traits that will achieve desired production goals.

Commercial producers have a lot on their plates simply running their ranches. Do not let bull selection become too time-consuming. Use the tools that science has proven, rely on experts in the field of genetics, and focus your time and energy on the tasks that you excel at. PT

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