NCBA: EPD Uptake Low - Why?
US - Despite being around for more than 30 years, there is still a reluctance in the industry to adopt the use of estimated progeny differences (EPDs), writes Charlotte Johnston, TheCattleSite editor.
2 February 2012
1 minute read
Speaking after the NCBA's Cattlemen's College in Nashville, Matt Spangler from the University of Nebraska Lincoln said that there a couple of reasons that this is the case.
"There is likely some confusion over the use of EPDs with cow-calf producers," said Mr Spangler.
"Often producers can't see the benefits or how EPDs differ from the actual results."
Mr Spangler also said that the age of ranchers is an issue. "For the older generation who didn't grow up with these advances in technology, changes can be hard to adapt to."
A lot of time has been spent on education programmes to explain the benefits of EPDs to the industry. Mr Spangler believes that this should be focused on the younger generations who will take over the management of these ranches in the future.
He also said that nucleus breeders must use the right tools, and if they get it right then the benefits will trickle on down through the industry.
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