What does it mean?

This page is provided to define/describe the various terms and abbreviations used throughout our catalog and web site.  These are listed in the order they occur in each catalog entry.

Please, don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. sandchar@sbtc.net

Lot #:  Generally, at Sandmeier Charolais, you will find the first number of the lot number is the year the calf was born.  If the lot number begins with a 3, it was born in 2003;  if it begins with a 6, it was born in 2006; etc.

DOB:  The date of birth for the calf.

EPD:  Expected Progeny Differency, which is the expected difference in performance of a bull's progeny compared to the average progeny performance of all bulls evaluated within the breed.

BW:  Birth Weight

BW-EPD:  Birth Weight EPD.  

adj WW:  This is taking the weaning weight of the calf and adjusting it to a 205 day adjusted weight to allow for comparison.

WW-EPD:  Weaning weight EPD. 

adj YW:  This adjusts the weight to a 365 day weight for comparison.

YW-EPD: Yearling weight EPD.  

Milk:  Milk EPD.  

TM:  Total Maternal EPD.  

adj Rib:  This is determined by ultra-sounding of the bull.  It indicates the size of the rib muscle.

IM:  Determined by ultra-sound, Intramuscular fat.  The quality grade is based upon the percent of intramuscular fat.  These numbers convert to the USDA grading as follows: 
                7.0 to 9.0 = mid-choice.
                5.8 to 7.0 = low choice
                5.8 and below = select

Gain: Rate of Gain, the pounds gained per day from weaning.

GeneSTAR:  (more information on GeneSTAR can be found at www.bovigen.com)

The GPD Charts are located at the bottom of this page.

Marb - Marbling: GeneSTAR® Quality Grade: The GeneSTAR® Quality Grade is a DNA genetic marker panel test offered by Bovigen LLC, which identifies the presence of four major genes associated with Quality Grade and marbling. This Panel Test includes TG5, which was the first gene marker test available to the beef industry. Each of the four gene markers in this panel have been found to be highly associated with quality grade in multiple evaluations across multiple breeds of cattle. Moreover, this panel of markers is the only marbling or quality grade test to have passed an independent validation by the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. By combining DNA tests with other information, such as EPDs, it is possible to make breeding decisions that are based on more precise information regarding each individual animal’s genetics and to ultimately shorten the time and number of generations necessary to see practical results.

Marb. GPD - Marbling GPD:  GeneSTAR Quality Grade Genetic Progeny Difference.  The table for Quality Grade shows what the Genetic Progeny Difference is with the various mapping combinations.  An animal with a 2-2-2-2 has a 34% greater possibility of grading choice or better than a mapping of 0-0-0-0, or a mapping of 1-1-1-1 will have a 17% greater possibility of grading choice or better than a 0-0-0-0.  With today's choice/select price spread to get even a 5% or 10% improvement does make a difference.

Tend - Tenderness: GeneSTAR Tenderness:  GeneSTAR® Tenderness was the first multi-marker single trait test commercially available to the beef industry. In its current form, it combines three markers from two different and independent genes. GeneSTAR® Tenderness identifies animals that are more likely to produce tender cuts of beef. GeneSTAR® Tenderness is a DNA marker test for two important genes, Calpastatin & Calpain, involved in the postmortem tenderization process of beef. Animals carrying the favorable forms of the genes have been found to significantly reduce the proportion of “tough” eating experiences. The impact of these two genes on tenderness has been well documented for quite some time. However, through the use of DNA tests first available from Bovigen, there is now an effective and efficient tool available to use this knowledge in making breeding and management decisions.

Tend GPD - Tenderness GPD:  GeneSTAR Tenderness Genetic Progeny Difference.  The GeneSTAR Genetic Progeny difference for tenderness is measured by the Wasner-Bratzler Shear Force, in terms of pounds of pressure that it takes to cut a core sample of a ribeye.  An animal with a genetic map of 2-2-2 will have a steak that will take 2.2 lb less pressure to cut, therefore being more tender than an animal with a 0-0-0 map.  The technology to measure the tenderness of a carcass at chain speed is currently available,  therefore the progeny of the bulls in this sale may very well enter a market that will be pricing tenderness.

Feed Eff. - Feed Efficiency: GeneSTAR® Feed Efficiency. The GeneSTAR® Feed Efficiency consists of four markers which together identify as much as a 15% difference in daily feed consumption with no affect on other traits like Average Daily Gain, Carcass Weight, Quality Grade or Yield Grade. Producers can use the GeneSTAR® Feed Efficiency test to identify up to a $50 difference in feed cost between animals when ration costs are at $165/ton. In the case of GeneSTAR® Feed Efficiency, the Genetic Progeny Difference (GPD) is expressed as fewer lbs of feed eaten per day. As such, a more negative number means a more efficient animal. In other words, an animal with STAR results of 2,2,0,2 and a GPD® of -3.48 will eat 3 lbs less feed each day than an animal with STAR results of 0,0,2,0 and a GPD® of -0.48.

F.E. GPD - Feed Efficiency GPD:  GeneSTAR Feed Efficiency Genetic Progeny Difference. GeneSTAR feed efficiency is based on Net Feed Intake (NFI).  NFI is the difference between an animal’s actual feed intake compared to the amount of feed the animal is expected to eat, based on the animal’s size and expected rate of growth.  Feed efficiency consists of four markers which together identify as much as a 15% difference in daily feed consumption with no affect on average daily gain, carcass weight, yield grade, or quality grade. The feed efficiency trait affects a cow-calf operation where feed costs typically amount to 65% of total cost of maintaining a cow, or a feed yard where 15% less feed consumed will affect profitability. The measure for feed efficiency is Genetic Progeny Difference (GPD).  As you see in the table , an animal with a genetic map of 2-2-2-2 will consume 3.96 lbs of feed less per day than an animal who has a 0-0-0-0 map, (yielding a -3.96 in the table). Both animals would have the same Average Daily Gain and have the same body composition.  The table shows every combination of feed savings from a 2-2-2-2 to 0-0-0-0 genetic map.

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