American Angus Association Dollar Value Indexes

Maternal weaned calf value is an index expressed in dollar per head, predicts profitability differences in progeny due to genetics from conception to weaning. $M is build off of a self-replacing herd model where commercial cattlemen replace 25% of their breeding females in the first generation and 20% in subsequent generations. Remaining cull female and all male progeny are sold as feeder calves. Increased selection pressure on $M Ians to decrease overall mature cow size and improve foot structure and fertility while maintaining weaning weights consistent with today's production. 

Weaned calf value is an index expressed in dollars per head, provides the expected difference in future progeny preweaning preformation from birth to weaning. $W assumes that producers retain 20% of the renal progeny for replacements and sell the rest of their cull females and male progeny as feeder claves. Over time, increased selection pressure on $W will increase weaning and maternal milk traits while also continuing to increase mature cow size. 

Cow energy value is expressed in dollars savings per cow per year, assesses difference in cow energy requirements as an expected dollar savings difference in daughters of sires. A larger value is more favorable when comparing two animals (more dollars saved on feed energy expenses). Components for computing the cow $EN savings difference include lactation energy requirements and energy costs associated with differences in mature cow size. 

Feedlot value is an index expressed in dollars per head, is expected average difference in future progeny performance for post-weaning merit compared to progeny of other sires. The underlying objective assumes commercial producers will retain ownership of cattle through the feedlot phase and sell fed cattle on a carcass weight basis with no considerations on premiums or discounts for quality and yield grade.  

Grid value is an index value expressed in dollars per carcass, is the expected average difference in future progeny performance for carcass grid merit compared to progeny of other sires. The $G combines quality grade and yield grade attributes, and is calculated for animals with carcass EPDs. A seven-year rolling average is used to establish typical industry economic values for quality grade and yield grade schedules. Quality grade premiums are specified for Prime, CAB and Choice carcasses, as well as Select and Standard discounts. Yield grade premiums are incorporated for Yield Grade (YG) 1 and YG 2 (high-yielding carcasses), with discounts for YG 4 and YG 5 (low red meat yields).

Beef value is an index expressed in dollars per carcass, facilitates simultaneous multi-trait genetic selection for feedlot and carcass merit. $B represents the expected average differences in the progeny post weaning performance and carcass value compared to the progeny of other sires. This index assumes commercial producers wean all male and female progeny, retain ownership of these animals through the feedlot process, and market these animals on a quality-based carcass grid. 

Combined value is an index expressed in dollars per head, includes all traits that make up both $M and $B with the objective that commercial producers will replace 20% of their breeding females per year with replacement heifers retained within their own herd. The remaining cull heifer and steer progeny are then assumed to be sent to the feedlot where the producers will retain ownership of those cattle and eventually sell them on a quality-based carcass merit grid.