Milk EPD is the measure of pounds of weaning weight resulting from milk produced by a sire's daughters. How much milk EPD you need in a sire depends upon your herd's production and your range and feed conditions. Consider this chart when making your decision.
| INTERPRETATION OF SIRE MILK EPD | |
|---|---|
| Sire's Milk EPD | Effect On Daughter's Production Average Prior to Any Selection or Culling |
| +15 and above | Rarely needed commercially - use only in herds very low in milk. |
| +10 to +14 | Calves wean in excellent condition in relation to genetic growth. A few daughters may be a little slower breeding back unless their nutritional requirements are met, particularly at a younger age. |
| +5 to +9 | Suitable to many range conditions and allows the more growthy calves to express their genetic potential. Regular reproductivity is sustained. |
| -5 to +4 | Adequate under most range conditions to wean a good-doing healthy calf |
| -10 to -6 | Calves' frame growth may be expressed but generally not carrying the condition/weight that more milk usually provides. |
| -15 to -11 | Under less than ideal conditions, calves show some signs of milk shortages and some reduction in frame and growth potential. |
| -20 to -16 | Calves show signs of nutritional shortages, rougher hair coats, and reduced growth potential, particularly from first-calf heifers. |
| -21 and below | Unthrifty calves with poor weaning weights - some stunting appears depending on environment; additional feeding may be required to obtain potential growth. |