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Market
When calves will be marketed and the replacement strategy of the herd are important factors in determining breeding objectives. Marketing endpoint will influence the growth trait that should be selected for. For example, if calves will be sold at weaning then the Weaning Direct EPD will be the most appropriate selection tool for growth, but if retaining ownership and selling on the rail, then the Carcass Weight EPD would be the proper growth selection tool. Replacement strategy will determine if maternal traits should be included in your breeding objectives or not. If daughters of a bull will be kept as replacements then maternal EPD will need to be considered. For example, Calving Ease Maternal EPD can be used to decrease calving difficulty in future retained heifers. The level of milk necessary in replacement females would also need to be considered in relation to management practices and the availability and quality of nutrients.
