Indiana Quality Plus Beef

Power Scores

This chapter will give you a better understanding of what power scores are and how you can use them in selecting bulls for your herd.

Why power scores?

Easy to understand
Serves as a tool to assist producers in evaluating sires and making decisions to improve cattle genetics
Allows for comparisons within a breed
Provides a sire selection index that includes the economically important traits
Can be applied to many different breeds

There are two kinds of power scores -

Performance power scores, calculated using EPD data.
Carcass power scores, which may be calculated using either EPD or ultrasound data.

The purpose of this chapter is to:

Further define these two kinds of power scores
Provide you with the background information on the calculation of power scores
Provide a power score calculator that can be used to determine power scores for bulls in your herd, or bulls you may be consider adding to your herd
Provide a site where bulls meeting minimum power score criteria can be listed.

Tools used in calculating power scores:

The most recent bulls EPD percentage breakdown for the breed to be evaluated. (This will be provided through the calculator for Angus and Simmental. You may also get this information from your breed association.)
EPD's for birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight and maternal milk for the performance power score.
Ultrasound and/or carcass EPD's for % retail product and % intra-muscular fat.

Goal: To provide healthy, safe, wholesome, high-quality beef and beef products that meet the needs of the consumer through a collaborative effort encompassing all aspects of production from conception to consumption.