Executive Summary
accurate results with the new evaluation process. BOLT will also provide weekly EPD updates when it is released this year. We should expect narrower ranges for EPDs with less standard deviation. There will be some decrease accuracies on cattle, but they will more truly represent what the real accuracies are on individuals.
Amen updated on additional details on BOLT including the following:
• Breed contrast will make more sense in the BOLT test evaluations.
• Calving ease and growth traits will be estimated from the IGS cooperating breed data.
• Carcass traits will utilize US-MARC data based off 2014 contrast.
• Development is underway of“ Master Database” for breeds to upload new and changed records to eliminate extract errors.
• Inclusion of ET animals( methodology already deployed in Hereford BOLT).
Additionally, thank you to the members who are engaged and participating in the newly restructured LIMS program redesigned last year by the NALF board and staff. The value of whole herd reporting and turning in weight trait data along with registering the whole herd improves the value of EPD evaluation tremendously. The restructure of the LIMS program has been a success thanks to the membership and will help with EPD prediction value as the breed moves forward over the next decade. Reporting your whole heard increases EPD accuracy and turning in all your cattle also helps your EPD’ s on superior cattle by reporting the bottom end as well.
14 | MARCH 2018
The NALF board and staff looks forward to serving you in 2018. Please don’ t hesitate to call the NALF staff with any questions you may have regarding services or questions moving into the future. Congratulations to newly elected directors, Bruce Lawrence, Wade Beckman, Charles Linhart and Randy Corns. We would also like to thank our retiring 2-term president Bret Begert, retiring NALF directors Dennis Alt, Chris Milam, Fred Wacker and 2-term ex-officio Chad Settje for all their hard work and dedication to the breed. I