Bull A has weaning EPD +30 lb and Bull B has weaning EPD +20 lb. If mated randomly, calves at weaning would weigh on average how many pounds more for Bull A's progeny?

• A. 8
• B. 10
• C. 12
• D. 14

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that EPDs express how much more (or less) offspring are expected to weigh at a given point due to the sire’s genetics. When you compare two bulls and matings are random, the difference in their weaning weights translates directly to the average difference in their calves’ weaning weights.

Bull A has a weaning EPD of +30 lb and Bull B has +20 lb, so the calves from Bull A are expected to weigh about 10 pounds more at weaning on average. That 10-pound difference reflects the sire-related genetic contribution, acknowledging that individual results will vary due to environment and other factors.