On May 23, 2025, routine updates and new enhancements were introduced to the Sire Evaluation Report and the National Cattle Evaluation (NCE). These updates aim to improve the accuracy and performance of genetic evaluations within the Angus breed.

$Values updates

With the release of long-awaited functional longevity (FL), teat size (TEAT) and udder suspension (UDDR) expected progeny differences (EPDs; read more in “By the Numbers” in the May 2025 Angus Journal or online, the next step was to include them in the Maternal Weaned Calf Value ($M) index. 

Table 1: Prediction accuracy and bias of the previous and new model sese additions enhance $M’s precision in predicting fertile and functional females. Updating the model to include these two new traits meant moving to a $M model for 12 traits instead of nine, meaning the economic weight partitioned to each trait had to change. 

Annual updates to the $Value indexes’ economic assumptions also took place using cost and revenue data sourced from CattleFax. This routine update relies on a seven-year rolling average to account for market fluctuations, input costs and other economic factors.

Following last year’s trend, ration costs and weaned calf sale prices continue to rise. In May 2025, average ration costs continued to rise from $225 to $237 while the average days on feed increased four days for steers and heifers. Weaned steer and heifer calf prices increased with averages reaching $203 per hundredweight (cwt.) for weaned steers and $183 per cwt. for weaned heifers, increasing from $182 and $164 per cwt. respectively on the seven-year rolling average.

The fed, dressed and delivered prices also increased for steers and heifers from $206 to $221. The changes in the economic pricing structure have ben similar to those we have witnessed in previous years. Continued economic signals from the supply chain place continued emphasis on increased weight at weaning and when hanging cattle on the rail. Even with the changes in the economic assumptions, the relative ratio between costs and revenues remains similar. Therefore, the effects of changes in these values were relatively small compared to the other changes that took place. 

The most change in the $Value indexes was driven by the additional traits and updates on current traits inside of $M, which changes $C (Combined Value). Animals with more desirable FL or TEAT and UDDR EPDs, on average, saw a favorable increase in the profit per individual expressed through $M. The overall correlations between previous and current $M were high, above 0.9. As a reminder, a correlation of 1.0 would be exactly the same ranking in individuals.  

HP heritability update

Updating genetic parameters and heritability is a routine and necessary procedure as the population changes and evolves due to selection and as additional data is reported. 

One key change was a reduction in heifer pregnancy (HP) heritability from 0.15 to 0.07. Heritability tells us how much of the variation in a trait comes from genetics, affecting EPDs and their accuracies (ACC). Despite this drop, the correlation between new EPDs and those based on the previous heritability estimates remains high at 0.98. There was no substantial reranking in EPDs, although individual changes may be observed. 

Another noticeable change is the smaller spread in the HP EPDs due to a decrease in estimated genetic variance. There was also an 11% reduction in the average ACC. This decline is expected with a lower heritability and genetic variance. 

Although we often want heritability to go up and the spread of the EPD to increase, a combination of factors such as selection pressure, addition of phenotypes through the years and an update to the methodology of calculating variance components for binary traits all contribute to changes in heritability. 

Because of its binary nature, HP phenotypes do not follow the traditional bell-shaped distribution. More sophisticated models are necessary to estimate variance components and heritability and to calculate the EPD. 

The methodology updates used for HP variance components’ estimation allow for a more adequate modeling of this binary nature, resulting in better estimates of heritability. These new estimates are more precise, and better reflect the genetic architecture of HP in the Angus population. Even with a lower heritability, consistent selection decisions and data collection will ensure genetic progress continues.

Feed efficiency model

At the American Angus Association, dry matter intake (DMI) and residual average daily gain (RADG) EPDs are calculated weekly using a multitrait model. The feed efficiency model incorporates weaning weight (WW), postweaning gain (PG) and ultrasound backfat thickness (UFAT) as indicator traits. It is one of the most computationally intensive models.

To address the model’s complexity and improve efficiency, extensive research and testing culminated in updates released in May 2025. These enhancements included refining the contemporary group definition, introducing animal age as a model effect, improving the RADG formula, reestimating variance components and implementing a new modeling strategy to optimize computing time.

The new definition of contemporary groups accounts for the feed efficiency test environment while also incorporating early-life influences. This update is based on research showing early factors have a significant effect on performance. For breeders collecting feed efficiency records, at least two animals from the same birth herd, year and season must be present in test. Single animal records will be excluded. 

The research also highlights the importance of including the animal’s age at the start of a feed efficiency test in the model. Even though guidelines exist to make sure animals of similar age are tested, age variation in the data still exists and is considered. These updates lead to a higher prediction accuracy and less biased evaluation (Table 1). 

Table 1: Prediction accuracy and bias of the previous and 
new models

Prediction accuracy is not the same as individual EPD accuracy. Both prediction accuracy and bias are properties of the model and reflect how effectively it predicts EPDs.

With these updates and all the new data collected in previous years, genetic parameters, heritability estimates and genetic correlations were also reestimated. The dry matter intake heritability estimate now sits at 0.29, down slightly from the previous 0.33.

The correlation between EPDs from the updated previous model was 0.97 for DMI and 0.96 for RADG. While these correlations are relatively high, individual changes in EPDs and accuracy, along with a minor reranking of EPDs, were observed. Feed efficiency is included in the $B (Beef Value) and $F (Feedlot Value) economic indexes, so there also were changes in both indexes. The correlations between the $Values from the new and previous models were both 0.99. 

This high correlation is because $B and $F are composite indexes made up of multiple traits, which offsets the effect of changes in feed efficiency EPDs. No substantial reranking was observed for $B and $F, although slight changes occurred for some individual animals.

Annual genomic scores update

Genomic score updates are typically part of the annual May updates. However, this year’s genomic scores update and will occur in late June alongside the release of genomic scores for TEAT, UDDR and FL.  

The decoupling of genomic scores and Sire Evaluation Report improves internal efficiency for the Association and provides the most up-to-date information to breeders. 

The progeny equivalents table will be updated in late June, accounting for all May updates and providing the progeny equivalents for TEAT, UDDR and FL.

Final considerations

The 2025 spring updates mark another pivotal step in advancing the accuracy and performance of genetic evaluations within the Angus breed. These ongoing enhancements ensure genetic evaluations stay aligned with evolving needs. They empower Angus breeders with up-to-date, data-driven tools and support long-term success, productivity and profitability.