2020 EPD Calculation
This year's deadline to submit your fiber for testing to be included in the 2020 Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) calculation is August 10.
SGS will test your fleece samples, email your histograms directly to you, and submit your trait data to AOA to be included in the EPD calculation. AlpacaGram 7.55 has step-by-step instructions on submitting your fleece samples.
EPD…How Do I Learn More?
Why Should I Participate?
Registry and Association member can login on the website www.alpacainfo.com, and read through 23 articles about EPDs! Available articles include include “EPD: What It’s About and Why Is It Good for My Program”; “EPD: A Business and Marketing Perspective” “EPD — A Useful Tool for Herd Improvement”; “How EPDs Help You Breed Better Alpacas” and many others. Dr. Enns' video on Genetic Improvement is a must see and takes approximately 1.5 hours to view.
So what are EPDs? EPDs are genetic predictions that producers can use when making breeding and buying decisions. EPDs are not unique to alpaca owners. These values are readily available on registered animals from most livestock associations. It was member feedback that led to the development of the AOA EPD program in 2007.
Every year we have seen increased participation in the AOA EPD program as our members have learned how EPDs can help them with their breeding and buying decisions, resulting in the production of higher quality fleece. At the end of 2019, there were 73,348 Huacayas and 16,213 Suris with EPDs.
For many livestock species, producers not only utilize EPDs to help with their breeding and buying decisions, those wishing to market animals will often market them using the EPD information. If you look at your alpacas on the AOA website, when you click on an individual alpaca, you can then click on “Promo Sheet” to print a promotional sheet that includes EPD and pedigree information that can assist you in marketing your alpacas.
AOA performs EPD calculations once a year, which is why fleece samples must be submitted for testing by August 10 in order to be included in the current year evaluation. All of the information you need regarding how to collect and submit samples is located at www.alpacainfo.com. We hope that you will learn more about EPDs and consider submitting data for the next calculation.
Fleeces can be tested year-round, but to have your trait data included in the next calculation submit your samples by August 10, 2020.
Trait data is confidential. EPD data is confidential unless you choose to mark it public.
Submit your fleece samples today!
Easy. Convenient. Confidential.
