Heifers are predicted to weigh 100 lb less than steers of the frame size. USDA grades are used mainly for official market reports. But in commercial trading, order-buyer grades are more common, and they are not standardized. These numerical designations are not the same as the USDA thickness scores. Order-buyer numbers are overall preference scores which include a number of factors affecting price, not just muscling.
Many breeders think so.
A collaborative study involving Kentucky and Georgia researchers was conducted, using data from the Angus, Gelbvieh, and Limousin breed associations. They found essentially no relationship between variability of progeny and the magnitude of the difference in the EPD's of a sire's parents. A study of cattle sold through eastern Oklahoma auctions documents things you can do to increase calf price. Ultrasound Estimates Of Carcass Merit Several breed associations now use ultrasound estimates of live animals, in addition to actual carcass measurements, to calculate EPD for carcass factors. These estimates, if made by qualified technicians, have been shown to be highly related to actual measurements.