An understanding of where an animal ranks in the breed for a particular trait EPD is extremely valuable as a selection tool. Percentile rankings can be misleading if not used in the proper context. Similar examples could be given for other traits. Perhaps most importantly, the general merit of the breed for each trait needs to be considered along with where an individual bull ranks within that breed. These accuracy values range from 0 to 1.0.
High accuracies are indicative of animals that have a large number of progeny records.
The accuracy level also gives us an indication of how much the EPD may change. EPDs with low accuracies are more likely to change with additional information, as compared to EPDs with high accuracy values. Bull A and Bull B have equivalent birth weight EPDs. We are more confident in the published EPD of Bull A, and there is less risk involved with mating him to heifers. Even on young yearling bulls, EPDs are the most effective selection tool available.