Genetic evaluation tool
Compare bulls of different breeds on one scale
EPDs only compare bulls within the same breed. Enter two bulls' published EPDs and this calculator adds the 2026 USMARC adjustment factors to put both on an Angus base, so the numbers can be compared directly.
How does a breed compare with Angus?
To compare a Brahman bull's weaning weight EPD with an Angus bull's, add +54.9 lb.
To compare EPDs across breeds, add the USMARC adjustment factor for that breed and trait to the bull's EPD. The 2026 factors use Angus as the base (Angus factors are zero). For example, a Brahman bull's weaning weight EPD gets +54.9 lb, while a Hereford's gets −14.3 lb. Brahman marbling EPDs are divided by 100 before the factor is added.
Compare two bulls
Across-breed comparison (Angus base)
| Trait | Bull A Brahman | Bull B Angus | Difference (A − B) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth weightBW · lb | +9.8 | +0.5 | +9.3 |
| Weaning weightWW · lb | +72.9 | +75.0 | −2.1 |
| Yearling weightYW · lb | +49.7 | +130.0 | −80.3 |
| MilkMilk · lb | +17.2 | +25.0 | −7.8 |
| MarblingMarb · score | −0.57 | +0.80 | −1.37 |
| Ribeye areaREA · in² | +0.38 | +0.70 | −0.32 |
| Fat thicknessFat · in | −0.131 | +0.020 | −0.151 |
| Carcass weightCW · lb | −17.4 | +50.0 | −67.4 |
2026 adjustment factors (add to the breed EPD)
| Breed | BW | WW | YW | Milk | Marb | REA | Fat | CW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angus | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| Hereford | 0.8 | -14.3 | -24.0 | -12.8 | -0.25 | 0.01 | -0.068 | -68.2 |
| Red Angus | 2.3 | -19.4 | -21.2 | 0.8 | -0.04 | 0.32 | -0.029 | -3.8 |
| Shorthorn | 4.0 | -21.9 | -20.1 | 0.2 | -0.03 | 0.29 | -0.027 | -7.3 |
| South Devon | 2.9 | -27.9 | -44.2 | 4.5 | -0.09 | 0.27 | -0.036 | -20.7 |
| Beefmaster | 3.1 | 25.7 | 20.2 | 6.8 | — | — | — | — |
| Brahman | 8.6 | 54.9 | 19.7 | 13.2 | -0.67 | 0.08 | -0.141 | -37.4 |
| Brangus | 3.1 | 28.9 | 24.3 | 12.6 | — | — | — | — |
| Santa Gertrudis | 4.5 | 39.8 | 45.2 | 20.8 | -0.38 | 0.20 | -0.077 | 1.1 |
| Braunvieh | 1.6 | -16.0 | -30.6 | 18.2 | -0.03 | 0.49 | -0.041 | -16.9 |
| Charolais | 7.3 | 6.0 | -13.0 | -1.8 | -0.27 | 0.76 | -0.179 | 10.2 |
| Chiangus | 3.0 | -14.6 | -22.3 | -1.8 | -0.48 | 0.48 | -0.116 | -27.7 |
| Gelbvieh | 2.9 | -8.6 | -15.9 | 6.0 | -0.44 | 0.62 | -0.088 | -17.5 |
| Limousin | 1.7 | -3.9 | -14.6 | -8.9 | -0.22 | 0.62 | -0.062 | -11.5 |
| Maine-Anjou | 1.6 | -27.2 | -34.5 | -6.4 | -0.45 | 0.85 | -0.146 | -35.8 |
| Salers | 2.3 | -9.4 | -14.7 | 3.8 | -0.15 | 0.45 | -0.064 | -21.2 |
| Simmental | 2.2 | -10.9 | -16.8 | 0.0 | -0.08 | 0.43 | -0.051 | -4.0 |
| Tarentaise | 1.9 | 26.6 | 13.8 | 15.1 | — | — | — | — |
How to use across-breed EPDs well
- Use current EPDs. The factors are built for each breed’s latest national evaluation. Pull EPDs from the association’s current data, not an old catalog.
- Compare like with like. Across-breed EPDs predict differences between bulls’ progeny when both are mated to the same cows. They do not include heterosis (hybrid vigor) from crossbreeding.
- Watch the blanks. USMARC publishes no carcass factors for Beefmaster, Brangus and Tarentaise, so those traits can’t be compared across breeds.
- Check accuracy too. A high EPD with low accuracy can move a lot. Look at accuracy alongside the adjusted number.
Source
January 2026 adjustment factors to add to EPDs of eighteen breeds (USMARC) — USDA ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, via the 2026 ABEPD fact sheet.