What does 9 birth mean for an epd cow?

In the context of Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) for beef cattle, a birth weight EPD of 9 for an Angus cow means that, on average, her calves are predicted to weigh 9 pounds more at birth than the calves of average Angus cows. EPDs are estimates of the genetic potential of an animal for various traits, including birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, carcass weight, and other economically important traits. They are calculated using statistical methods that take into account the performance of the animal's ancestors and relatives.

A birth weight EPD of 9 for an Angus cow is considered to be moderate. Angus cattle are known for having relatively low birth weights compared to other beef breeds, so a birth weight EPD of 9 indicates that this cow's calves are expected to be slightly heavier than average for the breed. This could be advantageous in terms of reducing calving difficulty and ensuring calf survival.