• DEFINITION: An EPD for a given trait is the difference that is expected between the average trait value of a particular animal’s progeny and the average trait value in the rest of the population (all the measured alpacas in the IAC virtual herd). So, an EPD value allows you to determine how much better or worse than average each animal is for every trait. For example, if the alpaca male named SuperStud has an EPD of +1 cm for staple length, it means that his progeny are expected to have an average staple length that is 1 cm LONGER than the average in the population.
As you can see from the EPD's listed above, Hemingway's Tequila and progeny demonstrate remarkable superiority in both fiber diameter and total fleece weight. (25 progeny were tested) Although we are in the early stages of developing EPD's, we can say with a high degree of confidence that the EPD's for Tequila compared to the average of all the "StudMasters" or the entire I.A.C. demonstrates that the superior genetics are being passed to the progeny.This means that if breeding to an average Dam, the Sire would contribute to improving both the fleece weight and fiber diameter. Again, out thanks to The Ideal Alpaca Community for allowing us to share this information. You may visit their website Here