I don't watch EPD's much except as a general guidline like OT mentioned--so that you don't find any extremes. Speaking of Angus, cuz I don't know much about other breeds--there are maternal Angus and paternal Angus.
They have crossed them up somewhat, but you can still find them in the pedigree.
I look at cow families, mainly because we are interested in the females.
The steer calves to us are a by-product of the females. Selecting
purely for weaning weight, in my opinion, is single-trait selection and
will get you in trouble at some point.
Watch the mature size on bulls on cows. In our country, MODERATE is best, unless you want to use supplemental feed, which we don't. Our cows get hay and mineral. Period. And sometimes the hay isn't the best; but we
mix it so they get some good with some poorer, if necessary. Time to make another point about GET YOUR HAY TESTED, then you know what you have...you are not guessing...best money you can spend...in the north country anyway...
Gosh, got off the subject.
Guess what I would tell you, IT AIN'T EASY...takes some research...and like an old fella told us when we got started...go to a good breeder and buy the middle, don't go to a poor breeder and buy the top...that has worked for us for many, many years.
Good luck!!