1. December 2014 Proof Changes

2. 2015 Genetic Base Change Will start with December 2014 Genetic Update
Average PTAs for cows born in 2010 are set to zero for all traits except:
Calving ease and stillbirth (set to breed average)
Somatic Cell Score (centered at 3.0)
Magnitude and direction of the base change for each trait reflects the genetic progress made in the last 5 years.
Source: CDCB –

3. Base Change for Key Traits
Unit
Holstein
Jersey
Milk
Pounds
382
327
Protein 12
Fat 17 19
Productive Life
Months
1.0
0.8
Somatic Cell Score
Log (base 2)
-0.07
0.04
DPR %
0.2
PTAT
0.99
0.53
Udder Composite
0.92
0.33
Foot and Let Composite
0.78
0.15
* For a complete list of traits visit:

4. TPI: Current Formula
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

5. TPI: New Formula Effective December 2014
December adjustment:
DPR replaced with new Fertility Index (FI)
Addition of a Feed Efficiency Index (FE)
Conformation returns to 2010 emphasis of ~25%
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

6. TPI Trait 2011 Weight Dec. 2014 Weight Protein 27% Fat 16% PTA Type
10% 8%
Dairy Form
-1%
UDC
12%
11%
FLC 6% PL 9% 7%
SCS
-5%
DPR
n/a
DCE
-2%
DSB
Fertility Index (FI)
13%
Feed Efficiency Index (FE) 3%
Category
Weight
Production
46%
Conformation
26%
Health
28%
TPI
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

7. Fertility Index (FI) Fertility Index Composite formula
64% daughter pregnancy rate (DPR)
18% heifer conception rate (HCR)
18% cow conception rate (CCR)
Goal: maintain rate of improvement in cow fertility
Weight for new trait comes from:
11%: DPR
2%: PL
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

8. Fertility Index (FI) CCR HCR
Measures a lactating cow’s ability to conceive
The percentage of inseminated cows pregnant at each service
HCR = 1 means lactating daughters of this bull are 1% more likely to become pregnant during lactation than daughters of an HCR=0 bull
HCR
Measures a virgin heifer’s ability to conceive
The percentage of inseminated heifers pregnant at each service
HCR = 1 means non-lactating daughters of this bull are 1% more likely to become pregnant as a heifer than daughters of an HCR=0 bull
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

9. Feed Efficiency Index (FE)
$ Value of milk produced
feed cost of extra milk
extra maintenance costs
Weight comes from:
2%: PTA Type
1%: UD
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

10. Traits Impacting Efficiency
Production
Type
Milk
Udder Composite (UDC)
Fat
Foot and Leg Composite (FLC)
Protein
*Body Composite (BDC)
Management
*Stature
Productive Life (PL)
*Dairy Form
*Somatic Cell Score (SCS)
Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR)
*Daughter Calving Ease (DCE)
*Traits have negative values
*Daughter Still Birth (DSB)

11. New TPI Formula More clearly rewards “efficient” cows
Top half of US Holsteins, ranked by TPI, produce +$159 through feed efficiency per lactation compared to bottom half
Continues positive trend in cow fertility
Correlates positively to higher scored cattle
Rate of stature increase will be slowed
Should better reflect the average farmer’s goals
Increased efficiency, smaller size, better fertility
Maintain emphasis on good uddered, strong cows
Impact of extremely high PL values will decrease
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

12. Lifetime Net Merit (NM$)
NM$ is a selection index for commercial dairy producers used for all breeds.
Based on US economic values for a market that rewards both fluid milk production and components.
Goal: produce cattle that will be profitable under future market conditions (3 to 5 years in the future).
Cheese Merit (CM$), Fluid Merit (FM$), and Grazing Merit (GM$ - new!) offer predictions for producers based on system/market.
Source: Cole 2014

13. Genetic Merit of Marketed Holstein Bulls
Average gain:
$85.60/year
Average gain:
$52.00/year
Average gain:
$19.77/year
Source: Wiggins 2014

14. New NM$ Formula December 2014
Why does the formula change?
New traits more accurately match the biology of the cow
Economic conditions change
Trait definitions can change
Why are these specific changes happening?
The export market is stronger than anticipated, adding stability to and increasing the price of US milk
Beef prices are extremely high
Replacement values are relatively low
The industry is self-correcting for SCS
Source: Cole 2014

15. Lifetime Net Merit Changes
Trait
2010 Weight
Dec Weight
Milk 0%
-1%
Fat
19%
22%
Protein
16%
20% PL
SCS
-10%
-7%
UDC 7% 8%
FLC 4% 3%
BDC
-6%
-5%
DPR
11%
HCR
n/a 2%
CCR 1%
CA$ 5%
Category
Weight
Production
43%
Conformation
16%
Health
41%

16. NM$ Index Explained CA$ HCR/CCR
A calving sub-index for Holsteins and Brown Swiss
Contains daughter and sire data
Holsteins: stillbirth, calving ease
Brown Swiss: calving ease
Other breeds receive 1.05 adjustment to all other traits
HCR/CCR
Will share fertility weight with DPR
Source: Cole 2014

17. New Index: Grazing Merit (GM$)
Will be calculated to meet unique management conditions of grazers
Primary changes:
More emphasis on fertility
Less emphasis on longevity
Will not include dairy form
Due to access to type records
Source: Cole 2014

18. Summary of Merit Index Changes
Trait
NM$
2010
CM$
2014
FM$
GM$
Milk -1 -9 23
Fat 19 20 22
Protein 16 24 18 PL 10
SCS
–10 -7 -3 -6 –7
UDC 7 6 8
FLC 4 2 3
BDC –6 -5 -4 –5
DPR 11
HCR … 1
CCR 5
CA$
Source: CDCB –
Source: C

19. Jersey Performance Index (JPI) Changes
Trait
Previous Weight
Dec Weight
Protein
42%
43%
Fat
15%
Functional Trait Index PL
12%
10%
SCS
-6%
DPR 7%
CCR
n/a 2%
HCR
Category
Weight
Production
58%
Conformation
15%
Health
27%
JPI
Source: HolsteinUSA 2014

20. New Jersey Performance Index (JPI)
Expected annual gains from JPI2015
5.2 pounds PTA Protein
6.2 pounds PTA Fat
6.7 days Productive Life
Improvement in Somatic Cell Score and female fertility.

21. Take Home Message There will always be changes
Genomic Predictions
Daughter Proofs
Formula Changes
WWS will always have high bulls
WWS continues to develop a diverse sire line-up that meets the genetic needs of all of our customers.
Key is to select bulls that fit the customer’s goals, then regardless of changes, genetic progress of the herd will continue.