The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) has announced two significant updates for the April 2025 dairy genetic evaluations: revised lifetime merit indices and a genetic base change. These updates, approved by the CDCB Board of Directors on December 18, 2024, aim to enhance the accuracy and relevance of genetic tools for dairy producers.
Updated Lifetime Merit Indices
Starting April 1, 2025, dairy producers will receive evaluations for Lifetime Net Merit $ (NM$), Lifetime Cheese Merit $ (CM$), Lifetime Fluid Merit $ (FM$), and Lifetime Grazing Merit $ (GM$) based on new economic weights and an updated genetic base. These indices, developed in partnership with the USDA-ARS Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, guide producers in selecting traits that maximize lifetime profitability.
Key updates include adjustments to the economic weights of individual traits, with an increased emphasis on feed efficiency, milk component pricing, and fertility. For instance, the weight for fat in NM$ has increased from 28.6 to 31.8, while the weight for protein decreased from 19.6 to 13. These changes reflect evolving market demands and research advancements.
Genetic Base Change
The genetic base for evaluations will shift to cows born in 2020, ensuring selection tools align with the current dairy herd. This update, occurring every five years, adjusts predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) to reflect genetic progress over time. Preliminary estimates suggest notable PTA increases for milk (+750 pounds for Holsteins), fat (+45 pounds), and protein (+30 pounds).
What to Expect
- Impact on Rankings: Minimal reranking of animals is expected, with a 0.992 correlation between current and updated NM$ values.
- Breeding Strategy Adjustments: Producers should consider these updates when planning 2025 breeding strategies to optimize herd performance.
Additional information will be shared in early 2025 through the CDCB website and e-newsletter. A technical document from USDA-AGIL will also be available in January.
About CDCB
Since 2013, CDCB has overseen national genetic evaluations and benchmarks for the U.S. dairy industry, leveraging the National Cooperator Database. Collaborating with USDA-ARS, CDCB continues to drive innovation in genetic methodologies, traits, and tools to advance dairy cattle breeding.
For more details, visit uscdcb.com.
