dairy cattle | NAV - Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation

NAV Evaluation

12/08/2025 by Terhi Vahlsten

The third NAV routine evaluation for this year took place as scheduled. NAV Bull Search has been updated with new EBV’s and GEBV’s.

NAV Beef Search is also updated with new beef x dairy breeding values.

In this evaluation weight factors were slightly modified in udder index for RDC. There is now more emphasis on teat length and thickness, while the weight on udder depth has been slightly reduced. Read more about the changes from a paper Fine-tuning of the udder index in RDC.

Myth Buster, part 2

04/08/2025 by Terhi Vahlsten

It is claimed that Nordic bulls drop more in NTM compared to foreign bulls when they become proven. Is this true or just a myth?

Find out in part two of Myth Busters!

First Nordic Methane Index

06/05/2025 by Terhi Vahlsten

In May evaluation NAV introduces the first methane index for Holstein AI-bulls. The phenotypic registration used in the methane index is the methane concentration. The idea is that a lower methane concentration from a cow indicates lower methane production. In the beginning methane index is only for Holstein AI-bulls and the results are published at NAV homepage. For the November evaluation the methane index will also be available for Holstein females and hopefully next year also for Jersey and RDC.

Read more about the new methane index from the paper First Nordic methane index and look for the index values for Holstein bulls.

Myth Buster, part 1

24/04/2025 by Terhi Vahlsten

Cattle breeding is full of myths and the question is are they true or fake. In MythBuster NAV will test with facts if the myths are just myths or if they actually are true.

The first myth is about older cows and if their progeny really is better.

Find out if the myth is true or fake from the paper Older cows with proven potential, give better heifers .

NAV Genomic Evaluation

01/04/2025 by Terhi Vahlsten

The latest NAV routine genomic evaluation took place as scheduled. NAV carried out genomic prediction for Holstein, RDC and Jersey. Genomic breeding values of bulls are updated to NAV Bull Search after each evaluation.