Dairy Evaluations

NAV Evaluation

by

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.

Read more from the NAV newsletter.

New Interbull breeding values are updated to NAV Interbull Search.

NAV Genomic Evaluation and NAV Beef Evaluation

by

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.

NAV has also released breeding values for purebred beef bulls and cows. Beef breeding values are updated to NAV Beef Search.

Read more from the NAV newsletter.

NAV Evaluation

by

The second NAV routine evaluation this year took place as scheduled. The NAV Bull Search has been updated with the new EBV’s and GEBV’s. NAV Beef Search is also updated with new beef x dairy breeding values.

In this evaluation single step method was introduced for yield traits and it replaces the so called two step method. Single step uses all information from genotyped and non-genotyped animals simultaneously. The introduction of single step method has caused changes to the yield index. In general, the changes are small but for some animals the changes are more significant. Because yield has the highest weight in NTM, changes in yield index has a large affect on NTM.

In this evaluation NAV introduces the first methane index. It is calculated for Holstein bulls born after 2008 and they need to be genomic tested in the Nordic system and has paid the Nordic fee or has official NTM and minimum of 10 daughters with methane observations. The results can be found on the NAV homepage.

Read more about the changes in: