Other Genetics Articles
- Upcoming Genetic Base Change: What to Expect
- Pave the way for a more Profitable Next Generation
- Are you choosing the best index?
- HHP$ - Formulated to Support Your Herd's Economic Goals
- Holstein's Fertility Index Shake Up
- Using HHP$ to Enhance Your Return on Investment
- WWS/Select Sires’ Elite Polled Lineup Leads Industry Ranks
- Genetics In The Drivers Seat
- Genetics Impacting Mastitis
- The Practice of Genetic Culling
- Fertility Matters in HHP$ Index
- Lameness Traits: Underused & Underestimated
- Sustainable Genetic Strategy
- The Genetic Strategy to Improve Sustainability
- What is New with Jersey Indexes
- Somatic Cell Count Impacts Everything
- Where does selecting to utilize feed fit into your genetic plan?
- Is There Such a Thing as a Grazing Genotype
- Inbreeding vs. Genetic Progress
- Mastitis Resistant Pro
- Recumbency in Holstein Calves
- Are All Genomic Tests Created Equal?
- Calf Wellness - The Next Generation
- Wellness and Disease Resistance
- HHP$ Herd Health Profit $
Beginning in April 2025, the CDCB and Holstein Association USA will use an updated genetic base for calibrating published PTA values. The 2025 base change is bigger than previous adjustments, but this is good news! It means that our cows are improving faster than ever. The amount of base change is a direct result of the genetic progress made by the industry in the previous five years. Table 1 shows the projected base change adjustment for each breed.
The base change adjustment provides a good opportunity for dairy producers to assess their genetic improvement strategy. With accelerating genetic trends, an effective selection strategy is more important than ever. Use of a selection index like Herd Health Profit Dollars® (HHP$®) is the most effective approach to improve several traits at the same time. The adjustments coming in April will mean you will likely need to recalibrate the selection levels used for A.I. sires and which cows are bred to beef or sexed semen.
Genetic progress within herds continues to accelerate due to genomic evaluations and advanced reproductive technologies such as sexed semen, embryo transfer and in-vitro fertilization. This makes the upcoming base change a little more disruptive than previous adjustments. Selection standards will need to be adjusted following the April 2025 evaluations. It’s a good opportunity to evaluate genetic management strategies to assure your future cows will be profitable producers.
For more information about the base change and how it will influence World Wide Sires’ genetics, check out our social media pages closer to the April sire summaries.