Dairy Terminology
Select a Dairy Term for a Definition |
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NM$ (Net Merit)
Expected lifetime profit as compared to a breed base and is calculated by using yield traits, health traits, longevity and calving ease. Net Merit Dollars is best used for producers expecting protein premium differentials five years in the future of between 12¢ and 23¢ per 0.1% protein.
CM$ (Cheese Merit)
Similar to Net Merit, with a difference in the value placed on many of the traits. More emphasis is on protein yield with a negative value on milk yield. Cheese Merit Dollars is best for producers expecting protein premium differentials five years in the future of more than 23¢ per 0.1% protein.
FM$ (Fluid Merit)
Similar to Net Merit, with a difference in the value placed on many of the traits. More emphasis is on milk yield and fat yield with a slight emphasis on protein yield. Fluid Merit is beset for producers expecting protein premium differentials five years in the future of between 0¢ and 12.4¢ per 0.1%
PL (Productive Life)
A genetic ranking of a bull's daughter's total months in milk until she leaves the herd or 7 lactations whichever comes first. Credits are based upon standard lactation curves, with highest credits at the peak of lactation and diminishing credits across the lactation. Credit is now given for days beyond 305 days in a lactation. The standard is set such that a second lactation cow with 305 days in milk gets 10 months credit. First lactation gets less credit than later lactations. Sire PL values range from about -7.0 to 7.0 months. The heritability of PL is 8.5%.
DPR (Daughter Pregnancy Rate)
The percentage of non-pregnant cows that become pregnant during each 21-day period. A DPR of 1.0 implies that daughters are 1% more likely to become pregnant during a given 21 day estrus cycle than daughters of a bull with an evaluation of zero. An increase of 1.0 in PTA DPR equals a decrease of 4 days in PTA days open. Genetic base is all cows born in 2005.
SCS (Somatic Cell Score)
A genetic measure of a bull's daughter's average SCS across her lactation. Genetic base is 3.00 for all breeds. Bull PTAs for SCS range from about 2.50 to 3.50. It is important to know that LOWER numbers are more favorable. The heritability of SCS is 12%.
SSCE (Service Sire Calving Ease)
An estimation of the percent of difficult births for first-calf heifers. Calving Ease values are the average effect of male and female calves and average effect across season of calving. Genetic Base is all sires born in 2005, they average 7.80% for Holstein and 5.16% for Brown Swiss.
DCE (Daughter Calving Ease)
Measures the influence of the sire of the cow on calving ease. This evaluation represents a combination of the cow's ability to calve easily and the cow's propensity to have large calves. Genetic Base is all sires born in 2000, they average 9.37% for Holstein and 5.71% for Brown Swiss.
SSB (Sire Stillbirth)
Evaluations are expressed as percent stillbirth in Holsteins, where stillbirth is defined as a calf born dead or dies within 48 hours of birth. The genetic base averages 8.73% sire stillbirth for dams of all ages.
DSB (Daughter Stillbirth)
Measure the influence of the sire of the cow having the calf (daughter) on the livability of the calf being born. The genetic base averages 8.58% daughter stillbirth for dams of all ages.
IB (Expected Inbreeding of Future Progeny)
One half the average relationship of an animal to a sample of 600 cows born 3 years ago. This value is an indication of the amount that progeny of an animal will contribute to inbreeding in the population if mated at random. Higher numbers indicate more relationships-higher inbreeding. Lower numbers indicate less relationships-more outcross. The average range for Holstein is 3 - 7; Jersey, 6-9.
TPI (Total Performance Index)
The Holstein Association's method of ranking bulls on overall performance. Includes protein, fat, PTAT, dairy form, UDC, FLC, PL, SCS, DPR, DCE and DSB in the ratio of 26:16:10:-1:10:5:10:-5:10:-2:-1.
JPI™ (Jersey Performance Index)
The American Jersey Cattle Association's method of ranking bulls on overall performance. Includes protein, fat, functional trait index, PL, DPR, functional udder index, and SCS, in the ration of 40:20:15:12:7:3:3.
PPR (Progressive Performance Ranking)
This is the Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn breed's method of ranking bulls on overall performance. Includes protein, fat, SCS, PL, UDC, FLC and DPR in the ratio of 44:18:-8:12:10:4:4.
PTI (Production-Type Index)
Each breed association's method of ranking bulls on overall performance.
| Breed | Traits Included | Ratio |
| Ayrshire | Net Merit, PTAT | 4:1 |
| Guernsey | Protein, Fat, PTAT, UDC, FLC, PL, DPR, SCS, PTA Strength | 25:25:10:10:10:10:3:-4:3 |
UDC (Udder Composite)
An index that combines linear traits relating tot he udder into one number. Traits used for Brown Swiss and Guernsey are UD, FU, FTP, RUH, RUW and UC. Holstein UDC adds rear teat placement but does not include teat length.
FLC (Foot and Leg Composite)
An index that combines linear traits relating to feet and legs into one number. Traits used are FLS, FA, RLRV and RLS for Holstein. Brown Swiss uses FA and RLRV. Guernsey uses RLRV, FA and RLSV.
JUI (Jersey Udder Index)
An index that combines linear traits relating to the udder into one number. Traits used by Jersey are FU, RUH, RUW, UD, UC, TP and TL.
REL. (Reliability)
A measure of the confidence in the PTA values. Reliability is calculated by the amount of information used in the evaluation. Information from the animal, parents and progeny are considered. Lower reliability means the PTA is more likely to change when a significant amount of information is added to the evaluation.
HOLSTEIN MILKOUT AND DISPOSITION
The same daughters and herdmates selected by Holstein USA for type data are used to evaluate these two traits. Dairy producers score cows on a scale from 5 to 1, 5 being fast milkout and quiet disposition. >Avg. means more quiet than average for disposition or faster than average for milkout. <Avg. means more alert than average for disposition or slower than average for milkout. Genetic rankings are calculated by Accelerated Genetics.
BROWN SWISS MILKING SPEED
Data is from an owner assigned scale of 1-8 (slow-fast.) The Brown Swiss Breeders Association has requested that the milking speed evaluation be reported with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 5. Scores above 100 indicate a faster milking speed.
ITALIAN MILKING SPEED
Mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 4. Scores above 100 indicate a faster milking speed.
B/R (Black/Red Gene in Holstein)
Bulls that have one Black/Red gene and one true Red gene are born red and turn mostly black at a young age, usually with red stripe down the back and red in the ears. On occasion, a black-red will remain mostly red. Black-red is dominant to red. A bull that has one Black/Red gene and one Black gene will be labeled *BR. A bull that has one Black-Red gene and one true Red gene will be labeled *BR*RC.
CVM (Complex Vertebral Malformation)
A simple genetic recessive defect that is suspected to cause embryonic deaths, abortions and stillbirths, some with visible deformities. This condition is not new. It has been in the Holstein breed for over 40 years. What is new is the DNA test to detect carrier individuals. CVM, like BLAD and other genetic recessives, can be controlled by not mating carrier animals to other carrier animals. A *CV status indicates the bull is a carrier, *TV denotes non-carrier.
