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12 Jun 2025 - May Proofs 2025

Improved breeding values for production

Starting from May 2025, Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation are introducing a new and improved way of calculating breeding values for Production traits. 

These updated breeding values are now based on the Single Step method, which means more accurate and reliable figures when selecting bulls and females for your herd. 

This is a major development for dairy farmers – because yield is one of the most important traits driving profitability. 

What’s new?

The biggest change is the switch from the old "two step" calculation to a more modern and precise Single Step method. In the past, genetic values were calculated in two steps – first calculating traditional breeding values, and then adding genomic information. Now, everything is combined in one.

Here’s what it means for you and your cows.

  • Single Step uses pedigree, phenotypes and genomic data all at the same time.
  • This gives a more accurate picture of each animal’s genetic potential – especially for young animals that don’t yet have milking daughters.
  • You can now select bulls and females with greater confidence, knowing the breeding values are more reliable than ever.
Cows milking

Why it matters for your herd

The genetic trends for the Milk kg, Protein kg, Fat kg, and Production index for VikingHolstein, VikingRed, and VikingJersey become steeper with the new model compared to the old one. This means that breeding values for older animals decrease compared to younger animals.

Overall changes in GEBVs are moderate, although for individual animals the changes in index values can be large.

The Production index – which includes milk, fat, and protein production – is the most heavily weighted in the Nordic Total Merit index (NTM). That means changes in yield values have a big impact on the overall NTM.

For genomic tested animals, the weight of yield in the NTM is:

  • 1.02 for Red Dairy Cattle (RDC)
  • 0.90 for Holstein
  • 0.83 for Jersey

Improvements in yield traits directly influence the genetic progress of your herd. When you choose animals with a higher Production index, you’re also lifting your herd’s total merit – which leads to better-performing, more profitable cows.

VikingRed cow

How different animals are affected

For daughter-proven sires, the new method has very little effect on their breeding values.  There is very little re-ranking for proven bulls within birth years.

  • The correlation between the old and new indexes for proven bulls is very high.
  • This means bulls you’ve trusted in the past will remain strong choices today.

For young genomic bulls, who don’t yet have milking daughters, the updated method brings more noticeable shifts – and often for the better.

  • In VikingHolsteins, values for milk and protein production tend to increase, while fat production and the overall Production index may decrease slightly (the average change for the Production index is 1–2 index units)
  • In VikingReds and VikingJerseys, the changes are positive across all traits (the average change for the Production index is 2 index units)

This gives you more accurate data earlier, helping you make smarter breeding decisions even before daughters start producing.

For your genomic-tested heifers and cows, the changes are generally small, but positive for all breeds (the average change for the Production index is 1–2 index units)

  • Most females see a modest increase in their Production index
  • The youngest animals (born in 2023–2024) might see slightly more variation and re-ranking, but the differences are still minor

This means you can continue to rely on your top genomic females to breed replacement animals for your herd.

Learn more about NTM
Cows on pasture

Why the Single Step method is a big deal

This isn’t just a change behind the scenes – it’s a major leap in how breeding values are calculated, and it has real-world benefits for you as a dairy farmer.

Traditionally, breeding values were calculated using a two step process: first, pedigree and performance data were used to estimate breeding values, and then this was combined with genomic data in a separate step. 

Genetic evaluation is constantly improving due to more knowledge and more computer capacity. However, larger computer capacity has made it possible to use the Single Step method.

The Single Step method merges everything – pedigree, phenotypes and genomic information – into one, seamless calculation.

Here’s why it matters:

  • You get higher accuracy, especially for young bulls and heifers without production data.
  • All available information is used at every stage of the animal’s life – nothing is dropped, even when a bull gains more daughter data.
  • It removes biases that could distort rankings as genomic selection becomes more widespread.
  • It gives a clearer picture of the true genetic merit of each animal, so you can select with greater precision.

In simple terms: you're working with the most complete and up-to-date genetic information available, and that helps you build a herd that performs better – now and into the future.

VikingJersey cow

Make breeding decisions with more confidence

With this update, the tools you use to breed your herd just got an upgrade. Whether you're selecting your next team of bulls, flushing top heifers, or deciding which cows to breed replacements from, the new system gives you more confidence in every choice.

Here’s how it helps your operation:

  • More productive animals are selected based on more reliable breeding values
  • Breeding decisions are made with more confidence
  • Your herd’s performance is boosted 

This means your investment in genetics goes further – leading to cows that produce more, last longer, and fit better in your system.

Find the best bulls to boost profitability
Cows on pasture

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