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Brown Swiss Proof Changes
The Brown Swiss Association Board of Directors has adopted several revisions in sire evaluation procedures. At their July 2004 meeting, they adopted a revised Production Type Index (PTI) formula. In addition, at their recent January 2005 meeting, revisions in publication requirements were adopted. All these changes will be effective with the February 2005 USDA genetic evaluation run in conjunction with the base change and are given below.
PTI Formula Revision - The Brown Swiss PTI formula in place since November 2003 has been revised effective with the February 2005 genetic evaluations. The revised formula will have weights which add to 100 and, thus, will be comparable to the percentage weight for each variable. Below is a comparison of the current and revised weights.
The effective changes are as follows:
- a) A Foot & Leg Composite (FLC) will be calculated and included in the formula giving specific weight to the very important linear traits - foot angle (2/3), rear legs-side view (1/3).
- b) Inclusion of Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR).
- c) The total weight on type traits was 16% and remains at 16%. While FTI (Functional Type Index) was eliminated, Udder Composite (UDC) increased by 2, Foot & Leg Composite was (FLC) added (above in a), and PTAT decreased 1%.
- d) Slight decrease in the weight for protein, while protein still receives more than twice the weight of any other variable.
Calving Ease Evaluations
Beginning with the February 2005 USDA genetic evaluation run, Brown Swiss bulls will receive routine Calving Ease (CE) evaluations. The base for Brown Swiss for both Service Sire Calving Ease (SCE) and Daughter Calving Ease (DCE) of percent difficult births in heifers (%DBH) were set to the mean %DBH of 5.19 for all Brown Swiss calvings. The mean reliabilities are 56% for SCE and 54% for DCE. Calving Ease evaluations for all Brown Swiss bulls will be published along with their corresponding reliability values. There will be no minimum reliability requirement at this time.
Posted Feb 4th
