Holstein evaluation, including data from: Danish Holstein, Danish Red Holstein, Swedish Holstein, Finnish Holstein, Finnish Ayrshire and Finn Cattle.

Red evaluation, including data from: Danish Red, Swedish Red, Finnish Ayrshire, Finnish Holstein and Finn Cattle

Jersey evaluation, including data from: Danish Jersey

Extraction dates

Dates for extraction of data from national databases are given in table 1.

Table 1 Dates for extraction of data from the national databases

News in relation to NAV genetic evaluation

No changes

Genetic base

EBVs for Bulls and females are expressed to the same cow base. At this genetic evaluation include the genetic base (average 100) cows born from 15.1.2003 to 15.1.2005.

For functional traits sire models are used and EBVs for cows are not estimated. For functional traits the genetic base includes bulls, which are sire of present cows – see table 2.

Table 2. Definition of genetic base for cows and bulls

NAV data included in Interbull routine run January 2008

· Note for all traits it is NAV EBVs from 1.12.2007 which are included in the Interbull evaluation in January 2008

· NAV fertility data for RDC is included in the Interbull routine run in January 2008.

· NAV calving trait data for Holstein is included in the Interbull routine run in January 2008.

NAV – frequency and timing of routine runs

NAV has 6 evaluations per year for all traits. The NAV evaluations are timed in a way so NAV can deliver updated EBVs to all the international evaluations. In table 2 the current and future NAV and Interbull release dates are shown.

Table 3. NAV and Interbull release dates in 2008. EBVs released at NAV dates with bold will be delivered to international genetic evaluation.

NAV workshop

8^th January 2008 NAV had a workshop discussion a Nordic Total Merit Index (TMI) and Nordic feet and legs registration. The workshop took place in Copenhagen with 54 participants representing AI-organisations, breed organisations, organisations responsible for national genetic evaluation and research institutes in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. At the workshop results from a Danish locomotion study, a Swedish study of claw trimmer data and results from the NAV TMI project were presented. The workshop forms the basis for further national discussions about a NAV TMI and joint feet and legs registration. The following time schedule has been decided for the further process:

Table 4. Time schedule for the process about Nordic Total Merit Index (TMI) and Nordic feet and legs registration

You can get more information about the joint Nordic evaluation:

General about Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation: www.nordicebv.info
Contact person: Gert Pedersen Aamand, Ph.: +45 87405288 gap@landscentret.dk,

Denmark: www.landscentret.dk/nav
Contact person: Ulrik Sander Nielsen, Danish Cattle, Ph. +45 87405289, usn@landscentret.dk

Sweden: www.svenskmjolk.se
Contact person: Jan-Åke Eriksson, Swedish Dairy Association, Ph. +46 08-790 58 67
jan-ake.eriksson@svenskmjolk.se