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

Type

We have found an error in the Finnish coding of hoof and foot angle – the two traits have been switched in the input file. The error has been corrected and has a negligible effect on the feet and leg index for Finnish bulls

No changes for all other traits

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 15.5.2003 to 15.5.2005.

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 test run in April 2008

Changes in NAV routine evaluations have to be included in an Interbull test run before they can be included in a routine evaluation. In April NAV sent:

· Type data for RDC, Holstein and Jersey

· Yield data including Swedish Test Day data for Holstein and RDC

· Calving data for RDC

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 3 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.

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