Youngstock survival in Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation

Increased survival rates in dairy cattle is beneficial both from economical, animal welfare and consumer perspectives. The purpose of the joint breeding goal, Nordic Total Merit (NTM), for Holstein, Jersey and RDC in Denmark, Finland and Sweden is to give farmers the most profitable cows. Until May 2016, NTM included survival in calves during the first 24 hours after birth and cow longevity, but ignored the rearing period of youngstock. This paper describes the new breeding values for youngstock survival, based on young bulls and heifers, and the process for including it in NTM.