The Norwegian Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs)

Time to read: ca 2 min

The Norwegian Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) is used to identify the best Norwegian Red bulls to become elite sires for use throughout Norway.

Two Norwegian Red cows grazing.
We identify new elite sires with the Norwegian Estimated Breeding Values. Photo: Els Korsten

In the Norwegian EBVs, the Total Merit Index (TMI) will show a high score for bulls that excel in production, fertility, health, and udder conformation. It also underlines excellent results in functional traits such as calving ease, livability, and claw health.

The score also suggests excellent genetics that helps improve farmers' profitability with good health and low use of antibiotics. The medium-sized cow also offers excellent feed efficiency.

The Norwegian Red breeding goal

TMI (Total Merit Index) is used to identify the best Norwegian Red bulls to become elite sires for use throughout Norway.

14 traits and indexes are grouped into an index called TMI, with production, udder conformation and fertility indexes receiving the highest relative weights within the TMI. The relative weights in the current TMI give optimal genetic response for all important traits in the Norwegian Red breeding goal.

Trait Weight (%)
Production Index 23
Udder Conformation Index 28
Udder Health Index 8
Fertility Index 11
Beef Index 7
Claw Health Index 4
Feet and Legs Conformation Index 6
Calving Traits, Milking Speed, Other Diseases, Temperament and Liveweight (Total for all) 5
Polled and Undesirable Recessive Genes 8

Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System

The Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System is run by the national dairy co-operative owned by Norwegian dairy farmers, TINE. It is certified by ICARs Certificate of Quality (International Committee for Animal Recording).

Data is collected from almost all dairy farmers in Norway, and from a whole range of sources.

Read more about the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System here