The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) board approved an update to the Net Merit (NM) selection indexes effective for the next triannual evaluations on Aug. 10, 2021.

In this decision, the CDCB board considered input from several organizations and committees, including a joint meeting of the Genetic Evaluation Methods (GEM) committee and Producer Advisory Committee (PAC) with the CDCB board.

The NM formula update will include the Feed Saved and Heifer Livability traits launched in December 2021, along with updated economic values. The goal is to use the most current research so that CDCB indices are a premier predictor of dairy animal profit potential on modern dairy farms.

This 2021 NM update will certainly be a significant advancement in dairy cattle breeding. CDCB will execute a comprehensive communication plan with information materials and sources for dairy producers, as well as the organizations and representatives that serve producers worldwide.

—From the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) Connection – Special Edition, April 2021.