April 2025 genetic updates reveal game-changing tools for more brilliant herd breeding—discover how to boost profits and sustainability now.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Lactanet’s April 2025 genetic evaluations deliver seismic shifts in breeding strategy. With Holstein milk bases jumping +89kg and Pro$ now laser-focused on lifetime profitability, farmers face critical decisions: chase balanced traits (LPI) or prioritize revenue (Pro$)? The overhauled Lifetime Performance Index splits into six subindexes—including Environmental Impact—while Pro$ adopts rolling economic averages to stabilize rankings. Expect 5-year gains of +534kg milk from LPI bulls and 0.21cm teat length differences between sires. The bottom line? Your breeding choices today will define herd performance through 2030.
Key Takeaways:
- Base changes reflect rapid genetic progress: Holstein milk yield benchmarks rose +89kg—what was average in 2024 now lags.
- LPI vs. Pro$ divergence: LPI drives conformation/environmental gains; Pro$ targets milk revenue with a 95% correlation but different trait emphases.
- Predictable outcomes: Expect a +42kg fat yield in 5 years using LPI bulls—translating to ~$126 extra/cow annually at current prices.
- Sustainability meets profit: Pro$’s slight positive link to methane efficiency (+0.07) proves eco-goals needn’t sacrifice profitability.
- Interpretation tables = actionable insights: A +5 Udder Depth proof means daughters score 0.36 points higher, which is critical for parlor efficiency.
The latest genetic evaluation updates from Lactanet bring significant changes that will impact your breeding program decisions. As the genetic landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, understanding these updates is crucial for staying competitive in today’s challenging dairy environment.
Base Change Adjustments Reveal Genetic Progress
The genetic base for expressing evaluations shifts annually, and the April 2025 update showcases impressive genetic progress across breeds. Holstein breeders will notice the most substantial changes, with base adjustments of +89kg for milk, +5.7 kilograms of fat, and +4.7 kilograms of protein. These aren’t just numbers on a page – they represent the relentless genetic improvement our industry has achieved.
Jersey and Ayrshire breeds also show remarkable progress, with milk base increases of +81kg and +94kg, respectively. These adjustments mean that what was “average” last year is now below average – a stark reminder that standing still in your breeding program means falling behind!
What This Means On Your Farm
When you receive your April proofs, remember that base changes affect how animal evaluations are expressed. A bull with the same genetic merit from December to April may show slightly lower values simply because the base has increased. This doesn’t mean the bull is worse – the entire population has improved.
For Holstein breeders, the +0.66 base change for Conformation is particularly noteworthy, indicating substantial improvement in overall type. Somatic Cell Score shows significant base increases across all breeds, reflecting industry-wide progress in udder health.
The New LPI: Modernized For Today’s Dairy Industry
Lactanet has overhauled the Lifetime Performance Index (LPI), replacing mathematical formulas with visual aids that make selection decisions more intuitive. The Holstein LPI now features six subindexes:
- Production Index (PI)
- Longevity & Type Index (LTI)
- Health & Welfare Index (HWI)
- Reproduction Index (RI)
- Milkability Index (MI)
- Environmental Impact Index (EI)
Each subindex is published independently and included in the overall LPI, giving you unprecedented flexibility to fine-tune your breeding program.
Expected Genetic Responses That Matter
What’s revolutionary about the LPI update is the inclusion of expected 5-year genetic responses. When selecting for Holstein LPI, you can expect concrete genetic gains over the next five years: +534kg milk, +42kg fat, and +28kg protein. For conformation traits, expect approximately three EBV points progress for each of Conformation, Mammary System, and Feet & Legs.
These aren’t theoretical projections – they’re practical outcomes you can expect to see in your herd using LPI as your selection criterion.
Pro$: Laser-Focused on Lifetime Profitability
For farms focused primarily on milk revenue, Pro$ remains the go-to selection index. The April 2025 update introduces a rolling five-year average of economic values, reducing year-to-year fluctuations that previously caused significant shifts in animal rankings.
Pro$ calculations reflect current economic realities based on cows born from 2008-2018, depending on breed[3]. For Holsteins, the average cow over 6 years of age produced 25,590kg of milk, 1,027kg of fat, and 845kg of protein – with rearing costs averaging $4,063.
High Correlations With Production Traits
Pro$ shows robust correlations with fat and protein yield across all breeds. For Holsteins, the correlation is 0.79 for fat and 0.78 for protein, meaning selection for Pro$ will drive substantial genetic progress for these economically important traits.
Particularly intriguing is Pro$’s positive correlation with both Methane Efficiency (0.07) and Feed Efficiency (-0.05)[3], suggesting that selection for profitability can simultaneously benefit environmental sustainability.
LPI vs Pro$: Which Drives Your Breeding Goals?
While LPI and Pro$ share a 95% correlation, they emphasize different traits. Understanding these differences is crucial for aligning your genetic selection with your farm’s goals.
Selecting heavily for LPI will accelerate genetic gain for:
- Conformation traits
- Methane Efficiency
- Hoof Health
- Herd Life
Meanwhile, Pro$ selection drives faster progress for:
- Production yields
- Calving performance
- Udder health
- Feed Efficiency
Both indexes will deliver similar fat and protein composition improvements, daughter fertility, and disease resistance traits.
Practical Bull Selection Tools
The updated Sire Proof Interpretation Tables provide a concrete way to understand what bull proofs mean for your future herd. For example, a Holstein bull with a +5 proof for Udder Depth would be expected to have daughters averaging 0.36 points higher on the linear scale than daughters of a bull with zero proof.
For measurable traits like Teat Length, this translates to an actual physical difference—daughters of a bull with +5 proof for this trait would have teats 0.21cm longer than daughters of a “0” bull.
Making These Updates Work For Your Herd
As we integrate these April 2025 genetic evaluation updates into breeding decisions, consider these action steps:
- Reassess your breeding goals – Has your focus shifted more toward production, conformation, or health traits? Your answer should determine whether LPI or Pro$ better aligns with your objectives.
- Understand the correlations – Even if you don’t directly select certain traits, knowing the correlations with your chosen index helps predict your genetic progress.
- Look beyond the numbers – The 5-year expected genetic responses provide a real-world perspective on what these genetic evaluations mean for your future herd.
- Utilize the sire interpretation tables – When selecting bulls, use these tables to understand their proofs for their daughters’ actual performance in your barn.
The April 2025 genetic evaluation updates represent powerful new tools for dairy farmers committed to genetic improvement. Whether your focus is overall performance, profit, or specific trait improvement, these updated indexes and interpretation guides give you more precise selection power than ever before.
Future Outlook
With these sophisticated genetic selection tools now available, dairy producers can make more informed breeding decisions tailored to their specific goals. Including environmental traits like Methane Efficiency in both indexes reflects the industry’s growing focus on sustainability and productivity.
As genetic progress continues to accelerate, staying informed about these evaluation updates and understanding how to apply them will be increasingly crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the global dairy industry. The future belongs to those who can effectively translate these genetic evaluations into practical breeding decisions that drive their herds and bottom lines forward.
Read more:
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