Build a more efficient, fertile, long-lasting & productive herd
In simple terms, the ICC™ index creates the cow of the future. Comprised of three sub-indexes, the ICC™ index for Holsteins empowers cows to perform through balanced selection for efficient production, sustainability and fertility.
Production Efficiency (PREF)
The PREF sub-index focuses on feed efficient production and component yields through the Fat, Protein, Feed Saved (FSAV) and Milk traits. The data below depicts the advantage ICC™ provides for production and feed efficiency.
Drive Profitability with Higher Lifetime ECM
Production efficiency is about balancing input and maximizing output. ICC™ prioritizes reaching milk peak faster and sustaining higher production across multiple lactations. In fact, it outpaces other selection indexes: High ICC™ cows produce more energy-corrected milk over their lifetime.
Chart 1 is a retrospective analysis of data from progressive USA herds, totaling nearly 30,000 genomic-tested females. The analysis compares actual production results from the top 25% of cows for each selection index. The result? ICC™ has a clear advantage when it comes to lifetime energy-corrected milk!
Improve Your Feed Efficiency
Feed is your biggest cost. Through emphasis on the Feed Saved trait, the ICC™ index selects for cows that produce more milk from less feed.
In fact, the GENEX active Holstein lineup averages +153.60 for the Feed Saved (FSAV) trait. Non-GENEX active Holstein sires average +0.71 FSAV. This means that given the same production and body size, daughters of GENEX bulls will, on average, eat 152.89 less pound of dry matter per lactation.
When applying this FSAV advantage across your herd, it can improve your margins and sustainability. Table 1 illustrates the financial impact of needing 152.98 less pounds of feed per lactation on a herd that freshens 1,000 heifers annually. If we standardize the cost of dry matter to US$0.12 per pound and apply it across 2.8 average lactations, it equates to over US$51,000 in feed cost savings. That’s the power of GENEX genetics!
Sustainability (SUST)
The SUST sub-index selects for overall health and longevity with traits that focus on milk quality, functional udders and easy cow maintenance.
Build a Healthier, Longer-Lasting Herd
Problem free and invisible are words you like to hear in reference to your herd. You want cows that stay in the herd longer, with fewer health issues. You want cows that can just focus on being a cow. That is exactly what genetic selection through the ICC™ index provides. The ICC™ index places a strong weighting on Productive Life and longevity. How much so? When comparing lifetime days in milk among different industry indexes, ICC™ outpaces the others by a noticeable margin!
Graph is based on a retrospective analysis of data from multiple progressive USA herds totaling nearly 30,000 genomic-tested females. Graph shows the average of the top quartile for each index.
Modern Udders for Modern Dairies
The Modern Udder Index (MUI) is a strategy for modern udder selection. It is used exclusively within the ICC™ index. MUI focuses on functional udder traits that impact parlor performance while advancing udder traits that contribute to lifetime production. MUI embraces two-way selection for UD, UC, FTP, RTP and TL while capping contribution from FUA, RUH and RUW. MUI also successfully separates udder traits from stature, making it unique in the industry.
Fertility (FERT)
The FERT sub-index includes cow and heifer fertility traits – Cow Conception Rate, Heifer Conception Rate and Daughter Pregnancy Rate – for driving overall reproductive efficiency.
Enhance Repro Success with Next-Level Female Fertility
Improving next-generation daughter fertility drives the future profitability of your operation. The ICC™ index places a stronger emphasis on Cow Conception Rate (CCR), a genetic trait that is being shown to move the needle for genetic impact on the next generation. Collectively, selection on the ICC™ index helps cows breed back efficiently. The result? More cows reaching more lactations —and doing it faster, with fewer services.
Graph is based on a retrospective analysis of data from multiple progressive USA herds totaling nearly 30,000 genomic-tested females. Graph shows the average of the top quartile for each index.
