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Breeding Values (TOP)

For each trait that is measured on an animal, the animal model takes account of difference in age, season of calving, induction and environment by comparing animals in similar contemporary groups (like groups).

These non-genetic effects are taken account of so the actual genetic or breeding value of an animal can be calculated for each trait. In calculating breeding values all information is used from relatives (ancestry and progeny) as well as from the animal’s own records.

The base cow that the animal evaluation uses to compare all traits is the 1985 born cow. The base 1985 cow produced 160 kg Milk fat, 123 kg Protein, 3329 Litres of Milk and had a live weight of 383 kg as a two year old heifer.

The breeding values shown for all cows and sires are deviations above (+) or below (–) the base 1985 born cow. All breeds of cows can be compared on this base because no distinction is made for breed, although hybrid vigor is adjusted for.

TOP traits

Traits other than Production

New Zealand’s Traits Other than Production (TOP) evaluation system has been used since 1985.

If you would like to know more detail about TOP, there is an excellent booklet available from AmBreed which has been published by the Advisory Committee on TOP.
Sires are evaluated for Traits other than Production through daughter inspection.

Four Management traits (Farmer traits) are evaluated by farmers who participate in Sires of the Future programme from AmBreed.

n.b. The major significant variation in the above graph is for stature. All Holstein bulls are positive, with today’s average sire being approximately +0.9, Jersey bulls are all negative with today’s average being approximately -0.6.

Below are descriptions for each trait which also show if the bars should be pointing towards positive or negative on the TOP graphs.

Adaptability to Milking

^Positive

How soon the cow settles into the milking routine after calving.
Range is slowly to quickly.

Shed Temperament

^Positive

The temperament of the cow in the shed while being handled and milked.
Range is vicious to placid.

Milking Speed

^Positive

The time from cups on to the time milk flow stops. Range is slow to fast.

Overall Opinion

^Positive

The farmer’s overall acceptance of the animal as a herd member. Range is undesirable to desirable.

Twelve Conformation traits are evaluated by T.O.P. inspectors.

Stature

^Medium

Describes the height of cow at the shoulders. This trait is measured across breed, which results in all Jerseys being negative on the bar graph, Ayrshires being intermediate and Friesians being mainly positive.

Capacity

^Positive

Combination of strength and depth of chest and body as viewed from side, rear and front in relation to the physical size of the cow.

Rump Angle

^Zero

Describes the angle between the centre of the hips and the top of the pins. A low value indicates the cow has high pins and a high value indicates the cow has low pins. A value close to zero describes a flat rump which is optimal.

Rump Width

^Positive

Width of pins, hips and thurls. This trait is a good predictor of the width a cow has throughout her body.

Legs

^{Negative to Zero}

Measures the leg set while the cow is standing. A negative value indicates a Straight leg, whilst a positive value indicates a Sickled or Curved leg set. Optimal BV’s for this trait is a slight negative to zero.

Udder Support

^Positive

Combination of both depth of udder and strength of the suspensory ligament as viewed from the rear and the side. Udder Support is a very important trait in determining the number of lactations a cow’s udder will survive.

Front Udder

^Positive

Measures the attachment and length of the fore udder.

Rear Udder

^Positive

Combination of both rear udder height and width.

Front Teat Placement

^Positive

The placement of the front teats relative to the centre of the quarter. Low BV’s indicates wide front teats, whilst high BV’s indicates close front teats. Close front teats placement is important for preventing cup slip and mastitis through rubbing against the inside of the leg.

Rear Teat Placement

^{Negative to Zero}

The placement of the rear teats relative to the centre of the quarter. The optimal placement is wide (ie Negative) not close, so as to make milk cup attachment easy. There is a problem though in selecting for negative rear teat placement as more often than not these animals have poor udder support.

Udder Overall

^Positive

The inspector gives an overall score of the udder including any other udder traits not measured before. Udder Overall score can be used to simply compare the udder quality of bulls daughters.

Dairy Conformation

^Positive

An overall conformation score for all traits except udder traits. Dairy Conformation is a useful trait for simply comparing animals for dairy type.