With April 2020 proofs, Holstein Association USA will make updates to the Total Performance Index® (TPI®) Formula.
The Holstein Association USA, Inc. Genetic Advancement Committee met in January 2020 to review genetic progress of the breed and analyze the current and forecasted changes in milk pricing. They identified improvements for the TPI formula and brought these recommendations to the Holstein Association USA board of directors on February 12. The new TPI formula, approved by the board of directors, will be implemented with the April 2020 genetic evaluations.
Key points are:
- Modify the weightings of PTA Fat and PTA Protein
PTA Fat and PTA Protein will now receive equal weighting of 19 percent.
- Feed Efficiency formula is being updated
Using the most recent economic assumptions for Cheese Merit $, based on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) research. - Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) Health traits are now included
Health traits, developed by the CDCB, will be added: Milk Fever, Displaced Abomasum, Ketosis, Mastitis, Metritis and Retained Placenta. All traits are then combined into a Health Trait Index for an overall economic value. 
Feet & Legs Composite (FLC)
FLC formula is being modified to include Rear Legs — Side View as a two-way trait, having an intermediate optimum.- Fertility Index will now include a new trait — Early First Calving
Total weighting on all fertility traits remains unchanged at 13 percent of the TPI. - The weighting for Productive Life will increase by 1 percent.
The 1 percent was taken from Dairy Form. - Update standard deviations for existing traits
Standard deviations are periodically updated to reflect changes made to genetic evaluations by Holstein Association USA and the Council on Dairy Breeding.
The new April 2020 TPI® formula:
Utilizing quality genetics is one of the best ways to lower cost of production and achieve profitability, and the new April 2020 TPI formula will help meet that goal. Based upon USDA economic values, an average daughter of a Top 100 TPI bull will generate $486 more net profit over her lifetime versus a typical daughter from an average available A.I. bull. The accompanying graph illustrates the sources of additional income. Higher production, good conformation and longer herd life, coupled with improved health, fertility and better calving are all built into the new and improved TPI formula.
For more information on the genetic evaluations, visit www.holsteinusa.com.
