Current TMI and ISET weightings
The weighting of the Total Merit Index (TMI) for Brown Swiss was adjusted as part of the latest genetic evaluation. The ISET for the Holstein, Red Holstein and Simmental breeds was also reweighted. The TMI for Original Braunvieh and the ISET for Swiss Fleckvieh remain unchanged.
David Hauri, Export Sales Manager
🔗Brown Swiss
For Brown Swiss, the production weighting within the Total Merit Index (TMI) has been increased. Production now accounts for 50% of the TMI. Particular emphasis is placed on milk yield, which has an overall weighting of 25%. The aim of this adjustment is to further improve the breed’s milk production. The additional five percentage points assigned to production have been reallocated from daughter fertility and persistency. Both traits are currently at a satisfactory level, making a reduction in their weighting appropriate. No changes have been made to the conformation. Udder remains the most heavily weighted conformation trait.
🔗Original Braunvieh
No changes have been made to the Total Merit Index (TMI) for Original Braunvieh. Based on the criteria included in the TMI, the breed is developing as intended. Functional traits remain the largest component of the TMI, with a weighting of 35%. Particular emphasis is placed on daughter fertility, lifetime production and udder health. Production traits also continue to carry substantial weight, with the main focus on milk yield and milk components. As a well-established dual-purpose breed worldwide, Original Braunvieh is also valued for its robust conformation and beef performance. Both areas therefore retain a significant weighting within the TMI.
🔗Holstein and Red Holstein
For the high-performance dairy breeds Holstein and Red Holstein, the ISET has been adjusted to reflect the current breeding goals. Production now accounts for 44% of the overall index. Particular emphasis is placed on the breeding values for protein yield (kg) and fat yield (kg). This ensures that milk components are considered alongside milk yield. Within the functional traits, the targeted progress in daughter fertility has largely been achieved. Its weighting has therefore been reduced slightly. At the same time, greater weight has been given to the “feed saved” breeding value. As this trait is directly linked to size, it is intended to help manage animal size more precisely through breeding in future. Within the conformation component, the weighting assigned to udder remains unchanged, while greater emphasis is placed on feet and legs. These adjustments are intended to further improve production while promoting a functional cow with strong conformation.
🔗Swiss Fleckvieh
No changes have been made to the ISET for Swiss Fleckvieh. For this Swiss dual-purpose breed, maintaining a balanced relationship between milk production, functional traits and beef production remains central. Beef production continues to account for 18% of the overall index. The production of milk with high fat and protein content and strong functional traits are particularly important. These traits help ensure that the Swiss Fleckvieh cow performs reliably under demanding conditions and maintains its high level of adaptability.
🔗Simmental
Within the ISET for Simmental, production now receives a slightly lower weighting, as the breed has achieved its breeding goals in this area. Within the production traits, particular emphasis is placed on the breeding values for fat yield (kg) and protein yield (kg). In return, greater weight has been given to functional traits. These include daughter fertility, longevity, somatic cell count and persistency. The adjustment is intended to achieve further genetic progress in these traits. As a popular dual-purpose breed, Simmental is also known for its meatiness and robust feet and legs. These two areas therefore retain their high weighting within the ISET.