NTM – Nordic Total Merit
The joint nordic total merit index is known as NTM. The first joint indices were published in October, 2008.
The index weights are calculated to best fit the breeding goals for all breeds: high yielding cows with improved genetic level for functional traits. The national Nordic cattle breeding goals have been aiming at the same goal for many years, but the joint index is a valuable update and adjustment since it is based on solid theoretical calculations and expectations for the future. The improved genetic level of the cattle should result in improved economic profit for all farmers in Finland, Sweden and Denmark.
The traits and their relative index weights included in the Nordic Total Merit index for bulls and cows of red breeds and Holstein.
|
|
Bulls |
Cows | ||
|
Trait |
Red Breeds |
Holstein |
Red Breeds |
Holstein |
|
Yield index |
1.00 |
1.00 |
0.91 |
0.90 |
|
Growth |
0.00 |
0.08 |
0.00 |
0.08 |
|
Fertility |
0.28 |
0.41 |
0.28 |
0.41 |
|
Birth index |
0.15 |
0.20 |
0.15 |
0.20 |
|
Calving index |
0.13 |
0.22 |
0.13 |
0.22 |
|
Udder health |
0.35 |
0.46 |
0.35 |
0.46 |
|
Other disease |
0.13 |
0.16 |
0.13 |
0.16 |
|
Body conformation |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
0.00 |
|
Feet and legs |
0.10 |
0.20 |
0.10 |
0.20 |
|
Udder conform. |
0.35 |
0.24 |
0.40 |
0.31 |
|
Milkability |
0.07 |
0.11 |
0.07 |
0.11 |
|
Temperament |
0.03 |
0.04 |
0.03 |
0.04 |
|
Longevity |
0.09 |
0.15 |
0.09 |
0.15 |
More information on NTM is available at the NAV homepage.
