Production traits (Australian Breeding Values – ABVs)
Production ABVs
ABVs are calculated for protein (kg and %), fat (kg and %) and milk production (L).
Production ABVs are expressed in units (kg, %, L ) against an average of zero, which represents the national average.
Australian Selection Index (ASI)
The ASI is a production-based index that ranks animals (bulls or females) on their ability to produce daughters with the most profitable combination of protein, fat and milk production. Traits are weighted according to the way Australian dairy farmers are paid for their milk (fat + protein – volume).
The ASI is expressed in dollars. An ASI of 200 means this animal is $200 per year more profitable from production than average.
The ASI is included in all three the indices (BPI, HWI and Sustainability Index), with the highest weighting in the Sustainability Index.
Milk
The Milk ABV estimates an animal’s ability to produce litres of milk. A Milk ABV of 500 means this animal is estimated to produce 500L more milk per year than the average.
Fat (kg and %)
The Fat kg ABV estimates an animal’s ability to produce kilograms of fat in the milk. A Fat kg ABV of 20 means this animal is estimated to produce 20kg more milk fat per year than the average.
The Fat % ABV estimates an animal’s ability to produce milk with a higher or lower % of fat. Choose animals with a positive Fat % ABV if you want to increase fat % in your herd.
Protein (kg and %)
The Protein kg ABV is an estimate of an animal’s ability to produce kilograms of protein in milk. A Protein kg ABV of 20 means this animal is estimated to produce 20kg more milk protein per year than the average.
The Protein % ABV is an estimate of an animal’s ability to produce milk with a higher or lower percentage of protein. Choose animals with a positive Protein % ABV if you want to increase protein % in your herd.
