August 2023 Evaluations: What’s New?

A handful of changes are implemented for the U.S. genetic evaluations on August 8, 2023, as announced by CDCB and USDA AGIL.
 
First publication of Constructed IDs in Bull and Cow Files 
“Constructed IDs” have been implemented since the April 2023 evaluation. However, official bull and cow files at the time did not include these IDs, as none of the animals released had pedigree enhancements linked to the procedure. In August 2023, Constructed IDs are expected to be included in both bull and cow files. Read more in Constructed IDs FAQ and article “Eliminating Pedigree Dead Ends.”
 
More records used in Gestation Length, Cow and Heifer Livability
More records will be used for Gestation Length (GL), Cow Livability (LIV), and Heifer Livability (HLV) in August 2023 compared to previous runs. Investigations into a possible modification of the cutoff date used for these three traits illustrated the necessity to correct the procedure and include four additional months of data. This change had a negligible impact on all breeds, and only a slightly higher variability in single animals was observed.
 
Exclusion of France from PTAs foreign dam exchange
CDCB regularly exchanges pedigrees and traditional PTAs of females with many countries. Some French values will no longer be available as France implemented a single-step model that eliminated the availability of traditional-only evaluations. Therefore, in the August 2023 evaluation, females that previously received direct PTA from France will receive PAs, resulting in larger variations in their evaluations and the evaluations of their progeny.
 
Revised breed edits in Interbull evaluations 
Stricter rules have been implemented to include Interbull evaluations in U.S. evaluations. The most noticeable impact of this new procedure will be on 45 genotyped animals (29 Brown Swiss and 15 Holstein); they will now receive the more reliable Interbull evaluation as originally intended.