Holstein Association USA Board Approves Updates to TPI®, New Conformation Composite, and Classification Changes to Reflect Industry Trends

Holstein Association USA’s Board of Directors has approved several important changes to respond to the current needs of Registered Holstein breeders and ensure the classification program and genetic tools keep pace with current and future industry trends. These changes come from recommendations presented by the Conformation Advisory Committee and Genetic Advancement Committee during the Association’s recent Board Meeting March 26-27 in Kansas City, Missouri.

TPI® Formula Update

The weighting for PTA Protein and PTA Fat within Holstein Association USA’s Total Performance Index® (TPI®) will be adjusted to better align TPI® with current and emerging trends in milk pricing and processor needs for fat to protein ratios. This change will be implemented for the upcoming April 2026 official genetic evaluation.

Specific changes to the TPI® formula include:

This update adjusts only the relative emphasis placed on PTA Protein and PTA Fat; no other TPI® trait weightings will be affected. This update results in a very high correlation (0.9978) between the revised TPI® formula and the current version, indicating that the change represents a refinement, rather than a fundamental shift, in how animals are ranked.

More information on the TPI® formula can be found at  www.holsteinusa.com/genetic_evaluations/ss_tpi_formula.html. Additional details about the TPI formula change can be found at www.holsteinusa.com/association/committees.html#genetic_committee.

The Holstein Conformation Composite (HCC) is a new selection tool designed to help breeders identify animals with the combination of conformation traits most closely associated with balance, functionality, and long-term durability. HCC will be published as a new trait alongside PTA Type (PTAT) and the existing Udder Composite (UDC), Foot & Leg Composite (FLC), and Body Weight Composite (BWC) values. HCC values for active A.I. bulls will be released before July 1, 2026.

HCC was developed through collaboration between experienced Registered Holstein breeders and the empirical analysis of Holstein Association USA’s comprehensive database of linear conformation and production records. The HCC provides breeders an alternative to Predicted Transmitting Ability for Type (PTAT) by weighting individual conformation traits based on breed priorities, considering the relationships between traits, rather than being based on Final Score alone.

More information on HCC can be found at www.holsteinusa.com/association/committees.html#genetic_committee.

A sliding scale penalty for Stature will be implemented starting in the May 2026 classification program, with 60 inches considered the ideal height. This change defines a breed standard for ideal stature for the first time and is designed to discourage extreme stature in our breed, while continuing to reward cows that combine balance, strength, and functional correctness.

The penalty will be deducted from the Front End & Capacity major breakdown, which represents 15% of the final classification score. More information can be found at www.holsteinusa.com/association/committees.html#conformation_committee.

To be eligible for inclusion in a herd’s Breed Age Average (BAA), cows must have calved within the previous 24 months. This change is intended to ensure that BAA calculations reflect currently active, productive cows in a herd. This will be implemented for classifications starting in May 2026 and after.

For more details about any of these changes, or to learn how to become involved in a Holstein Association USA committee, visit www.holsteinusa.com/association/committees.html.