The latest Genetic Trends in EBI

The rate of genetic gain in EBI has accelerated rapidly over the last number of years, propelled mainly by two important initiatives, the launch of the Dairy Gene Ireland breeding programme in 2005 and the introduction of genomic selection in 2009. The current annual trend in the EBI is now at €12.2/year, based on 1st parity females over the last 5 years. The nationwide increase in genetic gain has obvious benefits, most notably the increased profit per lactation. The expected EBI of 1st parity females in 2030 is expected to be €288, based on the current rate of genetic gain.

The average EBI and the sub-indexes of heifers entering the Irish dairy herd is presented in graph 1 below. The graph illustrates the rate of genetic gain that has been achieved nationally over the last 20 years. The average EBI of first calving heifers in 2022 is €214 greater than first calving heifers 20 years ago. This equates to an extra €428 per lactation for heifers calved this year, compared to the heifers of 2002.

Graph 1.  The genetic trend for EBI, milk and fertility sub-indexes by year of first calving females (2002-2022).

 

Dairy EBI Trends (2000-2022)
Year Avg EBI Avg Milk SI Avg Fert SI Avg Calv SI Avg Beef SI Avg Health SI Avg Main SI Avg Mgt SI
2000 -21 -15 3 -4 -6 -8 14 -2
2001 -20 -11 0 -5 -6 -7 14 -2
2002 -24 -11 -4 -5 -6 -7 14 -2
2003 -20 -11 -1 -5 -6 -6 14 -2
2004 -19 -8 -3 -4 -6 -6 14 -2
2005 -8 -4 0 -2 -7 -4 14 -2
2006 3 -2 3 0 -7 -3 14 -1
2007 11 2 5 2 -7 -3 14 -1
2008 15 4 4 3 -7 -2 14 -1
2009 29 8 12 5 -9 -1 15 0
2010 41 11 16 7 -9 0 15 0
2011 56 17 21 10 -10 1 15 1
2012 66 20 25 13 -10 1 14 1
2013 84 25 34 15 -11 2 15 1
2014 94 29 38 17 -11 3 15 1
2015 103 34 40 18 -11 3 15 1
2016 115 37 47 20 -12 4 15 2
2017 129 42 52 23 -12 4 15 1
2018 137 45 56 25 -12 4 14 2
2019 146 51 59 26 -12 4 14 2
2020 156 56 62 30 -12 3 13 2
2021 173 63 70 32 -13 4 13 2
2022 190 69 78 35 -13 5 13 2

 

Table 1. Dairy EBI Trends (whole dairy population) 2000-2022