AHDB updates Spring Calving Index for grazing systems
AHDB has announced updates to its Spring Calving Index (£SCI), with changes aimed at further improving its suitability for seasonal, grass-based dairy systems.
Focus on traits that drive efficiency
The £SCI is designed specifically for spring block-calving herds and places strong emphasis on traits such as fertility, milk solids production, maintenance costs and udder health. The index is intended to support breeding decisions that improve overall herd efficiency and lifetime profitability.
According to AHDB, the latest update continues to prioritise traits that are most relevant to grazing systems, with a focus on cows that are capable of calving compactly, getting back in calf quickly and efficiently converting grazed grass into milk solids.
Increasing role of genomic evaluations
The update also reflects the growing role of genomic information in dairy breeding, with an increasing number of genomically evaluated sires featuring among the top-ranked animals. This provides farmers with greater confidence in selecting bulls that deliver balanced genetic gain across multiple traits.
Across-breed comparisons support flexibility
AHDB highlights that the £SCI remains an across-breed index, allowing farmers to compare animals of different breeds on a like-for-like basis. This is particularly useful for herds operating crossbreeding strategies or considering alternative genetics to improve system performance.
Relevance for Northern Ireland systems
From an SRG perspective, these updates reinforce the importance of breeding for animals that are well suited to seasonal, pasture-based systems. The continued emphasis on fertility, efficiency and milk solids aligns with wider industry goals of improving sustainability and resilience within dairy systems.
Further information
Further details on the Spring Calving Index update can be found on the AHDB website:
https://ahdb.org.uk/news/spring-calving-herds-to-have-genetic-index-update
