FERTILITY INDEX

Although levels of herd fertility are more dependent on management than breeding, a variety of measurable traits have been combined into a UK fertility index (FI) for use in selecting bulls, as part of a determined effort to improve fertility in the UK.

The fertility index to select for female fertility was first introduced in May 2005. This index provides a guide to the fertility of the daughters of a bulls in UK herds. Six traits, which are either direct measures of fertility or have strong correlations with fertility, are collected on a bull’s progeny in UK dairy herds and make up the Fertility Index.

To view the Fertility factsheet click HERE

Published by AHDB Dairy