Beef SI -35 Somatic Cell Count -0

VARIABLE MILKING SELECTION INDEX (VMSI)

Variable milking regimes are gaining popularity as an efficient way of managing seasonal conditions and resources with benefits in reduction of farm working expenses and improved animal health. Variable milking regimes covers everything from VMSI (OAD) to 16 hours and 10 in 7.

Variable milking regimes may be used exclusively as the overall farming system, or strategically for part of the herd or for shorter periods during the season.

LIC’s Variable Milking Selection Index (VMSI) has been developed to help farmers breed animals most suitable to their system.

Our goal is to support variable milking regime farmers in breeding cows that persist throughout the lactation and have longevity in the herd. The index has a strong correlation to Breeding Worth (gBW) but also combines the non-negotiable functional traits required for variable milking.

It reflects what farmers have told us is required in a desirable cow and takes into account the following traits: • Udder support • Front teat placement

• Milking speed

The index (VMSI) places less emphasis on Functional Survival and Fertility because these factors are less of an issue than in twice-a-day (TAD) herds.

What makes up LIC’s VMSI?

The graph shows the weighting of the traits within the VMSI, in addition to the existing eight traits of gBW.

Protein = 21.5%

Milkfat = 23.5%

Milk Volume = 10.5%

Liveweight = 8.5%

Fertility = 10.5% SCC = 6.5%

Milking Speed = 4.0%

Udder Support = 13.0%

Front Teats = 2.0%

How do I interpret the Variable Milking Selection Index?

The VMSI allows animals to be compared based on their suitability for variable milking regimes. The index increases based on the animal’s suitability.

Unlike gBW & PW, the VMSI does not represent an economic value of the animal’s productive performance or ability to breed profitable replacements.