After a great deal of consultation with industry partners, the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) will be launching a second national genetic selection index in August 2015. This new profit-based index has been appropriately named Pro$ (pronounced Pro Dollars). The underlying data for the Pro$ formula utilizes milk-recordings to generate its cow profitability calculations, and the alternative genetic rating system that this data generates is very applicable and understandable, as it’s presented in concrete dollar terms.

Along the way, and even now, there has been much debate about whether we need another index – what about the iconic Canadian LPI (Lifetime Profit Index) formula? Truthfully, the LPI formula and its way of ranking sires doesn’t satisfy many who value an increased focus on Health and Management traits, or does it completely satisfy the more traditional Type-focused breeders. With that in mind, a re-balanced and re-named LPI (Lifetime Performance Index), with a 40:40:20 split on Production, Durability and Health, seems to provide a sufficient counterpoint to Pro$, allowing most producers to align themselves with one index or the other.

Initially, it’s anticipated that many producers will still rely heavily on LPI rankings, with secondary concern being put towards finding sires that perform well on Pro$. However, soon enough we may see some producers doing the process in reverse, or even feeling comfortable using Pro$ as their only index.

 

Some people have offered the opinion that with the American TPI and NM$ indexes also used in sorting through the bull lists, retrofitting LPI and creating the Pro$ formula was really not necessary. However, the fact is that there’s considerable brand equity attached to the LPI formula, so it’s worth preserving and keeping relevant. Similarly Pro$, which is based on Canadian production costing and pricing, is very relevant – certainly more relevant than NM$ is to a Canadian producer.

Being a farmer-owned, Western-Canadian based company, WestGen has never been ashamed to declare its bias towards Canadian products in the hands of Canadian consumers. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that WestGen will support Pro$- not only is it Canadian, but even the data behind its creation is Canadian! Similarly, we will continue to promote LPI too as the selection tool to produce the kind of cows Canada has always been know for.

In recent years, our existing LPI formula has tried in vain to please all producers at once. Unfortunately, the harder it tried, the fewer people it seemed to satisfy. Instead, those who desired more Type turned to TPI, while those who sought more Health and Production leaned towards NM$. However, in August 2015, a revised LPI and the new Pro$ formula will allow all producers to once again find their home in Canadian numbers. We encourage you to engage, ask questions, and celebrate what makes us different!