Selection goals

The Unique Synthesis Index (ISU), the steering tool of the Montbeliarde selection

One of the Association’s assignments is to define the selection objectives in partnership with all the breed’s  stakeholders. The wide range of the selected traits implies their ranking into a unique synthesis index, the ISU.

 

 

Dairy synthesis	Protein + 0,1 Fat + 0,5 Fat content + 3 Protein content
Reproduction	50% cows fertility + 25 % heifers fertility + 25 % Calving-1stAI Interval
Udder health	60 % Somatic Cell Count + 40 % Clinical mastitis
Morphology	40% Udder + 30 % Body + 15 % Posture + 10 % Rump + 5 % Muscularity

 

The latest evolutions

To give advantage to strength

In 2011, the importance of chest measurement in the body index increases from 10 to 35% to the detriment of height. The body selection objective is clear: maintaining the development as harmonious as possible between height, width and depth of animals.

To push forward the functional traits

In 2012, the new ISU emphasizes the functional traits: increase of the influence of healthy udder and reproduction by raising them respectively from 12.5% to 14.5% and from 12.5% to 18 % in the ISU.

The objective consists in strengthening the natural qualities of the Montbeliarde breed.

For more details, see : The article « En faveur des fonctionnels » of the Planet’Montbéliarde n°1