With so many genetic indexes out there, it’s no wonder you’re asking: Which one should I trust? Which fits my herd best? These are fair questions, especially when each index comes with a promise to improve your herd in slightly different ways.
At the heart of the confusion is a simple concern: Do these numbers really reflect the traits that matter most on your farm? Fertility, mastitis resistance, feed efficiency, and longevity traits are more than buzz words, they directly impact day-to-day success and long-term profit. That’s why our team is sharing their experience with Herd Health Profit Dollars® (HHP$®), so you can better evaluate how it compares to NM$ and determine which index better aligns with your priorities.
More protection for mastitis-resistance
“Mastitis is one of the biggest reasons cows leave herds. HHP$ puts a heavy 13% weighting on mastitis resistance and somatic cell score, compared to only 3% in NM$,” shares Genetic Consultant Carla Stetzer. “This difference matters as we face increasing consumer pressure to move away from antibiotic treatments. Using HHP$ means you’re making genetics work harder to keep cows healthy, without you needing to spend hours dissecting genomic data. Our team at CentralStar does that heavy lifting for you.”
Built for moderate stature, lasting strength
“HHP$ promotes a smarter kind of efficiency through cows that are moderate in size and strong in dairy form,” says incoming Director of A.I. Services Wes Vomastic. “The index places a slight negative weight on stature to avoid extremes in size, while still selecting for width and strength through the front end. That means it builds cows with the capacity to eat and the durability to stick around. HHP$ takes a more practical approach to improving feed efficiency, without sacrificing the kind of cows that last. Rather than heavily emphasizing residual-feed intake like NM$ does, HHP$ rewards the balance that works in herds, cows that convert forage well without growing too big or too frail to do the job.”
Protein priority for a changing market
“In recent years, I’ve seen a growing desire to put more focus on protein pounds, as it seems to be the more difficult trait to move the needle on,” shares Area Sales Manager Tyler Freund. “I believe that’s a big reason a sire like (7HO16276) SHEEPSTER and his sons are so popular.
HHP$ reflects this shift. It puts more emphasis on components and places greater weight on protein, while NM$ continues to place disproportionate emphasis on fat. Recently, one of my customers who is a producer and cheesemaker, shared that reducing the extra input into making consumer dairy products with an imbalanced fat-to-protein ratio is going to be a focus of processors in the future.
We breed type traits for functionality, judges, and classifiers. We breed health traits for reduced vet and antibiotic costs. We breed production traits for the commodities we get paid for. Looking ahead, placing added intensity on the genetic ability of our herds to produce protein pounds to match the industry gains in fat and fluid milk may become a necessity to meet processor demands. HHP$ offers this advantage.”
Fertile and breed back better
“Fertility problems are a major contributor to cows leaving the herd at an early age, and longer days open. That’s why HHP$ gives more weight (12%) to daughter fertility traits (Daughter Pregnancy Rate, Heifer Conception Rate, Cow Conception Rate) than NM$ (5%),” shares Director of Consulting and Profit Strategies Cole Mark. “HHP$ zeroes in on what matters most for building a herd that breeds back reliably and efficiently. The result? More pregnancies, fewer days open, and cows that stay in the herd longer.”
The right kind of udder improvement
“When it comes to conformation, HHP$ focuses on what matters most for long-term function and udder health. Unlike NM$, which evaluates udder traits through udder composite, HHP$ puts emphasis on the individual linear traits that directly impact performance: shallower udders, strong suspensory ligaments, and correctly-centered teats for better milk letdown and easier milker attachment,” says Genetic Consultant Malissa Reed. “These specific traits help improve mastitis resistance and udder conformation, reducing costly problems and supporting lifetime productivity. HHP$ doesn’t leave udder health to general assumptions, it drives focused genetic improvement where it counts.”
A better path to lifetime profitability
“Longevity is key to profitability, and HHP$ is built to extend the lifetime of the milking herd to increase profits,” says Director of A.I. Services Jim Sipiorski. “While historically you may have found NM$ an effective index, HHP$ is a better option with its major emphasis on traits that truly impact herd life: fat and protein production, conformation, fertility, mastitis resistance, cow health, and feed efficiency. These are the genetic ingredients that keep cows healthy and milking longer. When you make HHP$ your primary sire-selection tool, it’s a direct pathway to healthier cows with more lifetime profit.”
While the CentralStar team recommends HHP$ because of its stronger emphasis on the traits that directly impact herd health and profitability, we also recognize your herd has its own goals. Whether you’re focused on NM$, TPI®, HHP$, or another index or trait, we’re here to listen, understand what matters most to you, and help you make the best genetic choices for your operation. In the end, it’s about helping you get more from your genetics and reaching your goals.