2025 National Breeding Objective review for Australian dairy cattle
Abstract
DataGene reviews the Australian National Breeding Objective (NBO) for dairy cattle approximately every 5 years to ensure national genetic selection remains aligned with farmer priorities, economic signals and industry needs. The 2025 review combined stakeholder consultation, economic and genetic review, and scenario testing of national selection indices. Stakeholder consultation included an online survey of 217 dairy farmers and 38 herd improvement (HI) industry personnel, 20 qualitative in-depth interviews with dairy farmers, and discussion of findings at 28 stakeholder events involving 138 participants. The Balanced Performance Index (BPI) remained the most widely used and influential index across regions, breeds and production systems. Consultation supported retaining a simple national index framework while recognising demand for a seasonal pasture-based focus additional emphasis on calving traits in the Health Weighted Index (HWI). Economic updates used forecast milk and feed pricing, including a revised farmgate protein-to-butterfat price ratio that increased the relative value of fat. Genetic parameters were updated, and more than 30 index scenarios were tested using BPI24 as a baseline and August 2024 public-release Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) for Holstein, Jersey and Red breed bulls. Updated BPI, HWI and Sustainability Index (SI) options were recommended and implemented in December 2025. Correlations between 2024 and 2025 BPI values were high across breeds (0.980 to 0.982), although some reranking occurred due mainly to the revised fat and protein emphasis. The updated BPI was predicted to deliver faster genetic gain in fat and slower gain in protein than BPI24, while retaining balanced improvement in profitability, health and fertility traits. HWI25 increased expected responses for survival and fertility and incorporated calving ease and gestation length. SI25 maintained stronger emphasis on production traits to reduce emissions intensity through improved productivity.
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