Lifetime Profitability. One Goal. Four Paths.
No two dairies operate the same way. Your milk market, cost structure and herd genetics all shape what profitability looks like for you. That’s why the GENEX ICC™ indexes are built as four distinct options. All share the same balanced approach, just with different areas of emphasis.
New to the ICC index?
The GENEX ICC indexes are selection tools built specifically for commercial dairies. They were designed around one clear question: which genetics will create cows that make you more money – and keep doing it?
Every ICC Holstein index balances five areas that drive real-world herd profitability: production, female fertility, health, feed efficiency and longevity. The index option enable you to choose where to put more emphasis based on your milk market, herd genetic profile and herd priorities.
For the full story behind the ICC philosophy, visit the ICC index overview page. Or continue below to see how each index performs in real herds.
Proven where it matters most.
45,000 cows. Real herds. Real results.
The Holstein ICC indexes are validated using data from 45,000 genomic-tested females in progressive commercial herds tracked from birth through the end of their productive life.
To compare performance, the same 45,000 cows were ranked by each index. The top 25% for each index was then evaluated based on actual lifetime results for production, fertility, health and longevity. Because it’s the same cows, simply sorted differently, the comparisons show how each index actually performs in real herds.
The numbers in the tables below reflect what cows in commercial herds achieved over their lifetime – not what they were expected to do. That’s the difference between a promise and proof.
ICC Ultimate
Built for Balanced Genetics
Balance isn’t a compromise.
It’s a strategy.
The ICC Ultimate index is purpose-built for genetic progress across health, fertility, longevity and efficiency, while driving stronger lifetime energy-corrected milk (ECM) than other leading indexes. That balanced progress shows up in lower somatic cell counts, reduced mastitis and metritis events, fewer breedings needed per conception and more cows reaching fourth lactation on schedule.
More lifetime ECM, lower health costs, lower breeding costs and greater longevity – that’s the ICC Ultimate index strategy at work.
This index is the right option if you:
- Value balanced progress across production, health, fertility, longevity and efficiency
- Are paid on components and focused on lifetime performance
- Want cows to reach later lactations on schedule
- Prefer consistency and reliability over genetic extremes
- Are building for long-term herd profitability, not short-term sire rankings
Table 1. Lifetime value through balanced genetics
(Top quartile averages*)
With the ICC Ultimate index, you’re building a herd that performs at a higher level day in and day out. You can expect cows to produce more energy-corrected milk over their lifetime, stay healthier, breed back easier and last longer so fewer replacements are needed. And they convert feed into milk more efficiently, giving you more production for every pound of feed you put in the bunk.
Index options built for lifetime profit.
No two dairies operate exactly the same way. That’s why the ICC index options are designed to give you flexibility in aligning your genetic selection with your milk market, your herd’s genetic baseline and your priorities for the future.
HOLSTEINS
Built for balanced genetics.
Drives genetic progress across production, fertility, health, longevity and efficiency, with a focus on stronger lifetime energy-corrected milk (ECM).
Best option if you: seek balanced genetic progress across all key areas for long-term herd performance.
Built for lifetime milk production.
Emphasizes lifetime milk yield while maintaining the fertility, health and longevity needed to sustain it.
Best option if you: are paid on fluid milk and want more lifetime production.
Built with a health & fertility emphasis.
Shifts selection focus slightly toward reducing mastitis, transition challenges and other costly health events.
Best option if you: want to improve herd health, reduce problems and keep more cows in the herd.
Built for efficient and sustainable herds.
Prioritizes cows that convert feed into milk more effectively while supporting longevity and lower input use.
Best option if you: are focused on feed efficiency, cost control and long-term sustainability.