Publish date: 8.6.26
Dairy producers are achieving genetic progress faster than ever before. As breeding strategies evolve and new technologies become available, the tools used to evaluate cattle genetics must evolve as well. That’s exactly why the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) introduced significant formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR as part of the August 2026 Sire Summary.
These updates are designed to better reflect today’s dairy management practices, modern breeding programs, and the tremendous improvements in fertility achieved through decades of selection. The result is a more accurate picture of an animal’s genetic potential for reproductive performance, helping producers make more informed breeding decisions.
In this article, we’ll break down the formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR, explain why they were needed, and discuss how producers can use these revised evaluations to continue driving genetic progress and profitability within their herds.
Why Were the Formula Updates Needed?
Female fertility traits from CDCB have been used by dairy producers for more than 20 years. However, the dairy industry has changed dramatically during that time. Advances in estrus synchronization protocols, heat detection technology, sexed semen adoption, beef-on-dairy breeding strategies, and adjustments to voluntary waiting periods (VWP) have all influenced how fertility data is generated and interpreted.
As a result, CDCB conducted a comprehensive review of its fertility evaluations to ensure they continue to accurately measure genetic differences in today’s dairy environment.
The new formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR provide several key benefits:
- Genetic trends now align more closely with actual on-farm fertility observations.
- Young bull evaluations behave more consistently as daughter data is added.
- Proven bull evaluations remain stable over time.
- Genetic trends show less variation, providing a clearer view of long-term improvement.
- Updates were validated through Interbull, an internationally recognized independent reviewer of genetic evaluations.
Together, these improvements create a more reliable framework for measuring fertility and predicting future reproductive performance.
So, what do the formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR look like?
Keep reading as we dive into each trait—helping you understand the changes and how to use them in your breeding plan.
DPR: Predicting How Quickly Open Cows Become Pregnant
Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) predicts the percentage of non-pregnant cows expected to become pregnant during each 21-day reproductive cycle compared to the breed average. Higher DPR values indicate daughters are more likely to conceive quickly and spend fewer days open.
For example, daughters of a bull with a DPR PTA of +1 are expected to have a pregnancy rate that is 1% higher than the breed average.
DPR Goal: Reduce days open and shorten calving intervals.
Why Was DPR Updated?
Introduced in 2003, DPR has been one of the industry’s foundational fertility traits. While dairy genetics have made substantial gains in fertility over the last two decades, the original DPR model was no longer fully capturing those improvements. In many cases, genetic trends appeared to decline despite the industry making measurable progress through genetic selection. The formula updates to DPR address this issue by modernizing the evaluation model and creating a more accurate reflection of today’s reproductive management systems and fertility genetics.
Unlike a traditional base change, these revisions will not affect all animals equally. Older bulls may experience only minor adjustments, while many younger bulls are expected to receive larger increases because the updated model more accurately recognizes recent gains in fertility and genetic progress.
What Changed?
The updated DPR evaluation now uses herd-level and lactation group-specific voluntary waiting periods rather than a single fixed waiting period applied across all herds. This change better reflects modern reproductive management practices.
Average DPR values are expected to increase:
- Holstein: +1.3
- Jersey: +0.8
New breed means include:
- Holstein: +0.67
- Jersey: +0.62
While fewer bulls will receive negative DPR evaluations, producers should remember that no single trait tells the entire story. A comprehensive evaluation of a bull’s complete genetic profile remains essential.
How Should Producers Use DPR?
DPR is best used to identify genetics that support improved herd reproductive efficiency. Bulls with higher DPR values can help reduce days open, shorten calving intervals, improve lifetime productivity, and support stronger reproductive performance throughout the herd.
CCR: Measuring a Cow’s Ability to Conceive
Cow Conception Rate (CCR) predicts the likelihood that a lactating cow will conceive when inseminated. It represents the expected difference in conception rate of a sire’s daughters relative to the breed average.
A higher CCR indicates daughters are more likely to become pregnant successfully with each breeding service.
For example, daughters of a bull with a CCR PTA of +1 are expected to have conception rates that are one percentage point above the breed average.
CCR Goal: Improve conception success per service in lactating cows.
Why Was CCR Updated?
Since its introduction in 2009, dairy reproductive management has evolved significantly. Changes in breeding practices, semen use, and data collection created opportunities to improve the accuracy of the trait. The updated CCR model better separates genetic influences from management and environmental effects, allowing producers to make more confident selection decisions focused on fertility and long-term herd improvement.
What Changed?
Several enhancements were incorporated into the new CCR formula, including:
- Addition of a days-in-milk covariable to account for the stage of lactation at breeding
- Inclusion of service sire breed effects
- Consideration of mating type
- Accounting for short-cycle inseminations
New breed means include:
- Holstein: +1.65
- Jersey: +0.74
How Should Producers Use CCR?
CCR is particularly valuable for producers seeking to improve conception success with every insemination. Higher CCR values can help reduce the number of services required per pregnancy, lower breeding costs, and improve overall reproductive performance. When used alongside DPR and other fertility indicators, CCR provides a clearer understanding of how genetics influence conception success.
HCR: Evaluating Heifer Conception Success
Heifer Conception Rate (HCR) predicts the expected difference in conception rate of a bull’s daughters as maiden heifers compared to the breed average. Higher HCR values indicate better genetic potential for successful conception during the heifer stage.
For example, a bull with an HCR PTA of +1 is expected to sire daughters whose conception rate is one percentage point above the breed average.
HCR Goal: Improve conception success per service in heifers.
Why Was HCR Updated?
Like CCR, HCR was introduced in 2009. Since then, breeding strategies and reproductive data collection have evolved considerably. The latest formula update to HCR was developed to better represent biological fertility and more accurately account for factors that influence conception success in today’s dairy operations.
What Changed?
The updated HCR evaluation now includes:
- Service sire breed
- Mating type, including product type and breeding method
- Short-cycle inseminations occurring 10 to 17 days after a previous service
New breed means include:
- Holstein: +0.77
- Jersey: +0.32
How Should Producers Use HCR?
HCR helps identify genetics that support strong conception success in maiden heifers. Higher values can contribute to improved pregnancy rates, fewer services per conception, timely age at first calving, and greater overall reproductive efficiency. When combined with DPR and CCR, HCR provides a more complete assessment of fertility potential within a breeding program.
What Do These Updates Mean for Dairy Producers?
The formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR represent a significant step forward in how dairy fertility genetics are evaluated. By incorporating modern management practices, updated data sources, and current industry realities, these evaluations provide producers with a clearer and more accurate measure of genetic merit and fertility.
More importantly, the formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR allow fertility evaluations to better reflect the tremendous genetic progress achieved across the dairy industry. Producers can use these revised tools to identify animals most capable of improving fertility, supporting stronger reproductive performance, and helping achieve long-term herd goals.
As dairy producers continue to pursue greater efficiency and profitability, understanding and applying the formula updates to DPR, CCR, and HCR will be critical for making informed breeding decisions that drive sustainable genetic progress.
Updated Evaluation. Better Insights. More Accurate Performance.
The updates coming out of these genetic evaluations bring fertility evaluations in line with today’s genetics, reproductive technologies, and management practices. Used together within a customized breeding strategy, DPR, CCR, and HCR provide a more complete understanding of herd fertility and future performance potential.
Looking for sires that excel for DPR, CCR, and HCR? Contact your ABS Representative or complete the form below to learn more about ABS sire that excel for and can help improve fertility and reproductive performance.