Cow Recognition Programs

The cow recognition of Certified and Elite cows is automatically updated upon receipt of the genetic evaluations from USDA in April, August and December each year. The most recent genetic evaluation and the current classification of the cow at that time will determine eligibility for recognition.

Cows reclassified between updates to a level making them eligible for Certified or Elite will be considered for recognition at the next regular run. There will be no manual updates between the regular quarterly runs. Herd reports are available for BSA/PTPR herds on the online database system under Reports-Cow Evaluation.

Certified Cow

• Must have completed one lactation record on DHIR.
• Must exceed her management group by 110% for milk and either fat or protein.
• Must have a classification Final Rating of Good Plus 83 or above.
• Cows meeting these requirements will automatically receive the "Certified" designation. In addition, the owner may submit the Certificate of Registry to the Association to have the "Certified" seal affixed.
• Once recognized, the "Certified" designation is permanent.

Elite Cow

• Must currently be on DHIR or previously on DHIR at the completion of her records.
• Must have a minimum of three (3) lactations which exceed her management group for milk and either fat or protein by 120%.
• Must have a Very Good 87 or above Final Score with VG mammary system.
• Cows meeting these requirements will automatically receive the "Elite" designation. In addition, the owner may submit the Certificate of Registry to the Association to have the "Elite" seal affixed.
• Once recognized, the "Elite" designation is permanent.

Superior Brood Cow

• A companion program to recognize a cow as a transmitter of production and type through the genetic capabilities of her offspring, male and/or female.

A NOMINATION FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATON indicating qualifying progeny which meet one of the following requirements:

• Combination of two (2) "Elite" daughters or "Superior" sons; or
• Combination of three (3) "Certified" or "Elite" daughters or "Qualified" or "Superior" sons.
• Sire Designation - obtained from the latest Brown Swiss Performance Summary.
• A daughter with a lifetime record of at least 100,000 lbs. milk or 3,500 lbs. protein on DHIR or DHIA can replace a "Certified" cow.
• A daughter with a lifetime record of at least 200,000 lbs. milk or 7,000 lbs. protein on DHIR or DHIA can replace an "Elite" cow.
• If the cow was not tested on DHIR for her entire life, her official DHI lifetime production sheet must accompany the application.

To obtain a list of Certified and Elite Cows for your herd, go to the Brown Swiss Database.

Select:

1. Reports
2. Cow Evaluation
3. Enter your herd code
4. Click submit.
5. This will generate a list of all your cows that have calved in the past two years and their Certified or Elite status.
6. Click on Run Report
7. On the database, you may also run a Progeny Report to get a list of a specific cow’s offspring.