--- title: The New 2025 NM$ Index - Alta Genetics description: "Two big changes happened in the US dairy genetics industry with April 2025 proofs: a base change and an update to the NM$ index formula. Here, we break down the details of the NM$ update, including the new calculation and what that means for your operation. What does the new NM$ index look like? Below […]" image: https://us.altagenetics.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PW060623-160-scaled-1.jpg --- - [Dairy Bull Search](https://bullsearch.altagenetics.com/us) - [Beef Bull Search](https://altabeef.com/search/breed) - [Choose Country](https://map.altagenetics.com/) [![Alta-Blue-RGB](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alta_Genetics_June2025/Logo/Alta-Blue-RGB.png?width=144&height=33&name=Alta-Blue-RGB.png "Alta-Blue-RGB")](https://us.altagenetics.com/) - [Dairy Genetics ](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy) - [Beef x Dairy ](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef-dairy) - [Beef Genetics ](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef) - [Products ](https://us.altagenetics.com/products) - Education - [About ](https://us.altagenetics.com/about) - [Contact Us ](https://us.altagenetics.com/contact) [Contact Us](https://us.altagenetics.com/contact) - [Dairy Genetics ](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy) - [Beef x Dairy ](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef-dairy) - [Beef Genetics ](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef) - [Products ](https://us.altagenetics.com/products) - Education - [About ](https://us.altagenetics.com/about) - [Contact Us ](https://us.altagenetics.com/contact) - [Dairy Bull Search](https://bullsearch.altagenetics.com/us) - [Beef Bull Search](https://altabeef.com/search/breed) - [Choose Country](https://map.altagenetics.com/) [chevron-left image/svg+xml chevron-left Back to Knowledge Library](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge) March 25, 2025 # The New 2025 NM$ Index ![The New 2025 NM$ Index](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PW060623-160-scaled-1.jpg?width=800&name=PW060623-160-scaled-1.jpg) Two big changes happened in the US dairy genetics industry with April 2025 proofs: a [base change](https://us.altagenetics.com/preparing-for-the-2025-genetic-base-change/) and an update to the NM$ index formula. Here, we break down the details of the NM$ update, including the new calculation and what that means for your operation. ### What does the new NM$ index look like? Below you will see the category breakdowns and specific trait weights for NM$ 2025. ![](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2025-NM-Formula-1.png?width=750&height=390&name=2025-NM-Formula-1.png) ### How does the new NM$ 2025 compare to the previous NM$? The last update to the NM$ formula took place in 2021. The graphic below shows the comparison between NM$ 2025 on the left and NM$ 2021 on the right. You’ll notice that the category weights on Production, Health & Efficiency, and Conformation are not significantly different between the two versions of NM$. However, the individual trait weights within each category have shifted. ![](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2025-vs_-2021-NM-Formula-1024x575-1.png?width=800&height=449&name=2025-vs_-2021-NM-Formula-1024x575-1.png) ### What are the most significant changes in the new NM$? Within the NM$ formula, the following changes are most notable, and important to be aware of: - **Production Traits** - Emphasis on protein decreases by 6.6%. - Emphasis on milk and fat increase by 3% for each of these two traits. - **Health & Efficiency** - Weight on Feed Saved, which is a combination of Residual Feed Intake & Body Weight Composite, increases by 3.6%. - Emphasis on Productive Life (PL) decreases by 3%. - Weight on Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) goes down by 2.0%. - **Conformation** - Index weight on Udder Composite drops by 2.0%. ### What does this mean for your farm? If NM$ is the genetic index you use to choose your sires or rank your females, then this is a critical time for you to review your genetic plan. For example, if you are paid primarily for pounds of protein, then the reduced emphasis on PTA Protein within NM$ does not align as well for your future profitability potential. And a shift in emphasis from Productive Life to Cow & Heifer Livability is another opportunity for discussion on whether the NM$ index is still aligned with your goals. **Not sure how to consider these changes as it relates to your own farm’s genetic plan and strategy? If so, we invite you to connect with your trusted Alta advisor for guidance on setting a genetic plan that’s tailored to fit your farm’s goals.** ## Related Posts ![Understanding the 2025 Genetic Base Change](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PW060623-10-1024x683-1.jpg?length=350&name=PW060623-10-1024x683-1.jpg) ##### [Understanding the 2025 Genetic Base Change](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/preparing-for-the-2025-genetic-base-change) In April 2025, the US dairy genetic base was updated to reflect the amount of genetic progress made since the last base change five years ago. What is a base ch... [Read More ](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/preparing-for-the-2025-genetic-base-change) ![2025 Calving Trait Base Changes: What You Need to Know](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Calving%20Trait%20Base%20Change%202025%20-%20Blog.png?length=350&name=Calving%20Trait%20Base%20Change%202025%20-%20Blog.png) ##### [2025 Calving Trait Base Changes: What You Need to Know](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/2025-calving-trait-base-changes-what-you-need-to-know) The four calving traits calculated by CDCB went through a base change, and these updates are taking effect with August 2025 proofs. Here’s what you need to know... [Read More ](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/2025-calving-trait-base-changes-what-you-need-to-know) ![CONCEPT PLUS in the making of an Alta 4-EVENT COW](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alta%20Concept%20Plus%20-%20Blog.png?length=350&name=Alta%20Concept%20Plus%20-%20Blog.png) ##### [CONCEPT PLUS in the making of an Alta 4-EVENT COW](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/concept-plus-in-the-making-of-an-alta-4-event-cow) Remember cow 5677? At Alta, she’s what we call a 4-event cow. That means the management records on her individual cow card tell us she only experienced four eve... [Read More ](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/concept-plus-in-the-making-of-an-alta-4-event-cow) [![Alta](https://us.altagenetics.com/hubfs/Alta_Genetics_June2025/Logo/Alta-White_withMission.svg "Alta")](https://us.altagenetics.com/) ## Download the Bull Search App [![apple-button-app](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alta_Genetics_June2025/Images/apple-button-app.png?width=136&height=40&name=apple-button-app.png) ](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alta-bull-search/id1088825451) [![google-app-button](https://us.altagenetics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Alta_Genetics_June2025/Images/google-app-button.png?width=134&height=40&name=google-app-button.png) ](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.altagenetics.bullsearch&hl=en_US&pli=1) --- Search - [Dairy Genetics](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy) - [Custom Genetic Plans](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy/custom-genetic-plans) - [Sire Designations](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy/designations) - [Find an Alta Dairy Advisor](https://us.altagenetics.com/dairy/rep) - [Our Dairy Sires](https://bullsearch.altagenetics.com/us/BS/List) - [Beef Genetics](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef) - [Find an Alta Beef Advisor](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef/rep) - [Our Beef Sires](https://altabeef.com/search/breed) - [Beef x Dairy](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef-dairy) - [FeedWise ONYX Program](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef-dairy/feedwise-onyx) - [Alta BULLSEYE](https://us.altagenetics.com/beef-dairy/bullseye) - [Products](https://us.altagenetics.com/products) - [Alta COW WATCH Activity Monitoring](https://us.altagenetics.com/products/cow-watch) - [Alta FRESH START Colostrum](https://us.altagenetics.com/products/fresh-start) - [RumiLife CAL24 Calcium Boluses](https://us.altagenetics.com/products/rumilife-cal24) --- - Education - [Knowledge Library](https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge) - [On-Farm Resources](https://us.altagenetics.com/resources) - [Alta U](https://us.altagenetics.com/education/alta-u) - [Dairy Manager School](https://us.altagenetics.com/education/dairy-manager-school) - [About](https://us.altagenetics.com/about) - [TRUE BLUE People](https://us.altagenetics.com/about/people) - [Careers](https://us.altagenetics.com/about/careers) - [Internships](https://us.altagenetics.com/about/internships) ### [Contact Us](https://us.altagenetics.com/contact) - [+1-800-932-2855](tel:+1-800-932-2855) - [info@altagenetics.com](mailto:info@altagenetics.com) - N8452 Airport Rd, Watertown, WI 53094 --- Search [Privacy Policy](https://us.altagenetics.com/privacy-policy) [Terms & Conditions](https://us.altagenetics.com/terms-conditions) ©Copyright Alta Genetics Inc. All Rights Reserved - [mail ](mailto:info@altagenetics.com) - - - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Alta Genetics", "url" : "https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/author/alta-genetics" }, "dateModified" : "2025-08-26T19:35:38.807Z", "datePublished" : "2025-03-25T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "The New 2025 NM$ Index - Alta Genetics", "image" : [ "https://us.altagenetics.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/PW060623-160-scaled-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://us.altagenetics.com/knowledge/the-new-2025-nm-index-what-can-you-expect", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://us.altagenetics.com/hubfs/GENEX/GENEX%20Beef%20Distributor%20Site%20Files/GENEX_white.png" }, "name" : "URUS - NA" } } ```