With the Animal Model, evaluations of both bulls and cows include pedigree information from sire and dam. With the MCC, bull evaluations included pedigree information from the sire and maternal grandsire. There has been concern that some bulls have had an unfair advantage by being mated to the best cows. The Animal Model adjusts for the merit of mates. The Animal Model uses the first five lactations of each cow, Including lactations beyond the fifth may reduce accuracy of genetic evaluation because contemporary herdmates are few and highly selected.
Adjustment is made for genetic merit of an animal's mates.
Cows are compared more precisely with herdmates under similar management conditions. The University of Minnesota including the Minnesota Extension Service, is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to rice, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.