IGS Transitions Mature Weight Evaluation to Full Weekly Production – Updates Processing Code

The International Genetic Solutions (IGS) mature weight evaluation has transitioned from research and development to full weekly production mode. This automated process streamlines data handling for each trait suite by aggregating pedigree, phenotype, and genomic information into the formats required by BOLT software. Custom software inspects and cleans incoming data, performs the evaluation, and handles post-processing and tabulation for distribution to partner breed associations. Throughout the pipeline, code and results undergo rigorous review.

During the recent migration to production, a coding error was identified that affected the inclusion of genomic markers in the evaluation. This issue has been corrected in the February 3, 2026, run, which is now released.

Breeders may observe some re-ranking and changes in Mature Weight (MWT), Cow Energy Requirement (CERY), and associated index values. The overall correlation between EPDs before and after the fix was 0.92 across all animals. For genotyped animals specifically, the correlation was lower at 0.69, indicating more noticeable adjustments in this group.

Validation of the updated evaluation shows an expected improvement in the predictive accuracy of the MWT EPD.

Although this timing may affect bull sale data extracts, IGS prioritizes rapid deployment of code corrections to ensure breeders have the most accurate genetic predictions for timely decision-making.