1-Young sires without compromise as Genosource Jumpstart new number one

The AHDB young sire evaluations are awaited with keen interest by progressive Holstein breeders and this month, they are rewarded with a new number one bull. Ranked on Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI), Genosource Jumpstart P takes the top position, transmitting 56.8kg (+0.28%) fat and 35.9kg (+0.12%) protein, alongside a favourable Mastitis Index of -2. This earns him a PLI of £919. Jumpstart’s sire is Genosource King P, a bull which also features strongly in the rankings in 12th position and combines outstanding production with excellent health credentials and, like his son, has the added advantage of being polled.

Climbing into second place on £917 PLI is Genosource Judo, a son of OCD Fugleman Radical. Judo is the highest milk and protein bull in the top 20, transmitting 1,288kg milk and 47.2kg protein. He also shares the highest EnviroCow score among the leading bulls at 4.9.

Ranking third, with a PLI of £907, is Peak AltaSpinwin, a newly available son of AltaMakeover. Spinwin combines strong production with favourable management characteristics, including Maintenance of -24 and a daughter Fertility Index of 6.8. At 4.9, he also shares the highest EnviroCow score in the top 20. AltaMakeover’s influence is evident throughout the rankings, with three sons featured among the top 20 bulls.

Moving into fourth place is OCD Thorson Ripcord whose PLI of £905 reflects his excellent efficiency and fitness transmission. This bull has one of the most favourable Maintenance figures in the rankings at -32 together with an impressive Fertility Index of 10.3. These August rankings highlight the growing influence of the Thorson bloodline, with descendants featuring prominently throughout this new top 20.

New entrant, Genosource Hemi, makes an immediate impact in fifth place, with a PLI of £891. Hemi combines exceptional fitness traits, including 153 days of extra lifespan and a daughter Fertility Index of 11.5, contributing to a strong index for HealthyCow of £249.

Completing the top six is Denovo Canterbury at £887 PLI. This UK-born son of Absolute transmits outstanding milk solids at 60.3kg (+0.29%) fat, while also boasting a strong EnviroCow of 4.8.

Jointly ranked seventh are Peak AltaRotation and Genosource Lingo, both on £880 PLI. Lingo stands out as one of the strongest milk quality transmitters in the ranking with +0.38% fat and +0.17% protein.

OCD Radical Josh Allen retains ninth position on £879 PLI, while rounding off the top 10 is Peak AltaFanbase. With a PLI of £871, he is also the highest-ranked bull for Feed Advantage at 298.

Other notable bulls within the top 20 include new entrant, SFH Scudetto Red (PLI £865), also the highest lifespan transmitter in the group at +192 days, and Peak AltaSovereignty. This bull is the leading fat transmitter at +63.5kg and +0.35% and earns a PLI £857.

Health-conscious breeders may also be attracted to Denovo Caterpillar, a bull combining excellent udder health traits at -29 SCC and -3 Mastitis, while ABS 18 Galactic offers a strong combination of fat production and daughter fertility. Both have a PLI of £853.

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics, AHDB says: “What stands out in this evaluation is that the top bulls no longer excel in just one area. Today’s leading sires combine strong milk solids with improvements in health, fertility, efficiency and environmental performance, giving breeders greater confidence that genetic gain can be achieved without compromise. The presence of high-ranking red and polled sires in the top 20 [see ranking] also demonstrates the continued broadening of breeding options available to UK dairy farmers.”

For the complete list of available bulls, please visit the AHDB website.

2-Former leader Sheepster returns to the fold

A former number one Holstein, OCD Trooper Sheepster, returns to the top of the Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) rankings for daughter-proven sires, published today (11 August) by AHDB. Sheepster’s PLI of £756 reflects his strong production credentials, including Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) for fat of 48.7kg and +0.19%, and a balanced package of health and fitness traits, all of which have been highly valued by dairy breeders around the globe.

Close behind in second place is the influential former front-runner, Genosource Captain (PLI £744). Now backed by 4,321 UK daughters and thousands more internationally, Captain remains one of the breed’s most reliable and efficient milk production transmitters, with 1,009kg milk and an exceptional Feed Advantage (FAdv) of 271. This means his daughters are predicted to save 271kg of dry matter intake during each lactation, compared with average FAdv daughters of comparable production.

Climbing into third place, Lars-Acres SSI GD Raiton is the highest milk production transmitter in the top 10 at 1,399kg milk. He also delivers an impressive 87.6kg combined fat and protein while at the same time, reducing cell counts (SCC -19) and improving udder health (Mastitis Index -2). These traits help earn him a PLI of £732.

Newly proven sire, OCD Fugleman Radical (PLI £715) debuts in fourth position, offering a strong balance of production, health and longevity, with daughters predicted to live 128 days longer than average.

In fifth place, Pine-Tree Denovo Avon (PLI £705) stands out for his exceptional daughter Fertility Index of 7.2, combined with excellent maintenance costs (-33), a high +0.31% fat percentage and outstanding Lameness Advantage (4.5).

Avon is closely followed by paternal half-brother, Denovo 18514 Orchard (PLI £695), highlighting the continuing influence of the Aladdin sire line.

New entrant, DG Space (PLI £692), takes seventh position. A son of Captain, he combines positive milk solids with one of the strongest health profiles in the top 10, earning him a HealthyCow (HC) score of £186. This means the better health and fertility he transmits is worth, on average, £186 for each of his daughters over their lifetimes, compared with a bull whose HC is zero.

At number eight, Winstar Graziano (PLI £686) excels for milk quality, transmitting +0.37% fat and +0.16% protein, alongside cell count improvements at -22 SCC. He also records the highest daughter Fertility Index in the top 20 at 7.7 and the equal best resistance to TB at +3.

Denovo 17121 Sargent (PLI £685) remains a proven all-rounder in ninth place, the easiest calving bull in the top 20 and with almost 1,000 UK daughters contributing to his highly reliable proof.

Rounding off the top 10 is Bomaz Heisman (PLI £681), recording the strongest Lameness Advantage (4.6) among the leading bulls.

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics at AHDB, said: “The latest rankings highlight the growing influence of the Trooper and Captain sire lines, which are making their mark among the highest-ranking daughter-proven bulls. Health, fertility and efficiency traits continue to feature strongly alongside production, demonstrating the balanced genetic progress being made within the Holstein breed. This continues to help UK producers breed cows which are profitable and sustainable for the future.”

For the complete list of available bulls, please visit the AHDB website.

3-Young movers and shakers lead the Jersey breed

 Young genomic sires are playing an increasingly important role in the UK Jersey breed. Climbing from fifth position, ABS AVJ Juiced takes the lead in the new Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) ranking, published today (11 August) by AHDB. His PLI of £455 reflects Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) of 439kg milk, 26.1kg fat and a list-leading 23.2kg protein which he combines with good daughter fertility (Fertility Index 6.5) and an EnviroCow of 2.1.

Making the biggest move is VJ Hedemos Carapaz Cincin (PLI £421), who climbs up from ninth and into second place. A well-balanced all-rounder, he offers respectable production alongside strong functional traits, including -15 SCC, a daughter Fertility Index of 7.0 and a HealthyCow of £100.

Continuing to excel in third position is former number one sire, VJ Husted Splash Sultan (PLI £418). Milk quality (+0.33% fat and a list-leading +0.22% protein) and the highest daughter Fertility Index in the rankings (7.8) are stand-out features and he also excels for health, seen in a HealthyCow of £123, -18 SCC and a Lifespan Index of +94 days.

Previously ranked third, VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander (PLI £408) slips to fourth but remains the list-leader for environmental efficiency with an EnviroCow of 2.6. Leander also delivers solid production at 39.0kg combined fat and protein.

Completing the top five is VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan (PLI £400), previously ranked second. He combines excellent udder health (-20 SCC) with a strong EnviroCow of 2.5 and impressive daughter lifespans (+88 days).

Proven Jerseys

For those who prefer higher reliability indexes, the offering of daughter-proven Jersey rankings is characterised by exceptional production and environmental efficiency. In the lead is VJ Grand Maronnier Dandi Bell (PLI £579), who climbs from ninth to take the top spot, impressively leading the breed for milk (602kg), fat (33.7kg), protein (29.7kg) and EnviroCow. Newcomer, VJ Adelgaard Domino Danka (PLI £454) makes an immediate impact in second, combining outstanding component percentages (+0.33% fat, +0.24% protein) with a balanced package of health and efficiency traits, including a HealthyCow of £124, EnviroCow of 2.0 and daughter Fertility Index of 6.6. Completing the top three is VJ Christiansborg Steno Shine (PLI £453), previously eighth, offering exceptional production (585kg milk and 54.8kg combined fat and protein) alongside an excellent EnviroCow score of 2.6.

Proven Ayrshires

Claiming the top spot in the daughter-proven Ayrshire rankings is VR Venom (PLI £530), a bull which has featured in this position before but rises from fourth position on this occasion as more daughters are added to his evaluation. He heads the breed for daughter fertility (FI 23.1) and HealthyCow (£241), while also offering excellent milk components (+0.20% fat, +0.12% protein) and an impressive EnviroCow of 2.4. His proof is now backed by 516 UK daughters, underlining the reliability of his evaluation.

Moving into second is Tontine Astorwell (PLI £510), previously third. He continues to dominate for production, leading the rankings for milk (889kg), fat (23.7kg) and protein (29.4kg), while also topping the list for environmental efficiency with an EnviroCow score of 2.8.

Rising from sixth to third is VR Viljar Vilperi (PLI £374). He combines the best cell count improvement in the rankings (SCC -25) with strong component percentages (+0.15% fat, +0.14% protein), outstanding fertility (FI 20.4) and an excellent HealthyCow of £213.

A new entry in fourth is Kamouraska Bournstar (PLI £210), making an immediate impact with exceptional production at 799kg milk and 39.1kg fat plus protein.

Completing the top five is Ardmore Crown Napier (PLI £201), climbing from ninth. He leads the breed for both Lifespan Index (+85 days) and Mastitis resistance (-3), while also offering a strong HealthyCow of £175.

Proven Friesians

Unmoveable in the top spot, Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £307), remains a proven all-round performer within the daughter-proven section of the Friesian breed, combining 25.0kg fat plus protein with excellent udder health (SCC -13), strong daughter fertility (FI 6.9), and a solid EnviroCow of 1.5.

Climbing from fourth to second is Goonhilly Isaac (PLI £278), excelling for milk quality at +0.13% fat and a breed-leading +0.12% protein. He is the joint leader for EnviroCow (1.6), also offering a respectable Lifespan Index of +43 days.

Dalino remains a dependable all-rounder and holds on to third place, his PLI of £267 reflecting 22.2kg combined fat and protein with excellent functional traits, including -13 SCC and a daughter Fertility Index of 7.0.

Rising from sixth to fourth is Inch Next (PLI £258), standing out for production, at 202kg milk, 14.3kg fat and the highest protein yield in the rankings at 12.8kg. He also shares the highest EnviroCow score in the group at 1.6.

Completing the top five is Goonhilly Cornelly (PLI £247), previously ranked second. A well-balanced sire, he combines good environmental credentials (EnviroCow 1.5) with respectable production and health traits, making him another reliable all-round option.

Young genomic Friesians

The Friesian young genomic rankings continue to be dominated by bulls with outstanding environmental credentials, with Bankhouse Edward (PLI £317) leading the way. He combines excellent production (356kg milk, 14.8kg fat, 14.9kg protein) with a joint-leading EnviroCow score of 1.7. Climbing into second is Whinnow Ambition (PLI £308), transmitting an exceptional 466kg milk alongside an impressive lifespan (+88 days), a HealthyCow of £139 and matching the top EnviroCow score of 1.7. Completing the top three is Pritch Coverman (PLI £302), who combines respectable environmental credentials (EnviroCow 1.5) with good components (+0.06% fat, +0.09% protein), excellent udder health (-6 SCC, -2 Mastitis) and a HealthyCow of £133.

Dr Daniel Pitt, animal genetics manager, AHDB, says: “These non-Holstein breeds form an important part of the UK dairy industry used either for pure- or cross-breeding. However, it’s important to note that breeds cannot be compared with one another in these breed-specific £PLI rankings. Figures are calculated in breed groups, with an average of zero, based on cows born between 2018 and 2021, for each breed. Anyone wishing to compare one breed with another is directed to either of the across-breed indexes – Spring or Autumn Calving Index – calculated for seasonal calving herds.”  

Other breeds

Other dairy breed indexes are published online (ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/dairy-breeding-and-genetics), where the Montbéliarde, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Shorthorn and Fleckvieh are all represented.

4-Autumn block calving herds poised to choose their next generation

 As autumn calving steps up a gear across many of the UK’s block calving herds, attention turns to breeding decisions to produce the next generation of dairy heifers. 

The Autumn Calving Index (£ACI), published on 11 August by AHDB, is the recommended genetic index where autumn calving is in a tight block, and is weighted in particular towards the need for good fertility and the costs of producing winter milk, amongst other traits.

The efficiency of the Holstein in these situations shines through, and the black and white sire, Winstar Graziano retains his previous lead in this across-breed ranking. Graziano increases his ACI to £594 and continues to demonstrate outstanding fat and protein production with excellent somatic cell count performance.

One of the biggest movers this time is Pine-Tree Denovo Avon, who climbs into second place with an ACI of £567. Avon delivers high milk alongside a high weight of fat, and does so while achieving very favourable maintenance costs.

Rising into third place is FB 442861 Knighton P, with an ACI of £553. This polled sire achieves his position through a combination of daughter fertility improvements and cell count reductions.

New entrant, Denovo 18452 York PP, ranks fourth, with an ACI of £537, bringing together outstanding milk components with the added attraction of homozygous polled genetics. Rounding off the top five is OCD Trooper Sheepster (ACI £534), whose daughters are predicted to deliver exceptional production.

Sixth-ranked Bomaz Heisman follows closely at £532, combining strong production and type traits, while Denovo Invictus remains among the leaders in seventh. His ACI of £531 reflects exceptional daughter fertility, longevity and all-round fitness.

At £526, the new entrant, DG Space takes eighth position, offering a balanced package of production and health. Completing the top 10 are Denovo 17121 Sargent (ACI £521) and Winstar Maserati P (£518), both transmitting favourable lifespan performance.

£SCI

For those thinking further ahead towards spring breeding, there’s a new leader for Spring Calving Index (£SCI), designed specifically for grazing based systems in tight block calving herds. The Jersey bull, VJ Grand Maronnier Dandi Bell climbs from 22nd place to claim the number one position, his SCI of £491 reflecting strong improvements in milk and solids production with excellent maintenance costs.

Rising into second place is VJ Kjoelby Higher Highlan on £422, driven by outstanding fat and protein percentages. VJ Boman Lasky Lando ranks third at £414, combining excellent daughter fertility, favourable maintenance and strong udder health traits.

Denovo Invictus remains the leading Holstein sire in this across-breed ranking, which is dominated this month by Jerseys. Taking fourth position with an SCI of £408, his performance is backed by more than 3,200 UK daughters, and he continues to offer outstanding daughter fertility together with exceptional improvements to somatic cell count.

The next placed bulls are VJ Christiansborg Steno Shine (SCI £397) and VJ Risholm Luxi Lagoa P (£396), both ranking highly for maintenance efficiency.

In seventh and eighth positions are VJ Adelgaard Domino Danka (SCI £393) and VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (£387). Both bulls offer excellent milk components, with Luxplus also standing out for daughter lifespan.

Ninth-placed VJ Ravninggaard Huus Hamlet (SCI £381) continues to impress for daughter fertility, while FB 442861 Knighton P completes the top 10 with an SCI of £353. This Holstein sire combines high milk, fat and protein yields with exceptional resistance to mastitis as reflected in his SCC performance.

Victoria Ashmore, animal genomics manager, AHDB, says: “Grazing based producers calving in a tight block in spring attach a particular importance to energy efficiency, fertility, health and functional traits, and the £SCI reflects these demands. Variety continues to be offered in this ranking with 11 of the top 25 bulls carrying the Viking Jersey (VJ) prefix, while New Zealand-bred sires retain a strong presence, with seven bulls represented in the top 25.”

For the complete list of available bulls ranked on £ACI and £SCI, please visit the AHDB website