The dairy industry continues to evolve. If we compare dairying 20 years ago to today, we see more technology adoption, automation, and access to better data that drives decisions. The shift to increase female selection intensity and the use of genomic bulls over proven is apparent on-farm. Not to mention, general industry changes include an increasing average herd size as well as a gene pool that is more protected than ever before.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER TO YOU?
It’s simple. To weather the storm of an ever-changing industry, it’s critical to have a tailored genetic plan that enhances YOUR efficiency, profitability, and sustainability. You could be leaving money on the table with genetic selection based solely on what the industry deems important, today’s most popular bull, or this Sire Summary’s highest-ranking sires. Subsequently, continuously using a single sire line because of its high-ranking status could put your dairy at risk and open the door for harmful recessives to appear.
Our goal is to drive genetic progress faster, but it’s our duty to also do it in a responsible way that preserves genetic diversity and protects our customers. We aim to create balanced sires that are strong for many traits and have very few weaknesses because they generate healthier, more fit, more productive, and more fertile cows. Our performance during this Sire Summary proves our genetic diversity not only protects our customers but supports them in reaching their goals.
A BALANCED PORTFOLIO
Genetic diversity continues to be an important discussion point. Over the years, the dairy industry has seen more germplasm protection, fewer breeder herds, high IVF and flushing costs, and increased use of genomics and selection intensity, making it challenging to maintain genetic diversity in any breeding plan.
This means genetics companies must uphold strong breeding programs to ensure success for producers. However, it’s safe to say not everyone takes this as seriously as we do, which is unfortunate. Your future depends on it.
We’ve Globally launched 27 bulls this Sire Summary by 14 different sires from 12 different maternal grandsires, showcasing true genetic progress and diversity.
Globally ABS has been taking steps to maintain a strong genetic nucleus for years now. Here’s how.
- The complete acquisition of De Novo gives us access to a wide range of bloodlines, high-ranking females, and desired IVF sessions.
- Purchasing high-ranking females or IVF sessions outside of ABS bloodlines guarantees our ability to create and offer diverse genetics.
- Because we have our own Research and Development department, we can create solutions for the future from within—most co-ops don’t have the ability to invest like we can.
Now, let’s dive into what has come out of this Sire Summary…
PERFORMANCE OF KEY BLOODLINES
UK Holsteins
Our portfolio continues to deliver unmatched genetic diversity with 38 of the top 100 £PLI genomic bulls, from 23 sires and 22 maternal grandsires. 22 of these sires rank in the top 50, representing 14 sires and 13 maternal grandsires.
Denovo 2776 LEEDS and his sons continue to dominate the U.K. PLI lists with other high-ranking bulls include outcross sires like Denovo 20747 HYPE, Denovo 20478 COLTER-P, and Denovo 22192 SECTOR-P, showing the true diversity of our offering.
Notably, Sector-P weighs in as this autumn’s highest ACI combined Fat and Protein kgs bull at +99.7 kgs as well as being polled. At 1089 kgs of Milk and 58 kgs of Fat, Sector-P is ready to breed daughters to fill the milk tank without compromising on fertility and lifespan.
For proven bulls, Winstar MASERATI-P debuts at number 4, £727 PLI, as well as being the second highest proven bull for £ACI, and Winstar MENDEL-P went up £70 in PLI.
U.S. Holsteins
Denovo 2776 LEEDS added his first early milking daughters to his proof. He went up +30 NM$ to more than $1,000 NM$ and over 2,000 pounds Milk. His legacy continues with his 41 sons who are bred from 17 different maternal grandsires, average 138 pounds Combined Fat and Protein, and all are producing Sexcel.
29HO19973 BENEFIT now has 112 milking daughters and strengthened his position as one of the highest TPI proven bulls in the world. BENEFIT has a big impact on our breeding program, with 7 sons and 21 grandsons in production, all while still producing well himself.
14 sons of ABS Legend, 29HO19773 DUFFY from 10 different maternal grandsires all average over 900 pounds for Milk, +3.8 Productive Life and +0.42 CCR.
Polled Holsteins
Today, 20% of our active Holstein sires available in Sexcel carry the polled gene! They’re all selected with the same profitability traits and offer the added benefit of less hassle, reduced cost, and positive animal welfare by being POLLED! You get no horns and no production compromises with Genus ABS Polled sires. This Sire Summary we launched 4 new single P sires and 1 PP, and Genus ABS maintained its powerful polled position with some of the top sires across the globe.
Linear Choice
Our Linear Choice lineup is for producers looking to create strong, healthy, and balanced cows from established/world renowned cow families that are productive in commercial dairies. Genus ABS launched 2 new Linear Choice sires this proof run.
KENYON-HILL DNVO BANDO, a LEEDS son bred from 10 gens of VG/EX dams. BANDO gets his production from his sire and his balanced/High type linear from his maternal line. BANDO sits at +1.59 TYPE, with 1136KGs Milk with over 70kgs of CFP with positive milking speed.
With 8 generations of straight VG/EX dams providing a long, strong and deep pedigree Redhouse ZEUS-PP continues to deliver the full package. +1.46 TYPE with over 700KGs Milk. ZEUS-PP is the only son from the newly proven sire SBG MECCA-P as well as being the first homozygous sire within our Linear Choice lineup!
Friesians
The latest August proof run has also once again underlined the depth and quality of the Genus ABS Friesian lineup, with Goonhilly Coverack as the number one Friesian sire.
Coverack continues to “cover all the bases,” delivering exceptional balance across traits. An increase in both Fats and Proteins in this latest proof run has further strengthened his position. For breeders looking to build a balanced, high-performing herd, Coverack provides an ideal foundation, combining proven production, quality components, and all-round health and fitness traits.
Marking his first year on the market, Goonhilly Jericho has also made an impressive entrance, securing a place within the top 10. Jericho boasts outstanding health and fitness traits, led by a fertility index of +5.6 – a figure with the potential to shorten calving intervals by almost three days. This makes him an exceptional choice for breeders aiming to improve herd fertility and long-term efficiency.
BEST SUITED TO MEET A VARIETY OF GOALS AND NEEDS
Our lineup is unmatched in the industry when it comes to elite genetics in diverse packages. Because every dairy is unique, we strive to offer a large variety of sires that meet distinct customer goals.
Let’s take two real life customer scenarios. Do either sound like you?
CUSTOMER #1
This specific dairy farmer is an autumn block customer who is interested in sires with positive percentages, wants to drive improvements in fertility and lifespan but not at the expense of any milk production.
A quick search on Bull Search shows that Genus ABS has 38 bulls from 25 different sires and 25 different MGS that fit the criteria for this dairy farmers goals.
CUSTOMER #2
Another dairy farmer is searching for a bull that helps them reach their herd goals of significant Milk improvements and increases in herd fertility and longevity. This producer also values good conformation cows with great udders.
If you were to pull up this sort on Bull Search, you would find 30 bulls from 27 different sires and 25 different MGS that are a perfect fit for this dairy farmers goals.
NOT JUST ABOUT GENETICS
Because sexed semen is a commonplace tool today, its benefits can sometimes be considered ‘a given’ on a dairy. Let’s not forget. Sexed semen is a powerful tool that allows you to precisely manage heifer inventories, increase your herd size, and improve your herd’s lifetime genetic value—just to name a few.
Sexcel combines all of that and more into one straw. The most advanced sexed semen technology, exceptional fertility, the most profitable Genus ABS genetics, Sexcel is proven to fast forward your herd’s genetic progress. We are proud to offer our diverse set of balanced, genetically elite sires in a reliable product designed and validated with your success in mind.
- We have had record global Sexcel production in the past three months, with 322 dairy bulls currently producing Sexcel in North America alone. This is due to our continued investment to be the best in the industry and working cross-functionally to improve internal processes.
- 64 new Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss have been identified to produce their first units of Sexcel in September.
YOUR GENETIC PLAN
For us, it’s not about making bulls that hit the “top list.” We are dedicated to creating sustainable, profitable genetics that work for you. We want to create a genetic plan that is tailored to your herd, maximises your milk check by focusing on your market, and minimises your daily challenges by helping you improve weaknesses. In the end, the ultimate question is: what do you value in your genetics?
Your genetic selection should consider the following, not just industry popularity.
- How are you paid?
- What challenges do you face?
- Why do cows leave your dairy?
- What is your operation like?
- What is your environment like?
When you plan like this, you’re planning for the bigger picture, your future.
Find out more in this short video below:
Contact your local Genus ABS representative using the form below to secure your future with a customised genetic plan that includes our diverse, balanced sires.