{"id":5576,"date":"2026-04-13T05:47:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.absglobal.com\/za\/?p=5576"},"modified":"2026-04-16T04:36:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:36:51","slug":"april-2026-sire-summary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.absglobal.com\/za\/april-2026-sire-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"Sire Summary April 2026 – Profitability\u00a0with ABS Balanced Sires"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Success in today\u2019s dairy industry goes beyond single\u2011trait selection or following industry trends. Maximising milk revenue, controlling costs, and improving Beef\u2011on\u2011Dairy production, depends on a genetic strategy customised to your herd, your goals, your dairy facilities, and environment. That\u2019s when you\u2019ll drive real profitability through measurable genetic progress.<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With changing herd goals and evolving production systems, balanced sires play a critical role in improving longevity, fertility, health, milk yield, and overall profitability, without compromising genetic diversity. At ABS South Africa, the focus remains clear: helping you profit from genetic progress by building the\u202fright\u202fcows for your dairy operation.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out how we help you profit from genetic progress<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Drive Real Profit with Balanced Sires<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The classic comparison of a sprinter and a marathon runner can be easily used to describe dairy cattle. A sprinter delivers intense productivity in short bursts, while a marathon runner maintains a steady, reliable output over time. While the sprinter\u2019s speed and power are impressive, it\u2019s the marathon runner who ultimately lasts the longest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balanced cows are designed to stay productive over time, combining solid milk production with the fertility, health, and longevity needed to remain in the herd long enough to generate a true return on investment\u2014like a marathon runner. Genetics solely selected for\u202fhigh levels\u202fof fat and protein production are\u202fsprinters\u202fwith potentially other weaknesses that lead to early culling before\u202freturn\u202fon investment\u202fis met.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Uncover more about why Balanced Sires<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The framework for a profitable cow includes a balance of good scores for\u202fProductive Life, Daughter Pregnancy Rate, Cow Conception Rate, Milk, moderate Stature, Fat and Protein, and health traits like Somatic Cell Score. <\/strong>At ABS, the objective isn\u2019t to create \u201csprinter\u201d cows for customers that excel briefly and leave the herd early. Our goal is to deliver marathon cows that perform consistently across multiple lactations<\/strong>, driving overall profitability for customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ABS balanced sires produce cows built for the long-haul\u2014delivering profitability and not only short-term gains<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Sire Summary TPI Formula Update<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This Sire Summary, the CDCB released a formulation change to the Total Performance Index (TPI). The numeric drop from the TPI formula update was the result of a shift in weight from Fat to Protein. Let\u2019s be clear. This does not mean that a bull got worse overnight. The bulls are still the same, but the way in which they are evaluated for TPI has changed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you select genetics using this index, it is critical for you to review your genetic plan to ensure you will still incorporate genetics that meet your herd goals with the new TPI formula update. The average TPI drop is 35 points for higher-end sires, whereas on an individual bull basis, the average is closer to around 20 points, give or take. Thus, this update will result in some slight re-rank. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously: 19:19 Fat:Protein ratio <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New: 14:24 Fat:Protein ratio <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With the update, is TPI still aligned with your genetic plan direction?<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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This TPI formula update does put NM$ and TPI at opposite ends of the Fat to Protein ratio spectrum, meaning the two indexes are moving farther apart. Because ABS selects for a balanced ratio of Fat and Protein, the industry change leaves us in the middle ground as we create sires with many strengths and very few weaknesses. This is another example of why an approach focused on a balanced genetic profile with a customized genetic plan mitigates the impact of industry updates and reranking.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

US Holstein Sire Summary Highlights<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n