Alta claims gold medal in Holstein sire fertility Alta has set the equivalent of an Olympic record recently with the USDA release of the new Sire Conception Rate (SCR) evaluation. The SCR evaluation is a more accurate measure of an individual bull’s ability to get cows pregnant. An SCR of +1 or -1 means a bull will produce conception rates that are 1% higher or lower, respectively, than an average fertility bull.

Over 75% of all Alta sires and 97% of actively marketed sires post conception rates that are higher than the industry average. The Alta bull line-up leads the nearest competitor by 15%. “Generating pregnancies is a huge profit-driver on progressive dairies. It is key to making genetic improvement and achieving the goal of a breeding program,” says Cees Hartmans, CEO of Alta Genetics. “We have focused our business on offering a maximum fertility product, and today we are seeing the result of the effort.”

Starting in 2001, Alta introduced an “every sperm cell counts” philosophy across the company to improve semen fertility. The initiative included operational improvements to bull housing and collection and production processes, the industry leading ConceptPlus sire fertility evaluation created with the Alta Advantage program, installing sire fertility as a marketing criteria to activate a bull, introduction of the Advance (1/4 cc.) semen straw, and extensive training programs for technicians and dairy staff through the AltaPreg program.

The SCR evaluation marks a significant improvement in how the industry will evaluate sire fertility. The evaluation is based on known breeding outcomes, includes results on cows receiving multiple services, and accounts for differences in how A.I. companies produce and market semen. As a result, the accuracy of the evaluation compared to non-return rate predecessors, like ERCR, has improved by 20%.

“Alta is setting the standard for bovine semen production systems and sire fertility evaluation,” says Einko Topper, Global Director of Production and Quality Control. “The ConceptPlus evaluation has been based on palpated pregnancy exams since the beginning, and it remains the gold standard today. It is all about accuracy, precision and an integral system of continuous improvement in determining the right product specifications for our clients.” The ConceptPlus program collects data direct from AltaAdvantage® dairies, benefits from larger contemporary groups, is more accurate and includes the most recent fertility performance data available.

New PACE and Alliance Holstein sires released
Accelerated Genetics is pleased to announce 12 new PACE young sire graduates, the most ever, and five new Alliance bulls after the August 2008 dairy sire summaries.

The first Alliance bull is 202HO00162 Jobess. He is a high reliable, high NM$, highly TPI Jocko Besn son from Germany. His dam is an EX-90 Airliner with 23,260 milk, 1200 fat and 806 protein. The next dam is a Converse with over 30,000 milk at 3-02. Jobess sires medium-framed cows that track well when viewed from behind, with good foot angle, high and wide rear udders with ideal teat placement from both front and rear.

The second Alliance bull is 202HO00189 Windspiel, the son of Wilsona Stardel, an Aerostar son from Lindy. His dam is a VG-89 high-production Cubby Metro. The next two dams are both Excellent and DOM. Windspiel has high health traits at +3.8 PL, +.4 DPR, 396 NM$, 2.38 PTAT, 1.91 UDC and 3.71 FLC, giving him a 1750 TPI.

Now for the August 2008 PACE, young sire sampling program, graduates. 014HO04598 Halo Macho Doman-ET is a Machoman son out of a VG-86 Manfred with over 30,000 milk at 2-00. Doman is +1.99 PTAT, 430 NM$, +1.6 DPR, 1712 TPI with 6% calving ease and +3.7 PL.

014HO04670 L-L-M Dairy Phil G-ET is a Pippen son out of an EX-92 Rudolph. Phil G is an 8% calving ease bull with +3.5 PL, 2.78 SCS, 422 NM$ and 1760 TPI. He is a blend of size (+1.63 stature), width (+.48 dairy form), strength (+.85 strength), great feet and legs (+2.07 foot angle and +2.37 foot and leg score) and exceptional udders (+3.40 fore udder attachment, +2.16 udder cleft and +2.95 udder depth).

014HO04599 Rosedae Stormatc Abraham-ET is a Stormatic son from a VG-85 high-producing Convincer. He sires medium-framed dairy cattle with phenomenal rear udders, +4.19 height and +4.71 width, and strong udder cleft. He is 110 CFP (+.02 protein and +.18 fat) with +1.5 PL and 8% calving ease.

Excalibur Sires gets the gold during August proofs
While the American team is grabbing gold in Beijing, Excalibur Sires is doing the same back in the United States. The August 2008 proofs have raised many of Excalibur Sires bulls to be some of the best sires in the world. Bulls like Reality-Red, Big Daddy, and Lewis received spectacular proofs last month.

Hurtgen-Vue Reality-Red VG-88 gets the gold and is the number one red and white bull in the entire world for Feet and Legs. Reality-Red scored +3.61 for F&L and also is +2.49 PTAT and +1.95 UDC. Making Reality Red even more incredible is the fact he has an impressive +0.21% for fat and +2.3 PL. The shocking news is many high-scoring Reality-Red daughters just missed the cut-offs to add more phenomenal daughters to his already stellar type proof. Reality’s dam is Hurtgen-Vue HHR Vanessa-Red 3E-93 who is sired by the incredible Hanoverhill Renaissance!

Lesperron Big Daddy-ET EX-91 should also win some medals with his +1465 Milk proof. Big Daddy also went big by being +34 Fat and +34 Protein and did it with a 90% Reliability. Big Daddy didn’t just make his daughters to be good milkers as his type proof was +1.96 PTAT, +2.53 UDC and +1.73 FLC. Big Daddy is also the perfect choice to use on heifers as he has a 7% calving ease.

Recently added Lesperron Lewis provides dairymen a fantastic source of outcross genetics. A Canyon-Breeze Allen son from the Laurie Shiek family, Lewis saw a nice increase to his type proof and came in at +2.43 PTAT, and +2.06 UDC. He has come through an incredible daughter milking average of 27,379 pounds of milk.

Henkeseen Hurricane-ET also saw a nice increase to his production proof this August. Hurricane, a Stormatic Son, has an impressive +1273 milk. Hurricane also came in with a +1.93 PTAT. Hurricane’s dam is Henkeseen M Hillary-ET 3E-94 GMD DOM who is the dam of 12 Excellent daughters.

Bojangles still holds a top spot at +1812 TPI, +1.61 PTAT, and +1.9 PL. The Bojangles daughters continue to impress all those who see them with their width, power, and strength.

IPS bolsters sire lineup with August proofs
With the August 2008 sire summaries, International Protein Sires (IPS) bolstered their proven sire offering through exceptional additions. The current sire lineup also realized significant advancements according to Ron Sersland, President and CEO.

6HO0773 Jimtown Newfashion is a formidable proven sire addition. Sired by Stormatic, Newfashion is from an Excellent-92 daughter of Merv. This newcomer on the block is from eight generations of Very Good or Excellent cows. Along with a solid milk proof, Newfashion touts impressive type stats at +2.42. In addition, Newfashion is among the breed leaders for foot and leg composite at +3.50.

Since being released a year ago, 6HO0963 Baccalaureate has made significant gains in his level of excellence. The bull has shot up 350 TPI points to +1660 during that period – and increased the composites scores, both udder and feet and leg. This complete son of Comestar Lee is from a Very Good Jolt daughter. His next three dams are also Excellent.

183HO0135 Spoutnik continued his breed advancement by inching higher on the Holstein Association’s Top 100 list where he ranks #33. With a TPI Rating of +1806, Spoutnik is the highest Net Merit Dollar IPS proven bull at +544NM$. A Jocko Besne son, Spoutnik is from an Excellent-92 Rudolph daughter.

IPS has become a significant player in the growing interest for Red Holsteins. 6H0978 Barney-Red is solid for milk with high type at +2.32. 6HO0999 Cole is a pacesetting red carrier bull at +1612 TPI. Cole is also a breed leader for fertility and calving ease. 6HO1124 Tycoon-Red is a respected source for strength and health traits. And he transmits very good udders, having a +2.44 rating.

August sire summary: Monumental for Select Sires
With the release of Aug. 19 genetic evaluations, Select Sires graduates 11 outstanding new Holstein sires that are some of the most elite in the breed. The exciting group includes high-ranking total performance index (TPI) sires, milk improvers, type specialists and more.

“Every sire summary is special at Select Sires, but this one can be truly called monumental,” said Blaine Crosser, vice president of dairy sire product line and sales management for Select Sires. “This class of new graduates is one of the most exciting in recent memory and includes many sires that we’re confident will greatly impact the Holstein breed. In October, five more outstanding Holstein sires will be released, making this graduating class even more impressive.”

7HO8165 England-Ammon MILLION-ET is a high-ranking TPI sire (+1905 TPI), standing among the top-15 in the breed. This Herdlife Builder and HealthMark sire combines production (+1,403 Milk) with elite Type (+3.04), and also excels in health traits (+4.0 Productive Life, +0.5 Daughter Pregnancy Rate and 2.89 Somatic Cell Score). There may be many Comestar-Outside-ET sons available, but MILLION stands out at 7% Calving Ease. Also a Superior Settler, MILLION is sure to be a popular choice for embryos and as a sire of sons. MILLION is available with gender SELECTed semen.

Entering the lineup as the highest Type bull at Select Sires (+3.86 Type), 7HO8190 Gen-Mark Stmatic SANCHEZ offers all four composites over +3.00. He boasts a flawless linear and will be in great demand for any breeder emphasizing type that lasts in the herd or wins in the show ring. This Comestar Stormatic-ET son will be a great complement to 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET*CV bloodlines, and for aAa enthusiasts, SANCHEZ’s code of 246 will garner attention.

High components (+.13% Fat and +.01% Protein) and even higher Type (+3.37) are the specialties of 7HO8221 Golden-Oaks St ALEXANDER-ET. He stands among the top-20 in the breed for TPI at +1874 and excels for both Feet and Leg Composite (+3.60) and Udder Composite (+2.54). Topping Select’s lineup for foot and legs score at +4.11, ALEXANDER produces tall, silky dairy cows with high, wide rear udders.

Semex bulls rank over 1,700 TPI
August 2008 proofs saw Semex sires take 12 of the top 100 International TPI Sires listings, all over 1700 TPI, and 76 of the top 100 Canadian LPI rankings, showing that Semex sires and stud code 200 can and do work everywhere.

April release 0200HO05217 Vieuxsaule Malicieux (Income x R Marshall) jumped to the #6 TPI position at 2014 TPI. This rise was pushed by a gain in production to +2071 PTAM with +49F +64P and a 3.7 PL, matched by his impressive type figures of +2.89 PTAT +2.93 UDC, 3.42 FLC and a 10 for CE. Adding to his popularity, he is a proven high fertility Semex Repromax sire.

“The Malicieux daughters are consistent with this proof,” says Nick Sarbacker, Semex USA Product Support Specialist. “His daughters consistently show high, wide rear udders with a good foot and heel depth, tracking very well. His popularity will grow as he joins Semex’s Goldwyn in the top 10 International TPI.”

Ranking #7 TPI, Goldwyn’s figures remain virtually unchanged as his reliability increases. He still tops the charts being the #2 PTAT sire at +4.06, #2 Conf at +17 with impressive fat, low SCS and high Productive Life and Herd Life scores.

Semex graduated three high Productive Life sires, each showing a balance of production, workability types and durable type qualities. 0200HO09008 Sandy-Valley Ed (Stormatic x Mtoto) debuts as one of the highest new release sires at 1759 TPI. Ed is siring some of the most efficient cows of the breed, ranking high in workability traits, with a low 2.77 SCS with exceptional production figures of 1061 PTAM and 64 PTAF. Making him more popular, he posted +2.22 PTAT, 1.65 UDC and 2.49 FLC with an 8 for CE. Ed’s daughters are working hard and positively returning on investment for their owners, making Ed an in-demand sire.

One of two Champion sons proven in August, 0200HO05245 Jeanleau Jazzman, is from a Lee dam from the Laurie Sheiks and enters the Semex lineup with excellent workability traits made for all environments. Jazzman’s well-rounded proof ranks him as just one of Semex’s 12 sires over 1700 TPI, at 1735 TPI with 1143 PTAM and PTAF 63 with a .08%. His dairy strength characteristics lead him to an even +2.00 PTAT with 1.40 UDC and 1.34 FLC with 2.9 PL, 2.85 SCS and 7 CE. PD