Selz-Pralle Aftershock 3918 is the new national milk production record holder for the Holstein breed. This Holstein cow has set a new 365-day milk production record of 78,170 pounds of milk, with 3,094 pounds of fat and 2,393 pounds of protein.

This record breaks the previous 365-day record of 77,480 pounds of milk, set by Ever-Green-View My Gold-ET, owned by the Kestell family of Waldo, Wisconsin.

For comparison, the actual production average for all U.S. Holstein herds enrolled in production-testing programs in 2016 was 25,558 pounds of milk, 946 pounds of butterfat and 790 pounds of protein.

“3918 is a testament to the outstanding production capabilities of the Holstein breed. Not only did she set the national record for milk production, she also tested 4 percent for butterfat,” states Daren Sheffield, production records specialist. “She is an outstanding example of the superior capabilities of Holstein cattle for both milk and component production. The Selz-Pralle family should take great pride in the breeding and herd management that it requires to bring about a cow as exceptional as 3918.”

Selz-Pralle Dairy in Humbird, Wisconsin, is the breeder and owner of 3918. A Very Good-88 daughter of MS Atlees Sht Aftershock-ET, she started her record-setting lactation at 5 years and 11 months old. Currently, she has two daughters in the milking herd, 3-year-old Selz-Pralle Topside 4550 VG-87, and 2-year-old MS Joliam G W Atwood 4836 VG-83. 3918 is bred to Vieuxsaule Wilson-ET and will calve in December.

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Having produced over 44,000 pounds of milk as a 3-year-old and almost 58,800 pounds of milk as a 4-year-old, she has been named a National Elite Performer by Holstein Association USA Inc. 3918 averaged 15 pounds of combined fat and protein (CFP) over her lactation. She peaked at 19.6 pounds CFP in July, milking 228 pounds of milk per day with 5.3 percent fat and 3.3 percent protein, testing on a seven-day average.

Selz-Pralle Dairy is owned by Scott Pralle and his wife, Pam Selz-Pralle. They milk 360 registered Holstein cows with a rolling herd average of 30,917 pounds of milk, 1,219 pounds of fat and 969 pounds of protein.

"3918 descends from a cow we bought when we expanded 20 years ago. This family has been a work in progress as I have used the best type bulls available at the time of each mating. We strive for consistency, but 3918 exceeds our expectations. 3918’s offspring show great potential for the herd’s future," explains Scott Pralle.

Pralle adds, “3918 is a solid, hardworking, ‘blue collar’ Holstein cow who lives in a freestall barn and likes to be left alone. She is the perfect cow since she causes no problems; you don’t even know she’s there.”  end mark

—From Holstein Association USA Inc. news release

PHOTO: Photo courtesy of Selz-Pralle Dairy.