Publish date: 8.14.24
The August 2024 Genetic Evaluation resulted in a good day for ABS Global which has us even more excited for the future of our customers. Tremendous performance in some of our key bloodlines strengthened the core of our lineup as we think about the next generation of sires coming down the pipeline. Our focus on the diversity of our trait and pedigree mixes puts us in a prime position to offer our customers genetics that work in their specific operation. Because we know…each dairy is unique!
The future looks bright for ABS and our customers as we look at the results of the August 2024 Sire Summary. The performance of our key bloodlines and our investment in diversifying our genetics have resulted in varying trait and pedigree mixes that will provide our customers with the opportunity to choose genetics that maximize profitability within their specific operation.
Ryan Starkenburg, ABS Senior Geneticist
This national genetic evaluation was met with a variety of adjustments in calculations. This resulted in a Sire Summary with upward and downward shifts, but not a large amount of re-ranking. As a blanket statement to describe the changes during the Sire Summary, the bulls and genetics haven’t changed, but the industry calculations have. Let’s dive into what those changes were.
- CDCB incorporated new lactation age standardization factors, which are more precise by breed. They moved away from mature equivalent factors to a standardized age of 305 days. This caused a change in the genetic trends for Milk, Fat, and Protein which will impact the younger animals across the industry. Because of this adjustment, on average, the entire young Holstein bull population that is marketed tended to go up for yield evaluations, while the young Jersey bull population that is marketed tended to go down.
- Holstein USA revised the calculation for its Fertility Index (FI) to have equal weight on Cow Conception Rate (CCR) and Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR). In the previous calculation, the weighting was 7:1 for DPR and CCR, respectively. This change is generally favorable as CCR tends to be higher as we’ve seen fast improvement in fertility as an industry. This change would improve TPI scores but is offset by lower industry PTAs for CCR and DPR. Knowing the difference between DPR and CCR and how to use them will be key to understanding the impact of this change.
- CDCB edited and improved the modeling for Heifer Livability (HLV) with a net result of a decrease in HLV of roughly -0.3 in younger Holsteins. This also caused a -0.2 decrease in Productive Life (PL) when mixed into the multi-trait model.
As a reminder, these changes are formulation adjustments, not a base change. Thus, the shifts during the August 2024 Genetic Evaluation were less re-ranking and more entire shifts of populations up or down.
Now, let’s dive into how our sires performed this Sire Summary!
A TRIFECTA OF GOOD NEWS FOR HOLSTEIN
We were very pleased with the performance of a few key bloodlines and their impacts long term. A trifecta of good news came with the outstanding performance of 29HO19773 DUFFY, 29HO19625 LAKER, and 29HO19518 MENDEL-P.
Because of their genetic influence in our program and the addition of milking daughters, we had a close eye on DUFFY and LAKER who sired 29HO20684 LEEDS, the most elite sire for profitable genetics in the ABS lineup. Their positive performance today bodes well for the current and next generation of ABS sires. Below is the recap of their day.
- More than doubled the number of milking daughters from his previous proof
- +5 PRO
- +.3 TYPE
- +53 TPI
- Claim to fame as the sire of LEEDS, the sire of many next-generation ABS bulls
- +80 NM$ which increased LEEDS by +42 NM$
The final leg of our trifecta was the strong performance of proven polled sire, 29HO19518 MENDEL-P, who was up +87 NM$ and 132 TPI. MENDEL-P wasn’t the only polled sire to have a great day. 29HO19071 MONUMENT-P ended the day being up +40 NM$.
ABS continues to dominate within the polled genetics space. We believe that polled is already playing a significant role in dairy genetics and will well into the future due to their benefits which include lowering costs, saving producers time by eliminating a task no one loves to do, encouraging better animal welfare, and alignment with sustainability initiatives. The future really is POLLED!
To view our entire Holstein lineup, visit Bull Search.
TOP-NOTCH JERSEY SIRES
Sire Summary day showcased another strong showing for the ABS Jersey lineup. CDCB’s change from mature equivalent adjustment to an average age 305 standardization offered more accurate production estimates but hurt the yield numbers for Jerseys across the board. Lower Milk, Fat, and Protein values caused significantly lower Cheese Merit and JPI. While some re-ranking did occur, the main takeaway is to look at where a bull ranks amongst his peers rather than compare values from the last Sire Summary.
Despite this change, ABS Jersey sires continued to claim many of the top spots in the industry rankings. It is key to realize that the implementation of the new lactation age standardization factors created new cutoffs for high-ranking Jersey sires. If you have questions, ask your ABS Genetic Advisor to explain!
Here’s how our Jersey lineup stacks up against the industry:
- 6 of the top 10 JPI sires
- 12 of the top 30 JPI sires
- 5 of the top 10 CM$ sires
- 14 of the top 30 CM$ sires
Our Jersey lineup also includes the following:
- 9 sires over +175 GJPI
- 11 sires more than +755 CM$
- 7 sires more than +1,200 Milk
- 6 sires more than +125 CFP
- 6 sires more than +6.5 PL
- 7 sires over +1.0 DPR
- 15 sires over +18 JUI
We released eight new, exciting sires this Sire Summary. Full brothers, 29JE4497 JX STEED {6} and 29JE4498 JX EXPERT {6} are impressive JPI and DPR improvers while new polled sires 29JE4517 JEEP-P and 29JE4526 JX MELOY-P {6} offer pedigree diversity, outstanding milk, and solid health and fitness traits. 29JE4495 JIVE is a high-ranking CM$ that improves components. Three additional JOYSTICK sons, 29JE4531 TACKLE, 29JE4536 JX BUFFER {6}, and 29JE4514 JX PATRON {6} offer something for everyone among the new releases. Please note that not all of these sires were released in the U.S.
If you are in the U.S. or Canada, these five sires were also newly released in your region: 29JE4460 FLEEK {6}, 29JE4485 SKITTLES-P, 29JE4481 JELLY {6}, 29JE4491 POTENT, and 29JE4521 JUDE {6}.
A STRIKING DAY FOR ST. JACOBS
Apparently, the power was in three for ABS in the August 2024 Genetic Evaluation. A trio of St. Jacobs proven sires had a great day. 94HO19526 DREAMBIG had another solid proof run this Sire Summary. He was up in production and PTAT, under 3 on SCS, and holding steady at 2817 GTPI. 94HO19826 SHOWTIME*RC added milking daughters and went up over 500 pounds of MILK. He is making some exciting young cows who you see winning shows and getting sold for big dollars. SHOWTIME*RC is a bull that adds strength and substance and is a great cross on the show cow population. 94HO19766 FITTERS CHOICE is a modern-day Goldwyn. He produces exceptional young cows with terrific mammary systems and feet and legs as well as making incredible frames and correct rumps.
Of sires in the St. Jacobs lineup with semen available, there are:
- 5 bulls over 3100 GTPI
- 7 bulls over 1500 MILK
- 11 bulls over 100 FAT
- 10 bulls over 60 PRO
- 8 bulls over 3 PTAT
- 14 bulls over 2 UDC
If you are looking for sires within the St. Jacobs lineup who have balanced proofs with production, type, and health, our Linear Choice sires are the answer for you. Our pipeline for this program is full of impressive bulls who are high GTPI, solid for production and health traits, and the right-hand linear you are asking for.
More to come on our newly released Linear Choice sires: 94HO21662 ROQUEFORT and 94HO21721 MURPHY. Stay tuned!
This Sire Summary proved the breadth of our genetics, even with the changes seen due to formulation adjustments. Please remember that this was not a base change. However, you should make yourself aware that a base change will be happening next year. Every five years, the averages for the Holstein and Jersey breeds are recalculated through the base change process. This adjustment ensures the average PTAs for various traits within a breed are recalibrated to a new reference population, resetting these averages to zero. As new data and breeding advancements occur, this procedure helps maintain the accuracy and relevance of genetic evaluations over time.
We take great pride in advancing the industry through genetic improvement. We are proud to have delivered a ton of genetic progress to our customers over the last five years and look forward to continuing to do that. As your partner in genetic progress, let us help you accelerate your genetic progress with genetics and programs customized to your specific operation.
Looking for a partner in genetic success? Contact your ABS Genetic Advisor or complete the form below.
(608) 846 3721