Holstein USA recently released their analysis of the pedigrees of winning animals at the 11 National Holstein Shows held in 2012. Here at the Bullvine, we found the results very interesting and decided to take a closer look. The following is what we found:
- 187 Holstein heifers placed in the top three in their respective age classes at the National Holstein Shows, sired by 67 different bulls.
- 254 Holstein cows placed in the top three in their respective age classes at the National Holstein Shows, sired by 84 different bulls.
- 441 Holsteins placed in the top three in their respective age classes at the National Holstein Shows, sired by 125 different bulls.
The Heifer Story
Leading Sires of Heifers
RANK NAME # OF DAUGHTERS PTAT Udder Comp F&L Comp Body Comp Dairy Comp Stature
1 BRAEDALE GOLDWYN 23 3.03 2.59 2.56 1.93 2.03 3.1
2 MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD-ET 21 4.16 3.41 3.46 3.44 2.97 4.31
3 REGANCREST S BRAXTON-ET 17 3.57 2.11 2.01 4.19 3.27 4.52
4 GEN-MARK STMATIC SANCHEZ 14 3.07 2.17 2.44 3.34 2.83 3.91
5 CRACKHOLM FEVER-ET 9 2.28 1.76 1.49 1.97 1.82 3.11
5 GOLDEN-OAKS ST ALEXANDER-ET 9 2.26 1.58 2.17 0.35 0.99 0.77
5 MS ATLEES SHT AFTERSHOCK-ET 9 3.32 2.7 2.24 2.3 2.57 2.45
5 REGANCREST DUNDEE-ET 9 2.06 2.18 0.75 1.29 1.55 1.18
9 WILCOXVIEW JASPER-ET 7 2.89 1.94 0.73 2.56 2.52 3.22
10 KINGSMILL GDWYN ASTEROID-ET 6 2.61 1.69 2.16 2.66 2.52 2.72
Some really interesting points came out regarding these sires of the top heifers. First that Goldwyn, after all this time, is still dominating the list. Secondly his own son Atwood appears to be the heir apparent. Finally, GOLDEN-OAKS ST ALEXANDER has Body Comp, Dairy Comp and Stature all below 1 point all key traits in breeding a show heifer and yet he still had 9 daughters place in the top 3 at the National Shows. And lastly that most of Atwood’s daughters and all of Aftershock’s daughters were a result of their use as young sires. Case in point, the winning Junior Yearling and Winter Yearlings at Madison were both sired by Aftershock (Read – World Dairy Expo 2012 Show Results)
Lafontaine Aftershock Arrie – Junior Champion World Dairy Expo 2012
Leading Sire Stack of Winning Heifers
RANK NAME # OF DAUGHTERS
1 ATWOOD X DUNDEE 6
1 SANCHEZ X GOLDWYN 6
3 FEVER X DURHAM 5
3 GOLDWYN X DUNDEE 5
5 GOLDWYN X ASPEN 4
5 GOLDWYN X DAMION 4
5 PICOLO X ADVENT 4
8 BRAXTON X GOLDWYN 3
8 CONTENDER X ADVENT 3
8 DUNDEE X GOLDWYN 3
8 JASPER X GOLDWYN 3
8 SANCHEZ X DUNDEE 3
8 SPIRTE X ALLEGIANCE 3
When looking at what crosses work well, the following came to light. It’s no surprise that the Atwood on Dundee cross would work well since it improves the feet & legs and provides the dairyness that many Dundee’s need. Dundee provides the body depth that Atwoods need. A great example of this cross is Jacobs Atwood Lilly Boy the 2nd place Junior Yearling at Madison who is an Atwood x Dundee cross The same is true for Atwood’s sire Goldwyn when crossed on Dundee. The Sanchez on Goldwyn also appears to be a great cross as Sanchez provides the Dairy Strength improvement that many Goldwyn’s need and Goldwyn provides the bone quality and squareness of rump needed for the show ring. A great example of this cross is Welk-Shade Sanchez Kate the 2nd place Summer Yearling from Madison. The cross that strikes me as interesting is Fever on Durham. While there is no question this cross offers extreme dairyness, I would wonder if there was enough width of chest as well as body depth in this cross to compete at the major shows.
Jacobs Atwood Lily Boy
2nd Junior Yearling at WDE 2012
3th Junior Yearling at Royal 2012
The Cow Story
Leading Sires of Cows
RANK NAME # OF DAUGHTERS PTAT Udder Comp F&L Comp Body Comp Dairy Comp Stature
1 BRAEDALE GOLDWYN 55 3.03 2.59 2.56 1.93 2.03 3.1
2 REGANCREST ELTON DURHAM-ET 21 2.47 2.31 2.13 1.7 1.98 2.13
3 KHW KITE ADVENT-RED-ET 19 2.53 2.24 1.6 2.04 1.65 2.41
4 REGANCREST DUNDEE-ET 18 2.06 2.18 0.75 1.29 1.55 1.18
5 GEN-MARK STMATIC SANCHEZ 14 3.07 2.17 2.44 3.34 2.83 3.91
6 WILCOXVIEW JASPER-ET 11 2.89 1.94 0.73 2.56 2.52 3.22
7 ERBACRES DAMION 8 3.2 2.22 3.17 2.83 2.72 2.76
7 MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD-ET 8 4.16 3.41 3.46 3.44 2.97 4.31
9 PICSTON SHOTTLE-ET 6 2.66 1.97 1.79 2.42 2.3 2.71
9 ROYLANE JORDAN-ET 6 2.07 1.94 0.32 1.53 2.06 1.93
In the cow classes there really are not any surprises, as many of the usual suspects are well represented. The biggest thing in the cow classes is how much Goldwyn dominates, having more than twice as many daughters as any other sire. It is interesting to note that Atwood has 9 daughters represented on this list. His oldest daughters are just Junior 2yr olds. There are big things yet to come.
RF Goldwyn Hailey – Grand Champion World Dairy Expo 2012
Leading Sire Stack of Winning Cows
RANK NAME # OF DAUGHTERS
1 GOLDWYN X DURHAM 13
2 SANCHEZ X GOLDWYN 5
3 ADVENT X RUBENS 4
3 GOLDWYN X DUNDEE 4
3 GOLDWYN X GIBSON 4
6 ADVENT X SEPTEMBER STORM 3
6 DAMION X BLITZ 3
6 DUNDEE X LEDUC 3
6 DURHAM X LEDUC 3
6 DURHAM X ROY 3
6 JASPER X GOLDWYN 3
There is no doubt that the Goldwyn on Durham crosses works. You might wonder if there is enough frame in this cross to make it happen, With 13 of these crosses topping the National Shows (more than twice any other cross) and Atwood himself being a Goldwyn son of 2012 Golden Dam Finalist, MD-Delight Durham Atlee, the simple answer is that it just does. (Read more – Golden Dam 2012 Finalists) With 6 daughters topping heifer shows and 5 in the cow classes, Sanchez is appearing to be the sire to mate your Goldwyns to. It also highlights why young sires like Regancrest-GV S Bradnick will also work well on your Goldwyns as he has Sanchez, Shottle and Durham in his sire stack. The Shottle on Durham cross has also produced MS Atlees Sht Aftershock the sire of Lafontaine Aftershock Arrie, the Junior Champion from Madison. (Read more – 7 Sires to use in order to breed the next word dairy expo champion).
The Bullvine Bottom Line
There is no question that Goldwyn is dominating the show scene today. If he’s to get a run for his money, it will most likely come from his own son Atwood. If you’re ready to take your Goldwyns to the winner’s circle, the 2012 National Show results put the spotlight on Sanchez, his sons and Aftershock.
