PLAIN CITY, Ohio, December 3, 2013—Three Select sires (7AY84 Palmyra Tri-Star BURDETTE-ET, 7BS796 Old Mill WDE SUPREME ET *TM QS and 7GU395 Sniders Option AARON-ET) earned the coveted Premier Sire banner at World Dairy Expo. Nearly 50 different Jersey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Milking Shorthorn sires had daughters that stood in the top five of their respective classes at the All-American Dairy Show, World Dairy Expo, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).

Five Junior All American Jerseys are Select-sired
At the All American Junior Jersey Show in Louisville, Ky., Showcase Selections™ Super Sampler™ 7JE1124 Avonlea CF Gt Balls of FIRE-ET sired the winning summer yearling, Bolle-Acres Fire Erin exhibited by Drew Bollenbacher of Argos, Ind. She was one of five Junior All Americans sired by “7J” sires including three 7JE867 Griffens GOVERNOR-ET daughters: Payneside GG Got Milk (E-91%), first junior three-year-old and reserve grand champion for Ben Sauder of Tremont, Ill.; SAR Governor Merry (E-91%), winning senior three-year-old exhibited by Tyler French, Newberry, S.C. and Payneside Red Solo Cup, first winter yearling owned by Morgan Betti, Goshen, Conn. In addition to her winnings in Louisville, Payneside GG Got Milk was the reserve intermediate champion at World Dairy Expo. 7JE1102 River Valley Sal SPLENDOR-ET sired the Junior All American fall yearling in milk, SW Splendor Luna, owned by Steven Wetmore of Mount Ulla, N.C.

Another FIRE daughter, Meadow Ridge Fire Jackpot finished in the top five of the summer yearling class at the All American Jersey Show and the International Jersey Show at World Dairy Expo. She is owned by Roger Riebe and Family of Cumberland, Wis. Pierstein Kyros Evangeline, sired by 7JE865 Sunset Canyon KYROS-ET and owned by Ferme Elegance of St-Gervais de Bellechasse, Quebec, was the third intermediate calf at the Canadian National Jersey Show while 7JE1038 All Lynns Louie VALENTINO-ET daughter, M-Signiture Valentino Scarlett-ET was the third spring calf at the All-American Dairy Show for Bailee and Calla Mazzaro and Duane Cole of Williamsfield, Ohio.

BRAIDEN, PEPPER and other Brown Swiss sires have success
7BS900 Blessing Tex BRAIDEN ET*TM “E92” sired three top-five finishers at the International Brown Swiss Show in Madison, Wis. including the fifth spring calf (Nolandale Braiden Jerada, Nolandale Farm, Lexington, Ill.), fourth senior three-year-old (Get-R-Done Braiden Gigi, Craig Walton and Donald Harwood, Pleasant Plain, Ohio) and fifth four-year-old (Lee-Anns Braiden Glitter “VG89,” Lee-Ann Swiss LLC, DeWitt, Iowa).

Several 7BS843 Voelkers Wndt Chilli PEPPER*TM daughters could be found in the younger calf classes including Kinnderkay Pepper Eden owned by Webb Kress of West Milton, Ohio. She was the fifth fall calf at World Dairy Expo and the winning fall calf and best bred and owned of the Southeastern National Junior Brown Swiss Show in Louisville, Ky.

7BS849 Cutting Edge THUNDER*TM and 7BS840 Top Acres GRANDSLAM ET*TM also had outstanding show seasons. Cutting Edge T Delilah, sired by THUNDER and owned by Kyle Barton of Ancramdale, N.Y., was the winning winter calf and junior champion at the Southeastern National Junior Brown Swiss show. GRANDSLAM daughter, Mase’s Manor Grandslam Lola, exhibited by Zoie Hamilton of Cochranton, Pa., was the winning fall calf and reserve junior champion of the All-American Junior Brown Swiss Show.

SUPREME sired the reserve grand and intermediate champion at World Dairy Expo as well as the reserve intermediate champion at the All-American Dairy Show.

BURDETTE dominates Ayrshire shows
BURDETTE had a banner day at World Dairy Expo where he sired the grand champion, reserve grand champion, junior champion, reserve grand champion of the junior show and junior champion of the junior show. It was no surprise that he earned the Premier Sire award that day. Sunny Acres TSB Silk (EX-92) was named grand champion for Greg Evans of Georgetown, N.Y. Melody-Lane Burdette Sally was the reserve grand champion, following up her grand champion award at the All-American Dairy Show for owner Kaylyn Wood of Saranac, N.Y. Spring Vale Burdt Applefritter (EX-91), owned by Jeffrey Hubbard of Thurmont, Md., was the reserve grand champion of the junior show at both World Dairy Expo and the All-American Dairy Show.

In the World Dairy Expo heifer show, De La Plaine Burdette Bling-ET was the winning summer yearling and junior champion for Ferme Charest and Ferme De La Plaine of Ste-Francoise, Quebec and Four-Hills Burdette Alex 3908 was the top spring yearling and junior champion of the junior show for Britney Hill of Bristol, Vt.

Another BURDETTE daughter, Palmyra-Ragimore-EV B Gigi (VG-89), owned by Palmyra Farm, Edmund Els, Ragimore Trust and Barti Volschenk Hagerstown, Md., was named reserve grand and intermediate champion at the All-American Dairy Show and reserve intermediate champion at NAILE. The reserve junior champion at the All-American Dairy Show, Sunny-Acres TSB Karma-ET, was also a BURDETTE daughter exhibited by Nancy Vaill, Pine Plains, N.Y.

7AY89 Palmyra Poker RIGGINS-ET also sired many top placing animals including, Old-Bankston Riggins Godess, owned by Hannah Halliburton, Smyrna, Tenn., who was the reserve junior champion at the Southern National Ayrshire Show in Louisville, Ky.

ALSTAR, GRUMPY and LIGHTNING sire Guernsey stars
Bluemoons L Darby, owned by Bill and Linda Blue of Circleville, Ohio and sired by 7GU445 Marodore T Les LIGHTNING-ET, was the winning winter calf and reserve junior champion of the International Guernsey Show. She was also a class winner at NAILE.

7GU405 Golden J Ronald GRUMPY daughter, Warwick Manor Grumpy Aliyah had an outstanding show season. Owned by James Riley of Williamsfield, Ohio, she was the second winter yearling at NAILE and World Dairy Expo and the third winter yearling at the All-American Dairy Show.

7GU398 Sniders Ronalds ALSTAR sired several high-placing animals this fall including Hartdale Alstar Skittles who was the winning summer yearling at the National Guernsey Show in Louisville and fourth summer yearling at World Dairy Expo.

AARON daughters performed well in cow classes with his offspring being named grand champion of the junior show at NAILE and All-American Dairy Show. These and other high placings at World Dairy Expo helped him win the Premier Sire banner.

Milking Shorthorn champions sired by LIRIANO and NITRO
7MS347 Mysha-WO Advent LIRIANO-ET daughter, Buckeye Knoll Plmamazing EXP-ET won her class at the All-American Dairy Show, World Dairy Expo and NAILE. She was named the junior champion of the open and junior shows at the All-American Dairy Show, the reserve junior champion of the open show and junior champion of the junior show at World Dairy Expo and junior champion of the Winter National Junior Milking Shorthorn Show in Louisville, Ky.

7MS349 Mysha-WO Robin NITRO EXP sired his share of champions and class winners including the reserve junior champion of the International Junior Milking Shorthorn Show, Lazy M Nitro Dez, owned by Mena Schmitt, Sun Prairie, Wis.

Former lineup sire 7MS340 Kuszmar Alfairs OTHELLO sired the grand champion of the International Milking Shorthorn show and reserve grand champion of the All-American Dairy Show while a 7MS341 Bar-D-Kuszmar CLAY daughter was grand champion of the Winter National Milking Shorthorn Show.

For more information on all members of the Showcase Selections lineup visit http://www.selectsires.com/designations/showcase.html.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

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™Showcase Selections and Super Samplers are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.

The December Holstein sire indexes, published today (Tuesday 3 December) by DairyCo Breeding+, tell a story of UK success, with three of the top 10 daughter-proven bulls – in a fiercely competitive international field – home-bred in Britain.

Of the three bulls – Ballycairn Oman Pello, Sherdon Irresistable and Cogent Twist– Irresistable will attract the most interest amongst producers, as he is a newcomer to the top 10 Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) ranking (he rises to third from 15th position) and has an outcross pedigree into the bargain. Bred by Jerry Palmer in Devon, he has no Oman, Shottle, Goldwyn or Planet in his pedigree and has been awarded 2013 Outcross Sire of the Year by an international Holstein magazine in a triumph for UK breeding.

A son of Cogent Maestro (in turn by Lukas), Irresistable has plenty of health and fitness in his pedigree and is predicted to transmit good fertility, low cell counts and long lifespans on to his daughters. His PLI is an impressive £255 while other highlights include nearly 40kg fat and positive components.

Ahead of Irresistable, the German-bred Guarini retains his number one position for PLI, rising to £268 and maintains his good Type Merit at 2.29, while Pello, ranked second, adds even more production to his high-performance index. Now with 1,104kg milk, 43.7kg fat and 35.8kg protein, he combines this phenomenal production with one of the lowest cell count indexes in the top 20 and ease of calving.

Beneath third-ranking Irresistable, a top-20 newcomer makes his debut, in the shape of the Danish-bred, VH Tirvad Goldwyn Grafit. Like Guarini, he is a Goldwyn son, and is predicted to transmit plenty of quality milk along with good health and fertility across the board, as well as a Type Merit of 1.88. On the strength of his original genomic figures he has already been used as a sire of sons in Denmark.

There is little change among the remaining top 20 bulls, although Cogent Twist starts to bring second crop daughters into his index, maintaining his PLI (£249) and edging upwards for type (TM 1.36), while Regancrest AltaIota becomes another big mover. Adding 29 PLI points to reach £232 and improving on type to 2.35, he becomes the number three conformation transmitter in the PLI top 20.

Just edging ahead on Type Merit at 2.36 is another newcomer to the PLI top 20 in the shape of Welcome Glenton. This US-bred son of Planet has a PLI of £225 and transmits solid production and fitness, as well as good type on to his daughters.

The final new name in the daughter-proven top 20 is Aurora Jeroen, a son of Beekmanshoeve Bertil, a bull which hails from the same cow family as the well-known UK-bred Ballycairn Tiergan. Jeroen’s sire and cow family both have good components, and this can be seen in the bull’s own index.

“It’s a pleasure to see three UK-bred sires in the top 10 and highlights the fact that UK breeding is on a par with the best in the world,” says Marco Winters from DairyCo. “The fact that two of these three bulls are also available as sexed semen will further assist UK breeders when it comes to producing replacements.”

Source: DairyCo

The December ranking of genomic sires, published by DairyCo Breeding+ this week, features many young bulls who are starting to become familiar and a smattering of newcomers to liven up the pack.

Retaining his number one position is Robust son, De-Su RB Moonray, a top fat improver at 46.1kg, whose transmission of health, fertility and conformation earn him a sky-high Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) of £292.

Sharing second position are Mr Moviestar Mardi Gras and Hoanster Zanzibar, each with a PLI of £278.

Mardi Gras is a son of genomic sire, Mogul, and out of a Planet daughter from the Rudy Missy family. This line is well-known for breeding AI sires, including the popularSeagul-Bay Supersire, who ranks in joint fifth position. The high type transmission predicted for Mardi Gras is a particular feature, as he weighs in with a Type Merit of 3.66.

Hoanster Zanzibar features a slightly different pedigree as an RMW Armitage x Laeschway Jet Bowser from the Rud Zip family. Zanzibar, like many of the top genomic young sires, specialises in improving daughter health, with a low Somatic Cell Count Index and amongst the best for daughter fertility (Fertility Index 6.4).

For the next of the newcomers we move to equal 12th position where EDG Demanmakes his debut with a PLI of £265. Another son of Mogul and out of an Atwood from the well-known show cow Scientific Debutante Rae, this bull features by far the highest Type Merit of the top 20 at a massive 4.08.

Bomaz AltaJager features for the first time in equal 16th position, and is backed by the slightly unusual pedigree of Hunter x Russel x Lancelot. Hunter is a Man-O-Man son, and still a young sire himself. With high type, outstanding cell counts, good daughter fertility and solid production, this all-rounder has a PLI of £259.

The top 20 is rounded off by the final new entrant to the group in the shape of Seagull-Bay MVP with a PLI of £257. Another Mogul x Planet from the Rudy Missy family, he is a maternal brother to Supersire.

“These young genomic sires continue to represent a big step up from most of the daughter-proven sires and I’d urge dairy producers who are keen to make genetic progress to consider a selection for their herds,” says Marco Winters from DairyCo. “The reliability of their production indexes is around 67 per cent which is sufficiently high for most producers to feel comfortable with their use.

“By using a selection of young sires, rather than focussing heavily on a few, worthwhile progress can be expected while minimising the risk.

“However, as genetic turnover accelerates it is increasingly difficult to keep up with ancestry details, so producers should study pedigrees carefully to maintain a broad range of bloodlines when selecting their genomic sires,” he says.

DairyCo has published a ‘Guide to genomic evaluations’ which is available online and also has a video online explaining how genomic indexes are calculated and how they should be used. For details visit www.dairyco.org.uk

For breeds other than Holstein there has been stability within the DairyCo Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) rankings where British Friesians in particular have remained rock solid.

Deangate Tarquin retains his position as the number one bull of the breed thanks to his consistently good production figures and excellent fitness traits which come together in a PLI of £202. The next three bulls are equally familiar as Morcourt Hilton,Lakemead Randolf and Langley Evolution retain their second to fourth positions. New into the top five from sixth position in the previous ranking is Lakemead Pinnacle. A son of Marshside Rocket from a Catlane Camelot dam, Pinnacle has a PLI of £161.

Jersey

The Jersey top five sees a slight reshuffle, with DJ Broiler regaining the lead thanks to an increase in his Lifespan Index to +0.5. He now has a PLI of £223, with solid all-round transmitting ability, and his gain pushes VJ Lure into second position. Lure is followed by the third consecutive Danish bull, DJ Lix. The two North Americans, All-Lynns Maximum Vernon (with the highest milk yield in the top 20) and Sunset Canyon Athams Allstar, complete the top five.

Ayrshire

Finnish bulls keep control of the Ayrshire ranking with V Foske still featuring as the number one sire with a PLI of £198. He is followed by Gunnarstorp (PLI £184) in second, while joint third are Asmo Andrei and Swedish Red, Pell Pers (PLI £168).

Brown Swiss

For the Brown Swiss breed, Huray retains the top position with a PLI of £228. This high milk transmitter also has good figures for lifespan and daughter fertility at 0.6 and 9.5 respectively. Second placed is Vinold and new in third spot is German bred, Hegall, whose early daughter information lifts his PLI to £168.

Other breeds

For the Guernsey breed, Sniders Option Aaron takes the top spot on Guernsey Merit Index, Odislait further strengthens his grip on the Montbeliarde listing and Marleycote Blizzard makes a high entry on to the Shorthorn listings.

Comparison across breeds

“It must be remembered that genetic indexes should not be compared directly between breeds,” says Marco Winters, head of genetics for DairyCo. “The figures for each breed are calculated to relate to that breed average, so comparing figures across breeds would be both meaningless and potentially misleading.

“DairyCo supplies specific conversion formulae for those who want to compare one breed with another for cross-breeding purposes,” he says.

Source: Dairyco

Over 30 past and present members of the Select Sires lineup sired animals that stood in the top five of their Holstein or Red and White classes at this year’s fall shows. 7HO10506 Maple-Downs-I G W ATWOOD-ET (EX-90), 7HO8190 Gen-Mark Stmatic SANCHEZ (EX-94), 7HO8221 Golden-Oaks St ALEXANDER-ET (EX-94), 7HO9264 Lirr Drew DEMPSEY (VG-86) and 7HO9165 Regancrest S BRAXTON-ET (EX-95) sired the largest number of Select-sired standouts at the All-American Dairy Show, World Dairy Expo, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE).

In Holstein Association USA’s recently released Pedigree Analysis of National Show Winners, G W ATWOOD, SANCHEZ, ALEXANDER, BRAXTON, 7HO10920 Mr Chassity GOLD CHIP-ET (EX-92), DEMPSEY and 7HO9420 Fustead Goldwyn GUTHRIE-ET (EX-94) were among the top 22 leading sires of national show winners. G W ATWOOD ranked second overall and in heifers, while SANCHEZ was the second-leading sire of show-winning cows. Both rank as the top active A.I. sire in those respective categories and all seven sires listed have semen readily available.

G W ATWOOD led the Showcase Selections™ lineup with the highest number of class winners and champions this show season, highlighted by Cameron-Ridge Atwood Beauty, the junior champion at both World Dairy Expo and the All-American Dairy Show. Beauty is owned by Chris and Jennifer Hill and Gene Iager of Thurmont, Md. Claquato-RH Elicit-ET was the winning senior two-year-old for Gene Iager of Fulton, Md. at the All-American Dairy Show and the Mid-East Fall National Holstein Show. In Louisville, Elicit was named intermediate champion. In the International Junior Holstein Show at World Dairy Expo, G W ATWOOD dominated the heifer show siring the junior champion and reserve junior champion. St-Jacob Atwood Adria, exhibited by Andrew and Mackenzie Reynolds, Corfu, N.Y., and Gebarten Atwood Maria owned by Taylor Morrill, Dekalb Junction, N.Y., earned those honors. The winning junior calf and summer yearling at the Canadian National Holstein Show as well as the winning senior two-year-old at the All-American Dairy Show were also G W ATWOOD daughters.

SANCHEZ emerged as a top sire of cows on the tanbark. Leading the way was the honorable mention intermediate champion at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Valleyville Rae Lynn (VG-89), owned by Quality Holsteins, Granja Ponderosa, Al-Be-Ro Land and Cattle and Agriber of Vaughan, Ontario. Also at the Royal, Phoenix Sanchez Geo (VG-88) exhibited by Breamont Holsteins of Tavistock, Ontario, was the first place junior three-year-old. Jacobs Sanchez Blacky-ET (VG-87), owned by Jacob Dueppengiesser of Perry, N.Y., was the reserve intermediate champion of the junior show at World Dairy Expo. A SANCHEZ daughter was also the winning junior two-year-old at NAILE.

At the North American International Livestock Exposition, two Select-sired heifers rose to the top of the shows. Crossjen Dempsey Jana-ET, sired by DEMPSEY and owned by Jennifer Wakeley, Rockford, Ill., was the reserve junior champion of the open show while GOLD CHIP daughter, Four-Hills GC Rhyme 3846-ET was junior champion of the junior show for her owner, Elizabeth Hill of Bristol, Vt.

Daughters of 7HO10999 Regancrest-GV S BRADNICK-ET (EX-94), 7HO11118 Mr Atwood BROKAW-ET (VG-86), 7HO11283 De-Su D MAYFIELD 893-ET (EX-90) and 7HO8165 England-Ammon MILLION-ET (EX-92-GM) were also spotted at the top of their classes.

In the Red and White world, 7HO11163 Tiger-Lily LADD P-RED-ET daughter, Milksource Ld Teagin-Red-ET, was junior champion of the junior show at World Dairy Expo. Teagin is owned by Jordan Elmore and Kadyn Gibson of Eminence, Ky. 7HO10000 Big APPLE-RED-ET and 7HO10647 Ladinodale AARON-RED-ET sired animals that were at the top of their classes.

7HO7872 KHW Kite ADVENT-RED-ET (EX-94) continued to dominate Red and White shows across the country and received his fifth consecutive Premier Sire banner at World Dairy Expo. He sired top cows such as the reserve supreme champion of the junior show at World Dairy Expo, intermediate champion at the Canadian National Holstein Show and grand champion of the Canadian National Red and White Show and All-American Red and White Show. Another former lineup sire, 7HO9236 MD-Valleyvue CAMDEN-RED-ET (VG-88) had an exceptional show season as his daughters were tapped reserve junior champion at World Dairy Expo and junior champion and reserve junior champion of the Red and White show at the Royal.

For more information about Select’s complete Showcase Selections lineup visit http://www.selectsires.com/designations/showcase.html.

Semex and The Cenatte Group in Brazil are pleased to announce the establishment of a joint venture that enhances the strengths of both companies.

Located in Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil, Cenatte is one of the world’s leading biotechnology and bovine reproduction companies, working to increase beef and dairy client productivity for nearly 30 years. Enjoying excellent client satisfaction levels, Cenatte provides embryo transfer services, in vitro fertilization and genetic solutions, all now available through Semex Brazil.

As both companies are dedicated to providing their customers and partners with the most innovative genetic solutions and technologies available, Cenatte aligns well with Semex’s global strategies and beliefs, and is well supported for future growth.

“We are excited about partnering with Cenatte and its people,” says Paul Larmer, Semex Chief Executive Officer. “We know that we’re living in a global marketplace and we’re looking beyond our borders in order to provide leading genetic solutions. Cenatte will be integrated with our North American in vitro fertilization technologies, further strengthening our product line while offering the most up-to-date technologies to our Brazilian customers. We’re looking forward to working with our colleagues at Cenatte as one of our global partners, developing long-lasting and profitable herds for our clients. We believe that this is Genetics for Life and a key part of our vision and mission.”

For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life or any of Semex’s suite of genetic solutions please visit www.semex.com.

Semex is pleased to announce that Harry Schuiling and Zoltan Veres will be joining its newly expanded Global Business Development Team as Sales Managers effective early 2014.

“We truly believe that people are our most important asset,” says Paul Larmer, Semex Chief Executive Officer. “And, we’re very excited to have these two gentlemen be promoted within our global organization to these new positions. Both have an exceptional history with the Semex family and we’re pleased that they will be joining our global management team to further our growth strategies worldwide.”

Harry Schuiling has served as the Operational Manager at Semex-Holland B.V. since 1997. He has been instrumental in building and establishing this organization as a genetic leader in Holland, Belgium and Denmark, providing strategic marketing and sales programs. These programs have resulted in growth, successful partnerships and profitable joint ventures. Prior to joining Semex-Holland B.V. Harry worked for a competing genetic company as a senior manager and was a veteran classifier for the Dutch Herdbook, classifying more than 10,000 cows annually.

Zoltan Veres has been the Managing Director of Génbank-Semex Hungary Ltd. since 2002. During his tenure, Génbank-Semex Hungary has grown to be the market leader, being named the #1 Cattle Breeding Company in Hungary on the 2014 Golden List. Recently, Zoltan oversaw this facility’s expansion that will allow it to accommodate 200 bulls under the Semex Gold Standard™ for collection, processing and distribution throughout the world.

Working across territories, both gentlemen will work alongside John McDougall and Gordon Miller, two of Semex’s Directors International Sales & Business Development. Harry will focus on Asian and European markets, while Zoltan will work in Central and Eastern European markets.

Youth are the foundation and next generation of agriculture. Accelerated Genetics is excited to provide the following scholarships to its customer’s families to ensure agriculture’s bright future!

Youth Scholarship: Accelerated Genetics awards four – $500 scholarships to high school seniors planning to major in agriculture at a short course, vocational technical college or a four-year university. Any high school senior who has participated in FFA, 4-H, any of the various breed organizations or any other agricultural organizations is eligible to apply.

How To Apply For Youth Scholarship: To obtain a scholarship application, download it from the Accelerated Genetics website at www.accelgen.com/Scholarships.aspx, call 1.800.451.9275 or emailscholarships@accelgen.com. The Application Deadline is: February 15, 2014!

Collegiate Scholarship: Two – $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students currently enrolled in a short course, vocational technical college or a four-year university degree program. Supported by Accelerated Genetics, the collegiate program is available to individuals who are currently in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year and are majoring in any agricultural field. This scholarship program is run by the National FFA Foundation.

How To Apply For Collegiate Scholarship: This scholarship application can only be completed online at www.ffa.org and click on Programs link and then the Scholarship link. The Application Deadline is: February 1, 2014! . (Required Signature Page must be mailed postmarked no later than February 8, 2014.)

Applicants or their parents must be currently active customers of Accelerated Genetics to be eligible for both types of scholarships.

Accelerated Genetics is a global provider of bovine genetics and research, reproductive services, and solution-based animal health products. With a focus on People, Products and Pride, the Accelerated Genetics vision is to be the producer’s trusted first choice.

Scott Feathers, New Enterprise, PA, has joined CRV as an area sales manager. Coming to the organization with more than 25 years of experience in the A.I. industry, Scott has a strong working understanding of the dairy industry and especially reproductive technologies and troubleshooting.

“Scott has a strong relationship with his customers,” stated Brett Haines, managing director of CRV USA. “His strong sales experience, dedication to his customers, and dairy industry knowledge will ensure his success.”

As an area sales manager, Scott will be responsible for developing distributor networks, service support teams and reproductive management support for dairy producers to continue improving how they operate. Working with field, office and his extensive network, Scott will identify and recruit the tools and people needed to provide better solutions to dairy owners and herd managers.

Scott has always been impressed with the diverse genetics CRV provides. “I’m excited to be able to offer such a wide variety of genetics to my producers,” Scott said. “CRV’s large bank of sires with a focus either on components, grassland, or sires to match any management style, along with the opportunity to help the company grow is what excited me about CRV USA.”

To learn more about CRV, its people, or products in your area, please visit www.crv4all.us or give us a call at 1-855-CRV-COWS.

CRV is a global cattle improvement organization that exists to improve quality of life. CRV’s USA headquarters in Madison, WI was established in September 2009. Because we genuinely care, we pay attention to your farm, industry, and the general society. Our business goes beyond genetics providing service and information on all continents with dairy and beef farmers.

Everyone wants enough replacement heifers to maintain or even grow their herd size. Producers have achieved this goal with relative ease throughout the past 20 years.

While the trend during that time has shown a decline in the number of U.S. dairy cows, the heifer population has remained fairly constant. This means the heifer population as a percentage of the total cow population has been on the rise.

Figure 1 shows this growth in the heifer population, according to figures from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Why more heifers?
What factors caused this growth?

Many people lay the blame on sexed semen, when in reality many other factors have contributed to this growth over time.

While sexed semen has played its part, it was not heavily used on a commercial level until 2006.

This means the first females resulting from sexed semen were not born until 2007, which was the same time that the cost of replacement heifers hit a peak. Therefore, growth prior to and during that time must be attributed to other, more significant factors.

When you think about how the dairy industry has evolved, the best and most progressive producers have continually become more efficient and effective in all aspects of dairy herd management.

Advances in reproductive management have allowed people to get their cows pregnant more quickly. Estrus synchronization programs and more closely monitored reproduction programs have helped increase pregnancy rates on the most progressive dairies.

Another influence on the heifer population growth is improved maternity and calf management. Producers have focused on more effectively managing maternity areas to ensure more calves are born alive.

They have also become much more knowledgeable about calves, improving their feeding programs, ventilation systems and vaccination programs to yield a lower death loss and healthier replacements.

Calf and heifer management practices gained continual focus as heifer replacement costs were on the rise to their eventual peak in 2007.

When replacements were selling at premium prices, producers were more motivated to create as many healthy heifers as possible, with the knowledge they could sell their extra heifers for top dollar.

Table 1 shows the impact of increasing overall pregnancy rate, lowering death loss and dead-on-arrival (DOA) rates on a 1,000-cow dairy.

Increasing pregnancy rates, decreasing DOA rates and lowering death loss in calves has a lower direct cost than using sexed semen.

The drop in heifer conception rate from 60 percent using conventional semen to 45 percent using sexed semen, and therefore the extra days on feed due to this drop, are costs that need to be accounted for when determining the overall value of sexed semen.

As the table shows, other management factors have clearly played a larger role in increasing the heifer population than sexed semen alone. Adding 68 extra heifers per year to your herd from using sexed semen is great, but the return will be diminished if DOA rates and death loss have not first been properly managed.

Another factor that plays into the overall increase in heifer population as a percentage of the cow population is that producers now breed their heifers to calve at an earlier age.

Improvements in nutrition programs have promoted heifer growth to a point where their size allows for breeding months sooner than previously advised.

Dairies that are aggressive in enrolling heifers in an A.I. program and start breeding 30 days earlier than previously practiced can yield up to 20 extra replacement heifers for each month sooner that the heifers first calve, due to the quicker turnover in heifer population.

Economics drive the decision to create better heifers
At a time now when market reports show that heifer and bull calves are equal in value, and the market price for replacement heifers is less than the cost of raising them on your own, producers should question whether the current market dynamics encourage the use of sexed semen.

Information about a growing heifer population paired with current market prices makes it hard to justify the added cost of sexed semen and the lower conception rates resulting from the use of it.

The decision of whether and how to use sexed semen is ultimately for each producer to decide based on his or her own economic situation, future plans and genetic strategy.

Those raising Holsteins have a different market than Jerseys, where bull calves are worth less than heifers and valued at essentially nothing. And farms in expansion mode will have different economic situations than those at a static size.

However, when considering the current market dynamics and prices for males and females, it becomes quite logical that usage of sexed semen at the current time should be to create “better” heifers, not more heifers.

The key to this statement is the definition of better. Better heifers mean those that are genetically superior. Continually improving the genetics in your herd is a simple way to drive future profit on your dairy. However, to drive this in the right direction, you need to have a sound genetic plan, not only for selection of males but also for females.

A focused approach to sexed semen usage can certainly make it worth the investment. To accomplish this, it is imperative to set a customized genetic plan to meet your farm’s goals and then use your index to rank heifers based on their genetic potential.

Only you can decide how much emphasis your dairy should place on production, health and conformation traits.

This information can be used to separate your top-end heifers from the rest and therefore help you determine which heifers are the most logical candidates for sexed semen usage.

On those top-end heifers, use sexed semen from the best bulls that fit your genetic plan, rather than the cheapest sexed semen available, in order to make the most progress (see Figure 2).

Follow up with conventional semen on the remainder of heifers, and with the right management focus on keeping those alive, your herd will still grow.

And this growth will include more of the genetically superior and profitable animals, making them worth that extra investment to raise.

In conclusion
Management focus and factors such as pregnancy rate, DOA rate and calf survival have had a bigger impact on the number of heifers than sexed semen.

With the current economic situation, the use of sexed semen needs to be very focused because creating females that are worth the same as males for a higher input cost with lower reproductive rates does not make sense unless you use sexed semen in a focused way to create better heifers, not more heifers.

This can drive genetic progress, which may not have a cash-flow impact today but will certainly have an impact over the long haul.  

Source: Progressive Dairyman

TAG is proud to announce a new society as owners of TAG Do Brasil. This company, headed by Jonei Bortolanza GM of Multi-Rural, is actively involved in farm pharmaceutical distribution.  They have the network and the tools to take TAG products to a new status. The new office is located in Chapecó in the state of Santa Catarina. Their exclusive distribution covers 3 states in the South: Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

TAG – Brazil 2013

For the fourth consecutive year, 29JE3301 IATOLA earned the Premier Performance Sire Award, presented Nov. 11 at the 61st All American Jersey Show, held in Louisville, Ky.

Since the American Jersey Cattle Association introduced the award in 1975, IATOLA is only the second bull to receive the title four times, and the first to receive it in each of four consecutive years.

“Winning this award requires much more than show ring success alone,” says Larry Schirm, ABS strategic account manager. “It also requires the winner’s daughters perform in additional areas important to economic success.”

This award recognizes the bull accumulating the most points on at least two, but not more than six, daughters shown. The award is based on four criteria: 50 percent on daughter placings, 25 percent on the sire’s Jersey Performance Index, and 25 percent on production-based daughter yield deviations as calculated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory.

“Cows can be bred for milk production, cheese yield, and other factors such as type, reproduction and longevity,” continues Schirm. “With four years of winning this award, IATOLA has shown that his daughters have consistently performed in the show ring, while excelling for traits crucial to profitability, such as production, longevity and type.”

Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products. Marketing in more than 80 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.

On the heels of a remarkable World Dairy Expo and an impressive show season, Semex’s Show Time™ sires once again demonstrated their prowess in Toronto last week at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, with three breed champions competing for Supreme Champion accolades!

Impressively 200HO sires were on the top side of the pedigree in 58% of all animals shown by 24 different sires. Impressively, 93 of these placed in the top 10 of their classes, 52 were in the top five, 12 were class winners and seven captured champion titles! With a career like no other, Braedale Goldwyn continued his dominance of the National Canadian Holstein Show, capturing the Premier Sire Banner, siring 27% of the entire show as well as seven class winners. For the fourth consecutive year, a Goldwyn daughter was named Grand & Senior Champion Female as 1st place 4 Yr Old, Robrook Goldwyn Cameron, captured the blanket of roses and was named Best Udder of Show.

Other Goldwyn winnings include:

• Comestar Larion Goldwyn, 1st Fall Calf & Res. Jr Champion
• Cobequid Goldwyn Bayonet, 1st Winter Yearling
• Belfast Goldwyn Lasenza, 1st Jr 2 Yr Old
• Cookview Goldwyn Monique, 2nd 4 Yr Old & Res Grand & Res Sr Champion
• Ms Goldwyn Alana, 1st 5 Yr Old & Hon. Mention Grand & Sr Champion
• Calbrett Goldwyn Layla, 1st Mature Cow
• Eastside Lewisdale Gold Missy, 1st Longtime Production Cow
• 27 Goldwyns placed in the top five of their classes
• 50 Goldwyns placed in the top 10 of their classes

The Royal also featured numerous Semex sires that impressed visitors from the heifer classes through the Longtime Production classes. 12 class winners demonstrated Semex’s complete offering from the show’s beginning to its end including:

• Goldwyn (7) see above
• 0200HO03603 Gillette Stanleycup: 1st Winter Calf (Altona Lea Stanleycup Gretzky)
• 0200HO03501 Gillette Windbrook: 1st Junior Yearling (Rotaly Windbrook Hilda)
• 0200HO05549 Regancrest Reginald: 1st Fall Yrlg and Res. Jr. Champion (Fanico Reginald Marty)
• 0200HO02137 Pine-Tree Sid: 1st Milking Yrg (Combhaven Sid Monica)
• 0200HO03607 Allyndale-I Attic: 1st Sr 2 Yr Old & Res Inter Champion (Charwill Attic Marcy)

The Canadian National Jersey show was a showcase of 200JE sires, with Semex sires stamping their daughters with the show-winning look, including Bridon Excitation sire of the 2013 Supreme Champion of all Breeds, Page-Crest Exitation Karlie, the 1st place Sr 3 Yr Old. Other winnings include:

• 0200JE00131 Bridon Comerica named Premier Sire
• 0200JE00362 Gabys Arrow a Genomax™ sire: 2nd Jr Yrlg & HM Jr Champion (Missiska Arrow Venus)
• 0200JE00430 Lencrest On Time: Intermediate Champion & 1st Jr 3 Yr Old (Arethusa On Time Vogue)
• Select Scott Minister: HM Intermediate Champion & 1st Sr 2 Yr Old (Budjon Minister Lighten Up)
• 0200JE00136 Bridon Excitation:
• Grand, Sr. Champion & 1st Sr 3 Yr Old (Page-Crest Excitation Karlie)
• 2nd Sr 3 Yr Old (Marynole Excite Rosey)
• Bridon Jamaica: Res Grand, Res Sr Champion & 1st Mature Cow: (RJF Jamaica Rockstar)

The Canadian National Ayrshire show resulted in nine class winners for Semex including the
Grand Champion by Labrie Wilton, Steam-Valley Wilton Magic Bri. Other winners include:

• 0200AY00652 Nexus Dreamer a Repromax™ sire: Jr Champ & 1st Summer Yrlg (De La Plaine Dreamer Perfecta)
• 0200AY00580 Des Champois Poker a Repromax and HealthSmart™ sire: Res Junior Champion (Bellevue Du Lac Poker Kayla)
• Palmyra Tri-Star Reality: Hon. Mention Jr Champ & 1st Senior Yrlg (De La Plaine Reality Sting)
• Labrie Wilton: Grand Champion & 1st Mature Cow (Steam-Valley Wilton Magic Bri)
• Legace Modem: Res Grand Champion & 1st 5 Yr Old (Forever Schoon Ping)

The Canadian National Red & White Holstein Show saw Semex win four classes and claim
several titles including:

• 0200HO05651 Charpentier LFG Spectrum *RC, an Immunity+™, Robot Ready™ and Robot Ready™ sire: 1st Summer Yrlg: (Lookout Elmbridge Lil Red)
• 0200HO02427 Ardross Sterling *RC a Repromax and Red & White sire: 1st Jr 2 Yr Old (Bergeroy Sterling Dalico)
• Deslacs Shaquille *RC: Int Champion & 1st Jr 3 Yr Old (Lochdale Shaquille Missy)
• Ladino Park Talent *RC: Res Grand Champion & 1st 5 Yr Old (Ms Candy Apple Red)

With top placings in all classes from a variety of sires offering both profitability and longevity,
Semex and code 200 sires really are Genetics for Life.
For complete show coverage and videos visit: http://www.royalwinterfair.org.

As one of the dairy industry’s ‘must attend’ events of November, the 91st edition of the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair did not disappoint for Semex.

Prominent at the show, the Semex display was full of activity, as guests from Canada and dozens of countries worldwide discovered Semex’s products and services designed to increase dairy profitability including:

• Immunity+™: A 2013 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Award Winner, Royal visitors were extremely interested in Semex’s patented Immunity+ sires that have a naturally high immune response and will improve the health of the next generation
• SemexWorks™: Hundreds of visitors stepped up to our interactive station and used this simple touch, step-by-step process that helps them define their own genetic strategy
• Semex Premier™ Daughters: One of the most popular displays each year at the entire Royal, Semex showcased the following sires that offer genetics with both profitability and longevity:
  • 0200HO00546 DE-SU BOWMAN: HealthSmart™ & Calving Ease™
  • 0200HO05929 GEN-I-BEQ BRAWLER (2): HealthSmart & Robot Ready™
  • 0200HO03648 DOMICOLE CHELIOS: Repromax™, Calving Ease & Show Time™
  • 0200HO05592 CRACKHOLM FEVER: HealthSmart, Calving Ease, Robot Ready & Show Time
  • 0200HO02399 OCONNORS JAY
  • 0200HO05575 GILLETTE JORDAN: HealthSmart & Calving Ease
  • 0200HO02600 O-BEE KRUSADER: HealthSmart & Calving Ease
  • 0200HO05630 COMESTAR LAVANGUARD: Calving Ease, Robot Ready & Show Time
  • 0200HO05584 FLEURY MATHYS: HealthSmart & Calving Ease
  • 0200HO05567 R-E-W SEAVER: Immunity+™, Repromax, HealthSmart & Show Time
  • 0200HO02137 PINE-TREE SID: Repromax & Show Time

“Semex and Genetics for Life™ is about genetic solutions, our commitment to research & development, developing long-lasting, profitable herds and lifelong partnerships,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President Global Marketing. “All of this was front and center at the Royal, and dairymen from around the world were very impressed with our programs and services. Their goal is to build long-last, healthy and profitable herds. That’s our goal too, and our team was excited to share our story with them and work to with them more in the future.”

For more information on any of Semex’s brands or the products, programs and services featured at the Royal visit: www.semex.com.

Taurus Service, Inc leading Jersey sire of show dominating type 76JE0156 Tower Vue Prime Tequila ends the 2013 Show Season with an incredible 6 of 8 Junior and Reserve Junior Champions at the Big Four North American Jersey Shows! Starting in September at the All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Tequila sired a phenomenal seven class winners, including Junior Champion South Mountain Tequlia Sangria-ET for Ernie Kueffner and Terri Packard of Boonsboro, MD. In October at the World Dairy Expo in Madison Wisconsin sired the Junior Champion Stoney Point Tequlia Sunrise for Gene Iager and Craig Walton, Pleasant Plain, OH. Reserve Junior Champion went to Schulte Bros Tequlia Shot owned by Landree Fraley, Muncy, PA. In addition Tequila was the Ted Kruger Premier Sire of the Jersey Show at the World Dairy Expo. In early November during the Royal Winter Show in Toronto, Canada Tequila sired the Reserve Junior Champion JR Tequila Justina for Purple Fever, New York, in addition to four class winners. At the All American Jersey Show in Louisville, KY Tequila finished his great 2013 showing with both the Junior and Reserve Junior Champions. Repeating her victory at the World Dairy Expo for Gene Iager and Craig Walton was Stoney Point Tequila Sunrise. Reserve Junior Champion was taken by Miss Nastias Tequila owned by Gracie Kahn of Albany, OR.

Taurus Service, Inc offers a complete lineup of profitable genetics from all dairy breeds. See www.taurus-service.com for more information or contact Taurus at taurus@epix.net, call 570-833-5123 or mail to PO Box 164, Mehoopany, PA 18629.

Select Sires is excited to announce that 7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM) has exceeded 1 million units in sales. He is the eighth sire in Select Sires’ history to reach this milestone, following in the footsteps of 7HO8165 England-Ammon MILLION-ET (EX-92-GM), 7HO7466 Robthom MOSCOW-ET (EX-94-GM), 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET (EX-94-GM), 7HO5708 Fustead Emory BLITZ-ET (EX-95-GM), 7HO4213 Robthom INTEGRITY-ET (EX-96-GM), 7HO3707 Paradise-R Cleitus MATHIE*CV (EX-96-GM) and 7HO1236 Fisher-Place MANDINGO-Twin (EX-95-GM).

PLANET was bred by David Bishop of Doylestown, Pa., and is a Taboo son of Plushanski Amel Patty-ET (EX-93-3E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) who passed away shortly before PLANET’s 10th birthday this spring. In January 2008, when he graduated into the active lineup, PLANET was a unique outcross to the Holstein breed that sired big-league production, outstanding udders with moderate stature. Today he is among the breed’s best for Protein (+62) and sires medium-sized cows (-.03 Stature), making PLANET a popular customer satisfaction sire worldwide.

“This is a great accomplishment for a bull that started his career from such humble beginnings,” says Rick VerBeek, Holstein sire analyst. “PLANET was a bull that carried a little-known prefix when he graduated into active service. Today, everyone knows the Ensenada prefix and PLANET has become one of the most dominant genetic sources in the breed, certainly no longer considered different or outcross! One of the most impressive characteristics in PLANET’s breeding pattern is the influence you can see from his dam. The resemblance the PLANET daughters have to Patty is truly amazing! Extreme milk production and welded on mammary systems will be his legacy.”

PLANET continues to rank among the top 40 active A.I. sires for GTPI (+2103) and was a longtime leader for GTPI at 99 percent Reliability for Yield and Type. He remains the only active A.I. sire with over +2,000 Milk (+2,126) and +6.0 Productive Life (PL) (+6.2). A Calving Ease and FeedPRO® sire, PLANET is also available in gender SELECTed™ semen.

Few sires have impacted the Holstein breed like PLANET has and will for generations to come. PLANET has 21 proven sons on the active A.I. list including four that are part of the Select Sires lineup: 7HO10721 De-Su 521 BOOKEM-ET (VG-86) (the highest GTPI proven PLANET son in the industry at +2222), 7HO10606 De-Su OBSERVER-ET (EX-90-GM), 7HO10624 Ralma Planet TEMPO and 7HO10502 Touchdown Planet BACON-ET. With over 360 sons and grandsons designated as active A.I. genomic young sires, nearly 30 percent of the list can trace their lineage back to PLANET. His impact on the breed was recognized this fall when he was included on the updated “Impact Sires of the Holstein Breed” artwork.

“Surpassing one million units in sales speaks to the popularity of PLANET in the marketplace,” explains VerBeek. “His ability to stay healthy and produce over one million units is impressive in its own right, but his most impressive characteristic will be how he positively affected the profitability of dairy producers around the world through his daughters and sons.”

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

“As always, this orientation provides new employees with an opportunity to receive the latest information and training as well as visit our Plain City, Ohio office,” said Lyle Kruse, vice president of U.S. market development for Select Sires. “At the end of these conferences, our skilled staff departs with the latest information to better serve Select Sires’ customer-owners.”

The participants were presented with in-depth information about Select Sires’ programs including the Program for Genetic Advancement (PGA), Select Reproductive Solutions (SRS), Select Mating Service (SMS), StrataGEN®, Aggressive Reproductive Technologies (ART) and Program for Fertility Advancement (PFA). Instruction about the topics of reproductive solutions, fertility research, beef and dairy sire programs, cattle evaluation, herd management products and Select Sires’ gender SELECTed process was given as well as a detailed tour of the Select Sires headquarter facilities.

Orientation and sales training participants included: All West/Select Sires‹Chris Lindhout, Agassiz, British Columbia; COBA/Select Sires Inc.‹Justin Welter, Mansfield, Ohio; East Central/Select Sires‹Dennis Gunst, Hartford, Wis. and Ken Nehls, Horicon, Wis.; Minnesota/Select Sires Co-Op Inc.‹Grant Dalquist, Brainerd, Minn. and Mike Johnson, Melrose, Minn.; NorthStar Cooperative‹Matt Cracraft, Francis Creek, Wis., Kate DeVries, Grand Rapids, Mich., Allen Grile, Alto, Mich., Brian Muraski, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Gary Spaulding, Seymour, Wis. and Brian Thornton, Columbia City, Ind.; Prairie State/Select Sires‹Alan Dykshorn, Sioux Center, Iowa; Select Sires MidAmerica, Inc.‹Kevin Smart, Myton, Utah and Aaron Shiflett, Fort Collins, Colo.; Select Sire Power‹Chris Hess, Ephrata, Pa. and Alphie Stoltzfus, Gap, Pa.; Select Sires Canada‹Jon Martin, New Hamburg, Ontario; Select Sires Inc.‹Megan Buechner, Orient, Ohio and World Wide Sires‹Vasilis Souldouris, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America¹s best genetics at a reasonable price.

IRRESISTABLE offers something new and refreshing to UK dairy farmers, his sire stack is totally unique and reads; Maestro X Zelati X Hairy Breiz X Esqimau, free of the plethora of Goldwyn, Shottle, Planet, Bolton and Oman bloodlines available on the market today.

IRRESTISTABLE offers more than simply a unique sire stack, he is one of the greatest fat improvers available at +0.27% alongside an impressive + 0.12% protein, huge components mixed with good volumes of milk (+306kg’s).

With a colossal £225PLI IRRESISTABLE excels as a true profit improver. He is the highest ranking UK proven outcross sire (No Goldwyn, Shottle or O-man) on the market. If you are looking for a sire to increase profitability in then look no further than this remarkable sire.

Robust and easy to manage is the best way to describe progeny of IRRESISTABLE, they are smaller than average, carry condition and are incredibly mobile, which adds up to cows which are trouble free for farmers. This comes as little surprise to those who have had the pleasure of seeing the terrific British cow family that backs IRRESISTABLE, developed expertly by Jerry Palmer in his Sherdon herd.

Stephanie Whittaker comments, “ with the PLI rankings dominated by a small group of bloodlines, this unique outcross sire is the perfect solution for farmers wanting profitable, easily managed cows and to break away from Goldwyn, Shottle and Oman pedigrees. For IRRESISTABLE to be crowned Outcross sire of the Year is a huge achievement and has marked a great day for UK genetics and the Cornerstone breeding programme.”

 Flamborough Sherdon Daisy (Irresistable daughter)

Please contact your Genus ABS representative today to be part of this success story

Semex believes that Genetics for Life is about delivering the best possible product to our clients. By genomic testing over 5000 bulls in all breeds annually, Semex is ensuring that only the very best of the best enter our stud and are designated as a Genomax™ sire. These rigorous testing standards are certainly paying off as five of Holstein USA’s top 10 TPI™ Genomic Young Sires belonged to Semex following the August 2013 genetic evaluation.

At Semex, we are very proud of these bulls we call Genomax sires,” says Pierre Laliberté, Semex Senior Vice President, Genetics & Research. “They are the result of intense selection and offer tremendous potential for GTPI, GLPI, Type, Net Merit $, Calving Ease and many other traits breeders are interested in. While some bulls will be identified early as sires of the next generation, others are being used as groups in commercial environments, spreading the risk of lower reliability, while offering the herd new and top genetics.”

Now, Semex is pleased to announce that the following new Genomax sires are available to be put to work in herds today, maximizing genetic gain and profitability:

• 0200HO02935 Claynook Deductive
  • Numero Uno x VG-87-USA Planet x VG-88-USA DOM Elegant
  • Immunity+™ and HealthSmart™
  • +2455 GTPI, +888 NM$, +7.2 PL, 2.61 SCS, +2.64 PTAT and 6.5% CE
• 0200HO03906 Velthuis B Ahead
  • Supersonic x VG-87-CAN Man-O-Man x VG-87-CAN 3* Goldwyn x EX-92 GMD DOM Atlee
  • HealthSmart and Robot Ready™
  • +2421 GTPI, +770 NM$, +3.4 PL, 2.81 SCS, +3.06 PTAT, +107 PTAF
• 0200HO03911 Comestar Supersede
  • Supersonic x VG-87-CAN Man-O-Man x VG-88-CAN Lautama Goldwyn
  • Immunity+, HealthSmart and Robot Ready
  • +2381 GTPI, +790 NM$, +6.2 PL, 2.78 SCS, +2.56 PTAT and +2.0 DPR
• 0200HO03927 Swissbec Brekem*RC
  • Bookem x VG-86-CAN Man-O-Man x VG-87-CAN Mr Burns
  • Immunity+, HealthSmart, Robot Ready and Red & White™
  • +2270 GTPI, +651 NM$, +4.6 PL, 2.83 SCS and +2.66 PTAT

For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life or the industry leading Genomax sires visitwww.semex.com.

Semex’s Braedale Goldwyn once again showed his prowess on the coloured shavings, siring nearly 25% of the entire show, with daughters capturing nearly every award possible.

Capturing the Premier Sire Banner for a record sixth consecutive year, (dating back to 2008 when he was one of the youngest and highest ranking TPI sires to ever win the award), Goldwyn daughters were certainly some of the most anticipated to enter the ring again this year, with many returning year after year.

With statistics nearly matching previous years, 47 Goldwyn daughters placed in the top 10 of their classes, 25 in the top five and eight placing first. Once again, for the third year in a row, a Goldwyn daughter was named Supreme Champion Female. Bonaccueil Maya Goldwyn EX-95-2E-CAN owned by Ty-D Holsteins, Drolet & Fils, Ferme Jacobs, A. & R. Boulet Inc of Cap-Sante, QC placed 1st in her Mature Cow Class, was named Champion Bred & Owned, Senior Champion, Grand Champion and later that day Supreme Champion of the entire show.

Other Goldwyn winnings include:

• 1st Winter Calf: Jacobs Goldwyn Lenny
• 1st Fall Calf: Petitclerc Gold Saltalamacchia
• 1st Jr 2 Yr Old: Belfast Goldwyn Lasenza
• HM Inter Champ & 1st Jr 3 Yr Old: Ehrhardt Gold Beauty
• Inter Champion & 1st Sr 3 Yr Old: Butz-Butler Gold Barbara
• 1st 4 Yr Old, Res Sr & Res Grand Champ: Cookview Goldwyn Monique
• 1st 5 Yr Old: Rosedale Lexington
• WDE Supreme Champion, Holstein Grand & Sr Champion & 1st Aged Cow: Bonaccueil Maya Goldwyn
• Aged Cow Class: Nine Goldwyns shown
• Supreme, Grand & Intermediate Champion of the Jr. Holstein Show, Whitaker-KK Goldie Rose

Semex’s lineup of Show Time™ sires is much more than just Goldwyn, with many other stud code 200 sires rising to the top with impressive results:

International Holstein Show:

• 204 head or nearly 50% of the show were 200HO daughters
• 25 different Semex sires were represented
• 93 daughters placed in the top 10 of their classes
• 14 class winners from the first to the last classes of the day by six different Semex sires:
• Goldwyn (8): see above
• 0200HO03607 Allyndale-I Attic (2): 1st Summer Yrlg (Quad-R Attic Malibu), 1st Sr 2 Yr Old (Charwill Attic Marcy)
• 0200HO05592 Crackholm Fever (1): 1st Winter Yrlg (Welsh-Edge Fever Huggable)
• 0200HO03501 Gillette Windbrook (1): 1st Spring Calf (Godin Bliss Windbrook)
• 0200HO05549 Regancrest Reginald (1): 1st Fall Yrlg and Res. Jr. Champion (Fanico Reginald Marty)
• 0200HO02137 Pine-Tree Sid (1): 1st Milking Yrg (Extondale Sid Iams)

International Jersey Show:

• Semex sired four class winners sired by 0200JE00136 Bridon Excitation (3) and 0200JE00430 Lencrest On Time (1)
• Eight Semex sires were represented with top 10 placing daughters including:
  • Select Scott Minister (8) including Honourable Mention Senior Champion (Pine Haven
    SSM Marmie)
  • 0200JE00131 Bridon Remake Comerica (5)
  • 0200JE00136 Bridon Excitation (5) including Intermediate and Grand Champion (Page-
    Crest Excitation Karlie) Senior and Reserve Grand Champion (Stoney Point Excitation
    Jamie) and Hon. Mention Intermediate champion (Marynole Excite Rosie)
  • 0200JE00430 Lencrest On Time (3) including the World Dairy Expo International Jersey Futurity Winner and Overall International Futurity Champion (Arethusa On Time Vogue)

International Ayrshire Show:

• Semex sired eight class winners by:
  • 0200AY00950 Palmyra Tri-Star Reality (4) including the Junior Champion (Stein-Bush
    Reality Dazzle)
  • 0200AY00580 Des Chamois Poker (1)
  • Bonnie Brae Ambush (1)
  • 0200AY00696 Forever Schoon Presley (1)
  • Labrie Wilton (1)

With top placings in all classes from a variety of sires offering both profitability and longevity, Semex and the code 200 sires really are Genetics for Life.

For complete show coverage and videos visit: http://www.worlddairyexpo.com

Known as the ‘Center of the Dairy Universe,’ World Dairy Expo (WDE) 2013 will certainly go down in the record books as one of the very best ever at Semex.

With thousands of people visiting with us in order to find out more about our products, programs and services, the Semex Tent and our booth in the exhibition hall were the places to be at WDE. Both locations showcased Semex’s key products and services including: Immunity+™ (a Top 10 Winner of the 2013 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Awards); Semex Works™ (an easy, interactive, flexible program that will keep dairies a step ahead); Semex ai24™ (the SCR-HR® tag was a Top 10 Winner of the 2013 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Awards); and daughters of our Premier™ program graduates. The Premier program is the fastest growing in the US and the display included daughters by:

• 0200HO09901 CLAYTON-CREST ACE: HealthSmart™ sire graduating in December 2013
• 0200HO05929 GEN-I-BEQ BRAWLER: HealthSmart™ sire
• 0200HO03648 DOMICOLE CHELIOS: Repromax, Calving Ease and Show Time sire
• 0200HO05592 CRACKHOLM FEVER: Repromax™, HealthSmart, Robot Ready™ and Show Time™ sire
• 0200HO00528 SILDAHL JETT AIR: HealthSmart and Calving Ease sire
• 0200HO05549 REGANCREST REGINALD: Repromax, Calving Ease™, Robot Ready and Show Time sire

“Our guests and visitors were extremely impressed with the time they spent with us at World Dairy Expo,” says Paul Krueger, Semex Director, Sales & Business Development, USA. “Semex and Genetics for Life™ is about genetic solutions, our commitment to research & development, developing long-lasting, profitable herds and lifelong partnerships. Dairymen saw that Semex’s programs and services are their best option when it comes to building long-lasting, healthy and profitable herds. Our team was excited to share our story with these folks and looks forward to visiting with them more in the future.”

For more information on any of Semex’s brands or the products, programs and services featured at World Dairy Expo visit: www.semex.com.

Cogent Breeding Ltd, the beef and dairy genetics specialists and global leader in sexed semen technology, has today confirmed that it has bought Cogent Supershot, the Number One genomic bull for Net Merit US$1,009. This high calibre bull has a GTPI of 2577, GLPI of 3537, GPFT of 3275 and his UK PLI is £258. Supershot was bred by the Eurogenes-members de Volmer Holsteins & Diamond Genetics.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND EARLY RESERVATIONS OF THIS NEW WORLD CLASS BULL

Cherrycrest Colt Bambi Red *P Dam to Calbrett Bennett *RC *PP

Calbrett BENNETT *RC *PP is a name to remember.  He is the new #1 HOMOZYGOUS POLLED bull in the breed with GTPI +2320! Bennett is still available and is owned by Cormdale Genetics from Canada and Diamond Genetics from the Netherlands. Bennett *RC PP goes back to the world famous brood cow Regancrest-PR Barbie EX-92-USA! This part of the family has a well known name in Europe as well, Bennett’s mother is the full sister to RZH Brescia Red *P which sold for € 55.000 in the Holland Masters Sale ’12 and was the Jr. Champion at the Summershow in Beilen 2013.

During their Innovation Awards ceremony last night at World Dairy Expo, Dairy Herd Management announced that Semex’s Immunity+™ was named a Top 10 Innovative Product of the Year.

“Immunity genetics is an emerging technology that provides dairymen with an effective means to improve the health of their dairy cattle with each generation,” says Jay Shannon, Semex Global Dairy Solutions Manager. “At Semex, we’re extremely excited to have acquired this technology for our customers, who can now utilize Immunity+ sires that combine high overall genetic merit in a package with the added benefit of higher immunity.”

Using a patented technology, Semex is now able to measure an animal’s immune response and their ability to combat infection and disease. These animals are considered High Immune Responders (HIR) and Semex’s HIR sires are known as Immunity+ bulls.

By using this information in breeding decisions, dairymen can ask how well a bull’s daughters respond to infection instead of how often they get diseases like mastitis. This is important because traditional health-related genetic traits such as Productive Life, Somatic Cell Score and Daughter Pregnancy Rate are result-oriented measurements, with an indirect association to health. Even more restrictive, these traits are less than 10% heritable. By contrast, immune response is highly heritable at 25%, making genetic gain in health traits much easier.

To find out more about Immunity+ or any of Semex’s suite of solutions, stop by Semex at World Dairy Expo at the Semex Tent or in the Exhibition Hall at booth #2608-2709 or by visiting www.semex.com

Ammon-Peachey SHAUNA; Dam to MISS AMERICA and SARGEANT

Ammon-Peachey SHAUNA : Dam to MISS AMERICA & SARGEANT

Select Sires’ Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™) is focused on constant improvement in semen quality and fertility through innovations and research. A recent research project, conducted through the PFA, found that a new enhancement to the gender SELECTed™ semen process has made a significant improvement in conception rates observed in the field.

The sex sorting procedure subjects sperm to considerable stress, which does not occur during conventional semen processing, contributing significantly to sexed semen having lower conception rates than the rate achieved with conventional semen. This was confirmed in a Select Sires research trial in 2005. Over the years, collaborative research efforts between Sexing Technologies and Select Sires have focused on improving sperm survival throughout the process of sex sorting including a new process developed by Sexing Technologies and researched through PFA.

The results of nearly 7,000 inseminations on Holstein heifers across 41 PFA herds were analyzed to find a 4.5 percent rise in actual conception rate compared to the previous procedure. This conception rate increase ranged from 1.4 to 7.9 percent among all sires in the study. This represents one more incremental step on the road toward sexed semen conception rates that are equal to that of conventional semen. Select Sires began using this process early in the spring for all commercially marketed gender SELECTed semen.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

Known as the ‘Center of the Dairy Universe,’ World Dairy Expo (WDE) is the international dairy meeting place, and this year Semex is inviting dairymen to ‘Get To Know Us Better’ as we introduce and feature the following key products and services designed to increase dairy profitability:

• Semex ai24™: A whole herd management solution with both rumination monitoring and heat detection capabilities
• Immunity+™: A nominee for the 2013 Dairy Herd Management’s Innovation Award, Semex’s patented Immunity+ sires have a naturally high immune response and will improve the health of the next generation
• SemexWorks™: Visitors can step up to our interactive station and use a simple touch, step-by-step process to define their own genetic strategy
• Semex Premier™ Daughters: This year we’re featuring daughters from our Premier

Young Sire Sampling Program including:

• 0200HO09901 Clayton-Crest Ace: HealthSmart™ sire graduating in December 2013
• 0200HO00546 De-Su Bowman: HealthSmart and Calving Ease™ sire
• 0200HO05929 Gen-I-Beq Brawler: HealthSmart and Robot Ready™ sire
• 0200HO03648 Domicole Chelios: Repromax™, Calving Ease™ and Show Time™ sire
• 0200HO00528 Sildahl Jett Air: HealthSmart and Calving Ease sire
• 0200HO09225 Ladys-Manor Shane“We’re extremely excited to meet with our customers and friends from coast to coast and around the world again this year at World Dairy Expo,” comments Paul Krueger, Semex Business Unit Development Manager, USA. “Semex is a company on the move and our lineup, products and services are all designed to be the best options for dairymen looking to increase their profitability, and for those looking to partner with a company offering valuable reproductive solutions. If you’re coming to World Dairy Expo, Semex should be on your ‘must do’ list!”Semex is a proud, three star sponsor of WDE and looks forward to visiting with dairymen at their Semex Tent and also in the Exhibition Hall at booth EH 2608-2709.

  If you can’t be with us at this year’s World Dairy Expo, we encourage you to follow Semex on Facebook, Twitter, our YouTube Channel and now Instagram and search #semextent for all the latest news from Semex at the show!

The unique, sequential breeding system, StrataGEN®, now has an online resource available for the dairy industry to learn more about this exciting breeding program.

StrataGEN development has been under construction for several years, with careful mating and sorting of sires specifically designed to fit the needs of the program. In April 2012 the program was released to combat the rising cost of inbreeding in the dairy industry. StrataGEN uses highly reliable genomic inbreeding data to sort bulls in the Select Sires’ lineup, both proven and genomic young sires, into one of five distinctive genetic lines. These color-coded lines simplify the implementation of StrataGEN on any operation. After consulting with a Select Sires StrataGEN specialist, each herd’s genetic base is identified and a three to five-line rotation is developed based on long-term herd goals and the current inbreeding level of the herd. This one-of-a-kind system can control inbreeding without individual cow matings, making implementation easy.

The StrataGEN online resource is complete with an inbreeding calculator where a dairy producer can determine exactly what inbreeding is costing them. It also includes information about the research behind the program as well as contact information for local StrataGEN specialists. Click here to learn more about StrataGEN:http://www.selectsires.com/programs/StrataGEN.html

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

Ten technicians from five member cooperatives were part of the 2013 National Technician Conference at Select Sires Inc. headquarters in Plain City, Ohio.

Ten professional technicians from across the U.S. participated in the annual Technician Conference at Select Sires’ headquarters in Plain City, Ohio. Employees from five member cooperatives were present for the two-day event, where they received advanced education in reproduction and service to better serve Select Sires’ customer-owners.

“Select Sires is committed to offering the best reproductive service team in the industry, and that begins with our technicians,” stated Dr. Ray Nebel, vice president of technical service programs. “These technicians are part of the largest field service team in the industry and work hard every day to create pregnancies. This conference is an excellent time to provide them with advanced training and give them the opportunity to share ideas with their colleagues.”

The participants received in-depth information about estrus synchronization, factors affecting conception, heat detection, Select R^ePRO Analysis™, fertility research, dairy sire programs, reproductive troubleshooting, Select Sires’ gender SELECTed™ process, Select Detect™ and Heatime^®, the two most technologically advanced activity and health monitoring systems available today.

Technician training participants included: All West/Select Sires—Harry Anderson, Modesto, Calif. and Randy Van Wieringen, Sunnyside, Wash.; East Central/Select Sires—Jeremy Konen, Mazomanie, Wis. and Shannon Sauer, Waterloo, Wis.; NorthStar Cooperative—Tyler Freund, Arpin, Wis., Garret Carnahan, Hilbert, Wis., Jared Krull, Shawano, Wis. and Chris McTaggart, Sterling, Mich.; Prairie State/Select Sires—Kyle Peters, Sioux Center, Iowa and Select Sires MidAmerica—Donald Mininger, Glasgow, Ky.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

# # #

™Select R^ePRO Analysis, gender SELECTed and Select Detect are trademarks of Select Sires Inc. ^®Heatime is a registered trademark of SCR Dairy Inc.

In August, nine employees and interns at Genex Cooperative, Inc. completed an intensive two-week training program held at the headquarters in Shawano, Wis.

Graduates of the training program include: Regional Account Specialist Peter Burtch, Barnard, Vt.; Territory Sales Manager Lena Freeman, Maryville, Tenn.; Service Specialist Steven Houck, Lowville, N.Y.; part-time Technician Taylor Neitzel, Medford, Wis.; and Tech Specialist Charles O’Donnell, Castile, N.Y.

Also completing program was Sire Production Intern Emma Offenburger from Chanton, Iowa, and Genesis Cooperative Herd Interns: Brooke Bartz, Marion, Wis.; Kanika Haley, Everett, Wash.; and Korissa Krysta, Mira Loma, Calif.

During the program, trainees increased their knowledge of cattle reproductive anatomy and physiology, heat detection, synchronization, heat detection, semen handling, artificial insemination, and dairy and beef genetics. The program emphasized qualifications needed for the employees to provide cattle reproductive services which enhance the profit levels of Genex members and customers

Semex is pleased to announce that David Ertl has joined the Semex Jersey Team as the US Jersey Sire Analyst effective Monday, September 30, 2013. In this role, David will report directly to the Jersey Program Manager, and will be responsible for executing Semex’s Jersey sire selection and acquisition strategy in the US. This newly created position supports Semex’s growing Jersey Genomax™ program, ensuring Semex continues to obtain the breed’s best genetics. Additionally, David will be working directly with the Semex Team from coast to coast, supporting sales and providing Jersey knowledge and genetic expertise.

David was born and raised in Ohio, attending The Ohio State University where he obtained a bachelor of animal science degree with a minor in agricultural business. Following graduation, David was a herdsman at a central Ohio commercial dairy, providing cow-side diagnostics and treatment as well as whole herd and employee management. His own herd, Ertl Jerseys, has ranked in the top 25% in the nation for JPI, and has had numerous bulls enter stud including 0200JE00180 Ertl Mantra, a top 20 G-code bull that is part of Semex’s Genomax and Immunity+™ lineups. Additionally, David was awarded the 2011 Young Jersey Breeder Award from the American Jersey Cattle Association. Most recently, David worked for Sexing Technologies as Director of Nutrient Management at their Ohio Heifer Center.

“We could not be more excited to add David to our Jersey Team,” says Russell Gammon, Semex Jersey Program Manager. “With his practical knowledge of modern dairy farming, a world of energy and drive, and an ocean-deep knowledge of the Jersey breed, David is the perfect choice for this position! Semex’s Jersey program is expanding year after year and now with David on board, we look forward to even greater successes and accomplishments.” David, his wife Beth and three children reside in Edison, Ohio.

Select Sires added four recent legends to their “Impact Sires of the Breed” artwork, 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET (EX-94-GM), 7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM), 7HO7872 KHW Kite ADVENT-RED-ET (EX-94) and 7HO7004 Erbacres DAMION (EX-96). These sires have made a far-reaching impact on not only Select Sires, but the Holstein breed around the world.

First introduced in 2007, the “Impact Sires of the Breed” artwork originally featured 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET (EX-90-GM), 7HO3948 MJR Blackstar EMORY-ET (EX-97-GM), 7HO2236 Emprise Bell ELTON (EX-95), 7HO5375 Mara-Thon BW MARSHALL-ET (VG-86-GM), 7HO5708 Fustead Emory BLITZ-ET (EX-95-GM), 7HO1897 To-Mar BLACKSTAR-ET (EX-93-GM), 7HO980 Walkway Chief MARK (VG-87-GM), 7HO477 GLENDELL Arlinda Chief (EX-93-GM), 7HO543 Carlin-M Ivanhoe BELL (EX-93-GM) and 7HO58 Round Oak Rag Apple ELEVATION (EX-96-GM). Last week, at Select Sires’ National Sales Conference, the updated print was revealed to employees and guests.

“This artwork was developed to recognize the many Select Sires bulls that have made a lasting impact in the Holstein breed, leaving a legacy of great sons and grandsons, as well as some of the breed’s greatest cows and cow families,” said Charlie Will, manager of the Holstein sire program for Select Sires. “We added O MAN, PLANET, ADVENT-RED and DAMION to the print because of their current impact on the Holstein breed. O MAN has been the breed’s fitness leader. PLANET has been able to moderate stature and is a high production, outcross sire. ADVENT-RED continues to be a dominant tanbark Red and White sire while DAMION was, for a long time, the highest Type sire at 99% Reliabilty setting the bar to which other type bulls are compared.”

The Select Sires “Impact Sires of the Breed” artwork is available as a giclée (digital print used as fine art) or a paper print in two different sizes. To download an order form, go to www.selectsires.com or contact Select Sires Inc. at (614)-873-4683. For any questions about ordering a print, contact Leslie Maurice at (614)-733-3456 or lmaurice@selectsires.com.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

Amy Schaufelberger has joined the ABS Global, Inc. team as a cornerstone specialist for the Midwest United States.

“Amy’s extensive industry background and practical experience make her an incredible asset to the cornerstone team,” stated Josey Morris, ABS progeny promotions supervisor. “We look forward to her expertise in this role to work with ABS customers.”

A 2012 graduate of the University of Illinois, Schaufelberger has held a variety of roles in the dairy industry, including working on her family’s dairy and grain operation in Greenville, IL.

As a cornerstone specialist, Schaufelberger will be responsible for assisting field staff with education and promotion of developing new herds, as well as working with staff to evaluate and maintain data in herds already participating in the ABS Cornerstone® program. She will also be responsible for on-farm evaluation, coordinating and assisting with picturing of ABS-sired progeny and arranging and conducting ABS daughter and herd tours. Schaufelberger will be based at the ABS corporate office in DeForest, WI and will work with herds throughout the Midwest.

Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products. Marketing in more than 80 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is a division of Genus plc.

Accelerated Genetics is excited to host its 20th Annual Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging contest, this Sunday, September 15 beginning at 9 a.m. Collegiate dairy cattle judging teams from across the country will come together at the Vernon County Fairgrounds in Viroqua, Wis., to compete in what has become a core contest in collegiate judging programs.

Modeling other national contests, the competition consists of ten placings classes of cattle and five oral reasons classes. After placing classes in the morning, contestants are served lunch and then oral reasons begin. The top teams and individuals are recognized at a banquet beginning at 5 p.m.

A key to the contest’s success is the youth leadsperson’s who exhibit the classes on contest day. Each year youth from Vernon County make the commitment to wake up early on Sunday and walk into the show ring once more after a busy week at the fair. In 2001, the David Larson Memorial Showmanship Award was created in honor of an Accelerated Genetics employee and key member of the dairy cattle judging contest committee. This special showmanship award and others are presented to youth following the placing portion of the contest.

“Not only are youth judged on how they show in the ring, but also how they display their leadership and teamwork throughout the day. The winner of the David Larson Memorial Showmanship award is always a youth who exemplifies all these qualities,” explained Rick Williams, Accelerated Genetics Semen Warehouse and Distribution Manager who is responsible for coordinating youth leadspeople.

This contest would not be possible without the tremendous support of the following contest sponsors: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Village Market, Boehringer-Ingelhiem, Swiss Valley Farms, Co., The State Bank of Viroqua, The Baraboo National Bank, Sci-Tech Premixes, Star Blends, Milk Products, Inc., Connie Schmelzer, Merial, Chart Industries, Inc., Star Blends, Hampel Corporation, Supreme Awards, Taylor-Wharton Cryogenics, Pfizer Animal Health, American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Association, American Milking Shorthorn Society, Holstein Association USA, Church of Christ, Vernon County Agricultural Society, Wisconsin Brown Swiss Canton 3, and the James W. Crowley Fund. The tremendous support supplied by these sponsors, Accelerated Genetics employees, and the Vernon County Junior and Open show exhibitors all play a key role in ensuring the contest runs smoothly each year.

“We are honored to be able to support and invest in our youth and young adults by providing an educational avenue for developing skills in cattle judging, communication, and teamwork,” explained Accelerated Genetics President and CEO, Joel Groskreutz. “The experience they gain from this contest will be key in their development as future dairy industry and community leaders. We are very proud to continue this valuable learning tradition.”

Accelerated Genetics is a global provider of bovine genetics and research, reproductive services, and solution-based animal health products. With a focus on People, Products and Pride, the Accelerated Genetics vision is to be the producer’s trusted first choice.

7HO10606 De-Su OBSERVER-ET (EX-90-GM), 7HO10356 De-Su WATSON (EX-90-GM), 7HO10297 Foxberry Bax MCNUGGETS-ET (GM) and 7HO8747 End-Road O-Man BRONCO-ET (EX-93-GM) were named Gold Medal Sires by Holstein Association USA, following the August 2013 sire summaries, in recognition of their officially tested and classified offspring’s superior type and production.

To qualify for this honor, bulls must meet a specified type level for Total Performance IndexSM (TPISM), have a minimum Reliability of 90 percent for their Fat and Type genetic evaluations and be free of all recognized genetic defects. This award is only given to about 25 Holstein sires each year, putting these four sires in elite company.

OBSERVER ranks high for Productive Life (PL) (+5.5), Net Merit (NM$) (+630), Cheese Merit (CM$) (+643), Fluid Merit (FM$) (+620) and GTPI (+2144). His daughters are moderate in stature with exceptional udders (+3.02 Udder Composite). This HealthMark™ and FeedPRO® sire is a perfect fit for your heifer breeding program with a low Calving Ease score (6.1% DBH).

WATSON hails from the same family as OBSERVER and transmits several of the same traits. With high NM$ (+611), CM$ (+723) and GTPI (+2109), WATSON sires offspring that are the total package. His daughters produce milk that is high for components (+.17% Fat, +.08% Protein) and low in Somatic Cell Score (SCS) (2.56). With high semen fertility (+2.6 Sire Conception Rate) he has earned the Superior Settler™ designation. WATSON is a Calving Ease (6.8% DBH) and FeedPRO sire that is available in gender SELECTed™ semen.

MCNUGGETS is also siring the profit-making kind with outstanding NM$ (+660), CM$ (+624), FM$ (+672) and GTPI (+2105). His exceptional health and fitness traits (2.48 SCS, +6.6 PL, +0.8 Daughter Pregnancy Rate) earn him the HealthMark designation. As a Superior Settler, he is a perfect choice when high fertility is the goal for your breeding program.

Although no longer a member of Select Sires’ active lineup, BRONCO’s influence can still be seen today. His maternal brother, 7HO10277 End-Road Bolton BRANCH-ET (EX-94) was an August 2013 graduate. A member of the same graduating class, 7HO10502 Touchdown Planet BACON-ET is a 7HO8081 Ensenada Taboo PLANET-ET (EX-90-GM) son of BRONCO’s maternal sister.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of nine farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

Taurus Service, Inc, your Source for Profitable Genetics is proud to announce the release of two sons of the world renown Pine-Tree Martha Sheen-ET VG-86. This breed leading Dam of Merit all ready has the Taurus sire of outstanding type, 76HO0651 Ammon-Peachey MITCH at +2.86 PTAT, to her credit as well as being the dam of  Ammon-Peachey Shauna-ET VG-87 head of the tremendous cow family at Seagull-Bay that has produced Supersire and Headliner. New to the Taurus lineup are 76HO0691 Ammon-Peachey MILK DUD sired by RMW Armitage and the Misty Springs Supersonic son 76HO0692 Ammon-Peachey STOCKTON. 76HO0691 MILK DUD offers outstanding components with a +.21% fat and +.09% protein combined with a low 2.48 SCS. Boasting a +2.58 FLC, MILK DUD’s genomics indicate he will be that rare bull that sires tall, sharp, clean, open ribbed daughters with style without sacrificing correct feet and legs. 76HO0692 STOCKTON also promises solid components with a +.12% fat and +.07% protein. With a type proof indicating very balanced cattle with plenty of strength and width, STOCKTON looks to make fertile, long lasting daughters that will compete in any management system. Both with an aAa code of 342156, 76HO0691 Ammon-Peachey MILK DUD  and 76HO0692 Ammon-Peachey STOCKTON are available through your Taurus Service representative or by contacting the Taurus office.

The August 2013 USDA calculations for SCR (Semen Conception Rates) scored the IPS (International Holstein Sires) sires at #1 and #2 on the National Ranking.  “We are delighted that IPS had the top two Holstein bulls for SCR.  IPS has always strived to satisfy dairyman requirements of high semen conception.  Maintaining astute husbandry and quality semen processing techniques along with our standard of thirty million sperm count per unit of semen are contributing factors in achieving these results,” explained Ron Sersland, President and CEO of IPS.

The #1 proven SCR bull in the breed is 99HO6145 Barry at +8.1 on more than 3,700 inseminations with 93% reliability.  It is important to note that Semen Conception Ratings are calculated from the previous 18 months inseminations.  Barry was among the top three bulls of the breed two years ago at +5.0.  The bull was therefore promoted and used as a conception bull and yet his rating increased by three points.  Barry excels in udder composite at +1.95 along with a foot and leg rating of +1.37.  A solid fitness bull, Barry shows +1.8 productive life and 2.69 for somatic cell score.  He is also a calving ease bull, noted at 6.5%.  This conception specialist descends from six generations of Very Good or Excellent dams.

An exciting genomic young sire for SCS at +6.8, 99HO7070 Jehoshaphat, is ranked #2 in the Holstein breed.  At 1,100 inseminations, Jehoshaphat’s rating increased from previous stats while being used for his well-known conception.   At +2035 GTPI, Jehoshaphat is sired by Planet while his dam is an Excellent classified daughter of Shottle.  With a laudable milk proof at +1,696, Jehoshaphat has a type rating of +2.14 and udder composite score just under +2.00.  And, his productive life mark is +3.2 along with a 6.7% calving ease.

IPS is gratified in having two additional top ranked and heavily used bulls priced in the upper echelon with superior SCR.  First is 6HO1126 Rockwell at +2.2.  The second bull is 91HO4607 Cupid at +3.4.  Just behind Cupid is a new addition to the IPS proven sire lineup, 566HO1199 Cambridge with a +2.6 rating.  Cambridge’s maternal brother, 566HO0480 Chicago, is a Top 100 bull at #69 and rated a solid +1.4 SCR.  Altogether, IPS has EIGHT bulls over +2.0 SCR.  Several of the high ranked IPS bulls for SCR are priced for mating genomic leading females and/or flushing purposes and yet they accelerate for conception.

The IPS trendsetting sires for semen conception rate are available worldwide through a growing network of independent distributors and company employees.  Located in Rock Springs, Wisconsin – U.S.A., you may learn more about IPS through their website, www.ipssires.com or by calling toll free: 1.800.542.7593