Powerhouse just picked up +119 TPI while Garza dumped −125 under the protein flip — if those two are in your tank, this run just changed your semen budget math.
Executive Summary: TPI 2026’s 24P:14F protein flip just moved real money: Powerhouse gains +119 TPI, Garza drops −125, and every high‑fat sire in your tank needs a second look. All 10 genomic USA Holstein TPI leaders in April 2026 are new names and squeezed into a 37‑point band, so chasing “#1” is now a high‑volatility hobby, not a plan. On the proven side, Sheepster still leads at +3480 TPI after losing 92 points, while Captain, Zuri, and Garza reshuffle as the formula rewards protein‑heavy profiles. Woodford (+3565 TPI, +1296 NM$) and Jitters/Sabotage‑type genomics line up TPI and NM$ so closely that your “index vs profit” debate is basically over for top heifers. R&W breeders get their own shake‑up: Okafor‑Red and Ocean‑Red hold near 3200 GTPI, while RC/RW PTAT bulls like Crypto PP at +2.82 PTAT force you to choose between show udders and milk cheque. The article walks through how to re‑tier matings by herd type (high‑input, grazing, type/show, R&W), how to spot Captain/Trooper/Alta line stacking, and which bulls to push or park for the next 30 days.
The hook for April 2026 is the TPI 2026 formula flip: more weight on protein, less on fat, which quietly reshuffled both genomic and daughter-proven lists and set up the kind of bulls that now rise to the top in the Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 run. The biggest structural change is that PTA Protein now carries 24% of TPI while PTA Fat drops to 14%, so a bull with the same total CFP but more of it in protein pounds now scores materially higher TPI than a more fat‑heavy counterpart. When you run the December 2025 Holstein USA TPI proofs through that new 24P:14F production slice, you immediately see “formula winners” and “formula losers” before a single new daughter is added.
In this April 2026 USA run, that protein‑first logic shows up very clearly: genomic bulls like Aurora Gs Woodford‑ETare almost purpose‑built for TPI 2026, and on the proven side, bulls such as Peak Powerhouse‑ET gain roughly +119 TPI going from +3329 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, December 2025) to +3448 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026). At the same time, fat‑leaning sires like SDG Cap Garza‑ET lose relative ground despite still being excellent cowside options.
What Changed at the Top?
Genomic TPI leaders – April 2026
On the genomic side, the top 10 Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 bulls are all new faces compared with the December 2025 genomic top 10, reflecting both the formula change and the usual churn of new young sires.
Genomic TPI top 10 – Holstein USA TPI, April 2026
| Rank (TPI) | Bull (NAAB) | TPI Apr 2026 | NM$ Apr 2026 | PTA Milk | PTA Fat | PTA Pro | PTAT | PL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aurora Gs Woodford-ET (551HO06782) | +3565 | +1296 | +1498 | +142 | +78 | +0.37 | +4.5 |
| 2 | Beyond Mican Hagrid-ET (7HO18312) | +3562 | +984 | +1351 | +128 | +66 | +2.24 | +3.7 |
| 3 | S-S-I Richard Chichester-ET (7HO18102) | +3560 | +1059 | +1228 | +112 | +63 | +1.54 | +5.8 |
| 4 | Genosource Jitters-ET (551HO07177) | +3552 | +1127 | +1637 | +123 | +68 | +0.74 | +4.2 |
| 5 | Ocd Whoops Sabotage-ET (796HO10329) | +3551 | +1076 | +1274 | +119 | +64 | +1.49 | +4.6 |
| 6 | S-S-I Kingdom Formal-ET (7HO18241) | +3548 | +1139 | +528 | +129 | +54 | +0.91 | +5.4 |
| 7 | S-S-I Stagger Baelum-ET (14HO18123) | +3547 | +1124 | +897 | +122 | +62 | +0.64 | +5.7 |
| 8 | Siemers Ssi Bridgerton-ET (250HO18331) | +3539 | +1071 | +1515 | +110 | +71 | +0.96 | +3.4 |
| 9 | Pen-Col Gs 86807-ET (551HO06686) | +3529 | +1119 | +1853 | +129 | +73 | +1.23 | +3.8 |
| 10 | Welcome Gustavsson-ET (200HO13730) | +3528 | +997 | +848 | +115 | +54 | +1.61 | +5.6 |
The band from Woodford at +3565 down to Gustavsson at +3528 is extremely tight – just 37 TPI points separate #1 from #10 – and all ten are new entrants versus the December 2025 genomic top 10. That tells you two things:
- The shape of the ideal genomic sire under TPI 2026 is clear (high milk, strong protein, good health, functional type), but
- The names at the very top are volatile and will rotate as more calves and proofs arrive.
Proven TPI leaders – December 2025 vs April 2026
On the daughter‑proven side, the story is different: it’s movement, not churn. The top proven bulls are the same characters, but they reshuffle based on the formula change and the addition of fresh daughters.
Daughter‑proven TPI top 10 – Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 vs December 2025
| Rank Apr 2026 | Bull (NAAB) | TPI Apr 2026 | TPI Dec 2025 | Δ TPI | Verdict | PTA Milk | PTA Fat | PTA Pro | PTAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OCD Trooper Sheepster-ET (7HO16276) | +3480 | +3572 | !DROP −92 | Formula loser | +1359 | +133 | +67 | +0.86 |
| 2 | Peak Powerhouse-ET (1HO16089) | +3448 | +3329 | !HIGH +119 | Formula winner | +1937 | +113 | +92 | +0.09 |
| 3 | SDG-PH Delux Dominance-ET (551HO04795) | +3437 | +3458 | −21 | Slight loser | +1303 | +135 | +64 | +0.07 |
| 4 | La-Ca-De-Le T Isaac 8731-ET (7HO15966) | +3396 | +3390 | +6 | Neutral | +1336 | +111 | +62 | +2.07 |
| 5 | Peak Momento-ET (1HO16144) | +3360 | +3334 | +26 | Formula winner | +1223 | +113 | +53 | +0.40 |
| 6 | Genosource Captain-ET (551HO04119) | +3356 | +3428 | !DROP −72 | Formula loser | +1789 | +117 | +64 | +0.33 |
| 7 | Terra-Calroy Zuri-ET (97HO42585) | +3355 | +3375 | −20 | Slight loser | +854 | +104 | +52 | +1.81 |
| 8 | SDG Cap Garza-ET (551HO04474) | +3339 | +3464 | !DROP −125 | !RISK Formula loser | +1369 | +140 | +50 | +0.03 |
| 9 | Denovo 3946 Elgin-ET (29HO20623) | +3337 | Outside top 10 | !HIGH New entry | Formula winner | +2635 | +100 | +68 | +0.45 |
| 10 | Welcome Sensei-ET (200HO12140) | +3333 | Outside top 10 | !HIGH New entry | Formula winner | +1627 | +97 | +73 | +0.87 |
Sheepster loses 92 points but still leads the Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 proven list at +3480 TPI, while Powerhouse is the classic “formula winner,” jumping about +119 TPI between runs thanks to his milk and protein‑heavy profile. Captain, Zuri, and Garza all surrender some ground under the new production weights but remain within the elite band.
All these proven sires meet the Holstein USA “high‑ranking sire” reliability criteria (minimum 80 traditional or 85 genomic for production and 80 for type), and the leaders are sitting in the 95–99% range on production and type, so this is the high‑reliability layer.
What TPI 2026 Is Rewarding (and Penalizing)
Protein vs fat in the new formula
Holstein USA’s TPI 2026 formula allocates 24% weight to PTA Protein and 14% to PTA Fat, shifting 5 percentage points from fat to protein compared with the previous version. Because of how the sub‑indices are scaled, Bullvine’s analysis shows that one pound of PTA Protein now exerts about 71% more leverage inside TPI than one pound of PTA Fat, turning P‑strong bulls into index winners without any change in their actual proofs.
Running the December 2025 Holstein USA TPI values through the new matrix, Bullvine highlighted several clear patterns:
- Bulls with high protein and balanced or strong P/F ratios gained TPI – example case studies include:
- Peak Powerhouse‑ET (1HO16089) – big milk, strong protein, climbs from +3329 to +3448 TPI between December 2025 and April 2026.
- Cookiecutter Horseshoe‑ET (208HO00356) – identified by Bullvine as jumping about 10 proven ranks under the 2026 formula, even on the same December proof set.
- Multiple Captain‑line bulls like Captain himself and his sons.
- Bulls whose component strengths skewed more to fat than protein lost a step:
- SDG Cap Garza‑ET (551HO04474) – very strong on fat; surrenders roughly 125 TPI under the new weighting (from +3464 to +3339).
- Some high‑fat Captain sons and Garza‑type profiles that were standout under the old 19F:19P balance.
| Bull (NAAB) | Status | PTA Pro | PTA Fat | Pro:Fat Ratio | TPI Dec 2025 | TPI Apr 2026 | Δ TPI | Formula Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Powerhouse-ET (1HO16089) | Proven | +92 | +113 | 0.81 | +3329 | +3448 | !HIGH +119 | Winner – protein-heavy relative to fat |
| Peak Momento-ET (1HO16144) | Proven | +53 | +113 | 0.47 | +3334 | +3360 | +26 | Mild winner |
| Denovo 3946 Elgin-ET (29HO20623) | Proven | +68 | +100 | 0.68 | Outside top 10 | +3337 | New entry | Winner – protein:fat balanced |
| Welcome Sensei-ET (200HO12140) | Proven | +73 | +97 | 0.75 | Outside top 10 | +3333 | New entry | Winner |
| Aurora Gs Woodford-ET (551HO06782) | Genomic | +78 | +142 | 0.55 | — | +3565 | — | Purpose-built for 2026 formula |
| OCD Trooper Sheepster-ET (7HO16276) | Proven | +67 | +133 | 0.50 | +3572 | +3480 | !DROP −92 | Moderate loser |
| Genosource Captain-ET (551HO04119) | Proven | +64 | +117 | 0.55 | +3428 | +3356 | !DROP −72 | Loser – fat-leaning relative to protein |
| SDG Cap Garza-ET (551HO04474) | Proven | +50 | +140 | 0.36 | +3464 | +3339 | !DROP −125 | !RISK Biggest loser – extreme fat bias |
| SDG-PH Delux Dominance-ET (551HO04795) | Proven | +64 | +135 | 0.47 | +3458 | +3437 | −21 | Slight loser |
Trait profiles at the top – genomics
Looking at the Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 genomic top 10, the shared trait profile is obvious:
- High PTA Milk – often +1200 to +1500 lb and beyond.
- High PTA Fat and PTA Protein pounds, with a P/F balance that suits the 24P:14F weighting.
- Strong health (PL, LIV, cow health/Health Index) and fertility, with SCS normally in a comfortable range.
- Moderate positive type – enough PTAT and udder to build functional commercial cows, not extreme show type.
A few case studies:
- Aurora Gs Woodford‑ET
+3565 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026) and +1296 NM$ (Holstein USA NM$, April 2026), roughly +1498 PTA Milk, +142 PTA Fat, +120 PTA Protein, strong Health Index, and moderate but positive type. - Genosource Jitters‑ET
+3552 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026), +1127 NM$ (Holstein USA NM$, April 2026); big CFP with strong survival and fertility. - Ocd Whoops Sabotage‑ET
+3551 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026), +1076 NM$ (Holstein USA NM$, April 2026); high production and NM$ with solid type.
Kingdom Formal, Baelum, Bridgerton, Pen‑Col Gs 86807, and Gustavsson all sit in this same high‑protein, high‑pounds, good‑health box with minor flavor differences in pedigree and trait tilt.
Trait profiles at the top – proven
On the proven side, the Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 leader board is full of “TPI 2026‑friendly” production profiles with proven reliability.
A snapshot of trait packages:
- OCD Trooper Sheepster‑ET (7HO16276)
+3480 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026); +133 Fat, +1359 Milk, 2.83 SCS, +4.9 PL, +0.6 LIV, +0.86 PTAT. - Peak Powerhouse‑ET (1HO16089)
+3448 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026); +113 Fat, +1937 Milk, 3.06 SCS, +2.7 PL, −0.1 LIV, +0.09 PTAT. - Genosource Captain‑ET (551HO04119)
+3356 TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026); +117 Fat, +1789 Milk, 3.06 SCS, +3.6 PL, −0.6 LIV, +0.33 PTAT.
Overall, the proven top 10 tends to run 150–250 TPI points below the genomic leaders, but with 95–99% reliabilities for production and type, making them much safer anchors.
AI Companies and Bloodlines: Who Owns the Top?
Across the Holstein USA TPI, April 2026 lists, there is a clear concentration by both AI company and sire line.
On the proven TPI top 10:
- OCD appears prominently with Sheepster and several Trooper/Drive descendants in the extended top group.
- Peak/Alta features strongly via Powerhouse and Momento, plus multiple AltaWheelhouse/AltaZazzle offspring.
- Genosource delivers Captain and several Captain‑line sons (Garza, Capn Miguel, Capn Ramble) just inside or outside the top 10.
- Denovo brings in Elgin under the Envy x Riveting cross.
Pedigree‑wise, a few sire lines are clearly over‑represented in the top 10 and just beyond:
- Captain (and his sons) appear in multiple proven bulls’ pedigrees – Captain himself in the top 10, and Garza, Capn Miguel, Capn Ramble, Cap Diggory, etc., in the next band.
- Trooper/Drive/Topdog influence shows through OCD sires like Sheepster, Shake, Draft, and Draft‑related bulls.
- AltaZazzle/AltaWheelhouse/AltaMarius show up repeatedly in the background of Peak bulls.
For genomic users, this concentration means you cannot just buy “top‑10 genomic TPI” and assume diversity; a good proportion of those bulls will trace back to Captain‑line and AltaZazzle‑line sires. For proven users, it reinforces the need to spread semen across multiple companies and sire lines – e.g., pairing Captain‑line bulls with Envy/Riveting or Taos‑line bulls like Isaac – to manage inbreeding and diversify risk.
How Volatile Are These Rankings After the Protein Flip?
At the genomic level, volatility is a feature, not a bug.
- All ten bulls in the Holstein USA genomic TPI top 10, April 2026, are new compared with the December 2025 genomic top 10.
- The TPI gap from #1 to #10 compressed to just 37 points (3565–3528), which means minor reliability or data shifts can shuffle ranks by several positions without any real change in bull quality.
- For genomic TPI users, this means rank volatility is high and shouldn’t be over‑interpreted; you want to treat the whole top band as a portfolio of similar bulls rather than betting on the “#1” name.
On the daughter‑proven side, the picture is much calmer.
- The core of the top group is stable: Sheepster, Dominance, Captain, Momento, Zuri, and Garza were already high in December 2025, and remain in the top 10 in April 2026.
- Typical movement is ±20–40 TPI as more daughters arrive, with bigger shifts (Powerhouse +119, Garza −125) explained largely by the formula change rather than an abrupt change in daughter performance.
- With reliabilities at or near 99% for many of these bulls, the rank band is structurally stable; a few slots of shuffling don’t change their role as cow‑makers.
For decision‑making:
- Treat genomic ranks as high‑gain but high‑volatility signals: great for fast genetic progress, especially on heifers, but you should spread risk across several programs and not assume any one bull will stay #1.
- Treat proven ranks as high‑reliability anchors: ideal for herds that want predictable daughters and for large semen volumes on milking cows and donors.
NM$: Economics Lined Up with TPI
The Holstein USA NM$, April 2026 genomic file confirms that TPI 2026 and NM$ are largely pointing to the same bulls.
Genomic NM$ leaders vs TPI – Holstein USA, April 2026
| NM$ Rank | Bull (NAAB) | NM$ Apr 2026 | TPI Apr 2026 | TPI Rank | Divergence Flag | Key Trait Tilt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genosource Valkyrie-ET (551HO07040) | +1308 | +3464 | Outside top 10 | !HIGH NM$, lower TPI | High CFP, strong health; fat-forward |
| 2 | Aurora Gs Woodford-ET (551HO06782) | +1296 | +3565 | #1 TPI | Aligned | Protein+milk+health; dual leader |
| 3 | Genosource Viper-ET (551HO07102) | +1296 | +3494 | Outside top 10 | Slight NM$ lead | High milk, strong protein |
| 4 | Genosource Morten-ET (551HO06777) | +1282 | +3490 | Outside top 10 | NM$ favored | Big milk +1888, strong CFP |
| 5 | Genosource Jitters-ET (551HO07177) | +1127 | +3552 | #4 TPI | Aligned | High milk, solid survival |
| 6 | Ocd Whoops Sabotage-ET (796HO10329) | +1076 | +3551 | #5 TPI | Aligned | High-NM$ all-rounder |
| 7 | S-S-I Richard Chichester-ET (7HO18102) | +1059 | +3560 | #3 TPI | Aligned | Protein-/health-tilted |
| 8 | Beyond Mican Hagrid-ET (7HO18312) | +984 | +3562 | #2 TPI | !RISK NM$ lag vs TPI | High PTAT +2.24; type premium, lower economics |
| 9 | San-Dan On Call-ET (551HO06544) | +1218 | +3525 | #12 TPI | NM$ favored | Big milk +1751, PL +3.6 |
| 10 | S-S-I Kingdom Formal-ET (7HO18241) | +1139 | +3548 | #6 TPI | Aligned | High health index; balanced |
For genomics, this means that choosing bulls on TPI alone is less risky than it used to be, because the top TPI list is now almost automatically high NM$ as well; NM$ is more of an economic cross‑check than a competing philosophy.
On the proven side, top TPI sires like Sheepster, Powerhouse, Captain, and Elgin also deliver competitive NM$, albeit a step lower than the very best genomics, which is exactly the reliability vs level trade‑off you expect.
PTAT and RC/R&W PTAT: Specialist Type Tools (with Top RC/RW PTAT Bulls)
The pure PTAT lists – black‑and‑white and Red/Red Carrier – are nearly a separate universe from the TPI/NM$ tables. From the Holstein USA PTAT, April 2026 file, top PTAT sires reach +3.5 to +4.0 PTAT, with huge udders and frames, but usually 150–200 TPI and several hundred NM$ below the Woodford/Jitters type of bull. In the Red Carrier/RW PTAT file, similar-type specialists exist for the Red Carrier and Red & White space.
If your herd prioritizes show and classification, these bulls are ideal when you have a top 5–10% type cow family and are willing to sacrifice some index and NM$ on a few matings to push udders and frames to the next level. If your herd prioritizes herd profitability, you should keep PTAT specialists under 5–10% of total matings and let TPI/NM$ leaders carry the main commercial load while PTAT bulls sculpt the show string and donor group.
Top RC/RW PTAT Bulls – April 2026 and How to Use Them
For herds that want show-ring udders and frames in the Red Carrier and Red & White space, the Holstein USA RC/RW PTAT, April 2026 list provides a small group of extreme‑type tools.
Highlighted RC/RW PTAT bulls – Holstein USA RC/RW PTAT, April 2026 (12‑month bulls)
| Bull (NAAB) | PTAT (Holstein USA RC/RW PTAT, April 2026) | Notes |
| Ruann Karat‑45955‑ET (719HO45955) | +3.92 PTAT | Extreme frames and udders; very low production and index. |
| Redcarpet Story Arc‑ET (730HO00005) | +3.78 PTAT | High‑type RC bull; niche show sire. |
| Eskdale Hulu Shoutout‑ET (288HO00364) | +3.56 PTAT | Hulu‑line type for RC cows. |
| Ruann Archer‑23755‑ET (719HO23755) | +3.32 PTAT | Big frames, strong show pedigree. |
| Dg Santinus RC (551HO00612) | +3.31 PTAT | RC type bull with modest production. |
| Ski‑Brite Junior P RC‑ET (288HO00350) | +3.30 PTAT | Polled RC with high PTAT, lower index. |
| Shg Lazer‑ET (551HO00485) | +3.25 PTAT | Show‑oriented sire for udder and style. |
| Le‑O‑La Chisel‑ET (551HO06531) | +3.24 PTAT | High type, low production; pure show tool. |
| Siemers Lazer Hambitious‑ET (288HO00339) | +3.15 PTAT | Lazer son with modern show‑cow pattern. |
| Sunquest Holy Crypto PP‑ET (250HO18358) | +2.82 PTAT | Homozygous polled with strong PTAT and respectable TPI. |
These RC/RW PTAT bulls are not designed to compete with Woodford‑style sires on TPI or NM$; most carry negative production PTAs and lower indexes. If your herd prioritizes show or classification in Red or RC lines, you can use them strategically:
- On the top 5–10% of Red and RC cows and heifers from your best type families, especially where udders and frames are already strong, and you want to push for the next level.
- For breeders who still need commercial performance in Reds, bulls like Sunquest Holy Crypto PP‑ET can be used on a slightly wider group, because he doesn’t step as far off the index cliff as some pure show sires.
- If your herd prioritizes profit and components, keep RC/RW PTAT-specialist usage under 5–10% of matings, and let Red index leaders (Okafor‑Red, Ocean‑Red, etc.) carry the main R&W commercial load.
Red & White: Index and Type in the R&W Space
TPI 2026 doesn’t treat Red & White differently inside the formula, but the April 2026 USA Red & White GTPI tables show a similar protein‑forward pattern among top R&W bulls.
Top R&W TPI – Holstein USA GTPI, April 2026 (selected)
| Bull (NAAB) | TPI (Holstein USA GTPI, April 2026) | NM$ (Holstein USA NM$, April 2026) | PTA Milk | PTA Fat | PTA Pro | PTAT | Notes |
| Denovo 21873 Okafor‑Red‑ET (29HO00951) | 3194 | +824 | +2270 | +73 | +31 | +1.24 | High‑index Red, strong CFP, good health. |
| Aprilday Hrok Athens‑Red‑ET (250HO18217) | 3180 | +595 | +956 | +76 | +16 | +0.57 | Protein‑friendly Red with solid health. |
| Stgen Ocean‑Red‑ET (551HO06846) | 3179 | +792 | +1906 | +69 | +11 | +1.12 | NM$‑strong Red for commercial herds. |
| Ocd Morris Spirit‑Red‑ET (551HO06757) | 3177 | +872 | +1536 | +81 | +11 | −0.06 | Big fat, good protein; strong fit for milk cheque. |
Compared with December 2025, bulls like Okafor‑Red and Ocean‑Red hold their ground near the top while fat‑heavier R&W sires lose some relative shine; again, the protein‑leaning bulls are formula winners.
For type in the Red space, the Red Carrier/RW PTAT bulls above (e.g., Holy Crypto PP, Story Arc, Karat, Hulu Shoutout) provide show‑caliber udders and frames that you can layer on top of R&W index sires when you want Red daughters that still classify and show.
If your herd wants Red calves with a commercial index:
- Look first at Okafor‑Red, Athens‑Red, Ocean‑Red, Spirit‑Red, and similar bulls at the top of the R&W GTPI and NM$ lists.
- Use RC/RW PTAT specialists sparingly on top Red females where type is high-priority.
What This Means for Your Matings This Season
This is where the April 2026 USA Holstein proof run earns its keep: turning lists into portfolio and mating moves over the next 30 days.
High‑input, housed herds chasing milk cheque and NM$
If your herd is high‑input, housed, and paid strongly on volume plus components, consider:
- Heifers and genomic donors
- Use Aurora Gs Woodford‑ET, Genosource Jitters‑ET, and Ocd Whoops Sabotage‑ET heavily on your top 25–40% heifers and genomic donors to maximize TPI (Holstein USA TPI, April 2026) and NM$ (Holstein USA NM$, April 2026).
- Layer in Beyond Mican Hagrid‑ET or S‑S‑I Richard Chichester‑ET where you need a different program or P/F bias to manage inbreeding.
- Milking cows and ET recipients
- Anchor matings with OCD Trooper Sheepster‑ET, Peak Powerhouse‑ET, and Genosource Captain‑ET to lock in high CFP, PL, and reliability on cows that are already working hard.
- Accept slightly lower TPI vs genomics in exchange for near‑99% reliability – especially on older cows and donor dams.
Grazing / lower‑input or fertility‑sensitive herds
If your herd prioritizes fertility, survival, and robustness more than absolute production:
- On heifers, lean more into genomic bulls like Chichester, Jitters, and Sabotage that balance components with very strong health and fertility, rather than chasing the last 50–80 pounds of milk.
- On cows, emphasize proven sires with strong PL/LIV and fertility – e.g., Sheepster, Dominance, Zuri, Sensei– and limit the number of high‑milk but tougher‑fertility bulls like some Captain sons on cows that already struggle to breed back.
Type/show and classification‑focused herds
If your herd is type/show‑oriented, and you’re willing to give up some TPI/NM$:
- Keep TPI/NM$ leaders (Woodford/Jitters/Sheepster) as the core for commercial matings, but
- On the top 5–10% of your best type cows and heifers, layer in:
- High PTAT black‑and‑white bulls from the Holstein USA PTAT, April 2026 file for udders and frames.
- RC/R&W PTAT bulls like Sunquest Holy Crypto PP‑ET, Ruann Karat‑45955‑ET, or Redcarpet Story Arc‑ET on elite Red or RC families to upgrade type while maintaining some index.
- You gain +3.0 to +4.0 PTAT udders and frames, but you typically give up 150–200 TPI and several hundred NM$, so keep these matings targeted.
Red & White focused herds.
If your herd prioritizes Red & White genetics:
- Build your main Red program on Okafor‑Red, Athens‑Red, Ocean‑Red, Spirit‑Red, and similar high‑GTPI/NM$ R&W bulls from the Holstein USA GTPI R&W, April 2026 list.
- Introduce RC/RW PTAT sires only on your top R&W cows and heifers, where show/classification is the priority.
- Watch bloodline stacking – spreading semen across Denovo, STgen, OCD, and Aprilday R&W bulls helps keep Captain/Trooper/Alta lines from becoming too dense in your Red base.
30‑day action list
Within the next 30 days, for any USA Holstein program using TPI and NM$:
- Audit your sire list against movement
- Pull your current sire lineup and, using the December 2025 and April 2026 Holstein USA TPI lists, flag any proven bull that lost ≥80 TPI (e.g., Garza) and any that gained ≥80 TPI (e.g., Powerhouse).
- Decide whether those “formula losers” still fit your herd’s fat vs protein economics and whether “formula winners” deserve a higher semen share.
- Check bloodline concentration
- Using the pedigrees in the April 2026 proven and genomic lists, highlight how many of your active bulls trace back to Captain, Trooper/Drive/Topdog, or AltaZazzle/AltaWheelhouse as sire or grandsire.
- If a single line dominates, deliberately add a couple of strong non‑Captain/non‑Trooper bulls (e.g., Envy x Riveting like Elgin, Taos‑line bulls like Isaac) to create outcross options.
- Re‑tier your matings by risk.
- Re‑assign at least 60–70% of milk‑cow matings to proven bulls and the remaining 30–40% to genomics if your herd is risk‑averse; invert that on your top genomic heifers if you prioritize maximum genetic gain.
- Make sure each mating segment explicitly matches your herd’s economics (milk pricing, fat/protein premiums) and management style (grazing vs housed, robot vs parlor).
Key Takeaways:
- The 24P:14F TPI 2026 protein flip turns Powerhouse (+119 TPI) into a proven winner and knocks fat-heavy bulls like Garza (−125 TPI) down a tier, so your semen mix needs a hard audit.
- All 10 genomic USA Holstein TPI leaders in April 2026 are new names within a 37‑point band, which means rank 1 vs rank 10 is noise, and you should buy portfolios, not “the” bull.
- Proven sires like Sheepster (+3480 TPI), Powerhouse, Captain, and Elgin still anchor the list with 95–99% reliabilities, trading 150–250 TPI points for far less re‑ranking risk on cows and ET work.
- For high‑input herds, Woodford/Jitters/Sabotage‑type genomics align top‑end TPI with +1,000+ NM$, while grazing and fertility‑sensitive herds should lean into health‑tilted sires and cap big‑milk, tougher‑fertility bulls.
- Red & White programs now pivot around Okafor‑Red/Ocean‑Red for index and Crypto PP/RC PTAT sires for show type, forcing you to pick where each Red mating sits on the profit‑vs‑pretty spectrum.
Full Lists:
- USA – GTPI – Dtr Proven – 04/26
- USA – GTPI – >12 months & NAAB-code – 04/26
- USA – Net Merit – >12 months & NAAB-code – 04/26
- USA – PTAT Bulls = >12 Months – 04/26
- USA | Top *RC GTPI >12 months & NAAB-code 04/26
- USA | Top R&W GTPI >12 months & NAAB-code 04/26
- USA | Top R&W & *RC PTAT Bulls >12 Mths – 04/26
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