Everyone said you can’t breed for both the show ring AND the milk tank. DOC just proved them all wrong.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: We’ve been tracking DOC for years, but what he just accomplished changes everything we thought we knew about elite genetics. This Showcase™ bull proved that exceptional type and massive commercial success aren’t mutually exclusive – something most of us figured was impossible. Here’s what matters to your operation: DOC’s daughters delivered +982 lbs Milk with 99% reliability across 54,563 daughters in 10,067 herds worldwide, while simultaneously dominating major shows from Japan to Denmark. One daughter sold for $1.925 million, validating that crossover genetics aren’t just marketing hype—they’re profit drivers. The global trend we’re seeing suggests that farmers won’t accept the old trade-offs anymore; they want cattle that perform well in both the parlor and the show ring. DOC’s million-unit milestone as the first Showcase sire to reach this level tells us the market is ready for genetics that deliver comprehensive excellence, not just single-trait optimization.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Market Validation at Scale: DOC’s million-unit sales prove that elite type genetics can drive massive commercial demand – his sustained popularity across 10+ years shows these genetics work in real farming conditions, not just perfect environments
- Crossover Economics Work: When daughters consistently deliver both production (+982 lbs Milk) and type excellence (purple banners globally), you’re looking at cattle that maximize both milk checks and genetic value – start evaluating bulls for comprehensive performance, not either/or scenarios
- Global Adaptability Matters: DOC’s success from Japan to Denmark to progressive U.S. dairies demonstrates that truly elite genetics translate across diverse management systems – look for sires with proven international performance when making breeding decisions
- Health Traits Drive Longevity: DOC’s genetics included improved mastitis resistance and productive life, contributing to his sustained demand – prioritize bulls offering robust health packages alongside production and type in your 2025 breeding program
- Strategic Breeding Investment: With daughter S-S-I Doc Have Not 8784-ET selling for $1.925 million, DOC proved that superior genetics create exponential value – focus on sires with proven transmission ability rather than chasing the latest genomic predictions
Look, we’ve seen some incredible bulls over the years, but what DOC just pulled off? This changes everything about how we think about elite genetics.
So here’s what happened. Woodcrest King DOC (EX-90) just became the first Select Sires Showcase™ sire to sell over 1,000,000 units of semen. Yeah, you read that right – a million units. And he did it while carrying that Showcase designation, which, honestly, most of us thought would never happen.
The thing about DOC is… well, he broke all the rules we thought existed in this business.
From Day One, This Bull Was Different
DOC came from solid genetics – 7HO12198 KINGBOY out of WCD-ZBW Mack Daddy (VG-88-VG-MS) at Woodcrest Dairy up in Lisbon, New York. The Cruikshank family knew they had something special when his dam was putting up impressive milk numbers and became a barn favorite. But honestly? Nobody predicted this level of success.
What made DOC stand out wasn’t just one trait – it was everything. Most bulls offer either production or type. You pick your lane and live with it. DOC said “forget that” and delivered both. We’re talking +982 lbs Milk with 99% reliability from 54,563 daughters across 10,067 herds. Those aren’t theoretical numbers from a computer model… that’s real milk in real tanks from real farms.
The Crossover Revolution
Here’s where it gets interesting. DOC’s daughters became the poster children for what we call “crossover cows” – cattle that absolutely crush it in progressive dairies while also claiming purple banners at major shows. This used to be impossible. You either bred for the parlor or the show ring, never both.
DOC’s daughters didn’t just participate in shows; they dominated them. From Japan and Korea to Spain, Italy, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Australia, Canada, and across the U.S., his genetics proved they could adapt to any system. That’s the mark of truly elite genetics – when they work everywhere, not just in perfect conditions.
What’s fascinating is how Select Sires positioned him as a patriarch of their Showcase™ program. This wasn’t honorary… DOC earned it by consistently delivering daughters that mattered to real dairy operations.
The $1.925 Million Proof
Nothing validates genetics quite like someone writing a massive check. DOC’s daughter S-S-I Doc Have Not 8784-ET (EX-96-EX-MS-DOM) sold for $1.925 million. That’s not just expensive – that’s the market screaming “these genetics matter.”
This cow exemplified everything DOC transmitted: elite type, impressive genomics with a +2742 GTPI, and proven transmission ability with three offspring already exceeding +3035 GTPI. She traced back 10 generations to Snow-N Denises Dellia EX-95, connecting modern genetics to historical greatness. When you see lineage like that performing at this level, you know it’s not luck.
Breaking the Showcase Barrier
The Showcase™ program recognizes sires with outstanding breed-leading type or show-winning pedigrees. It represents decades of strategic matings to create influential, breed-altering sires from impressive maternal lines. DOC becoming the first bull in this category to reach millionaire status? That’s huge.
Previous Select Sires millionaires typically achieved their status through broad commercial appeal – think workhorse bulls that every farm could use. DOC proved that elite-type transmission could drive equivalent demand. That changes how we evaluate genetics going forward.
The Million-Unit Club Context
Since Fisher-Place Mandingo first hit a million units back in 1994, only 42 other Holstein bulls had joined this club by 2010. The U.S. leads with 20 millionaire bulls, Canada has 12. Select Sires has consistently contributed to this group with bulls like PLANET-ET, MILLION-ET, and SHOT Laser-ET.
But DOC’s achievement stands apart. He reached millionaire status while maintaining his Showcase™ designation, proving that exceptional type and massive commercial success aren’t mutually exclusive.
Global Impact That Actually Matters
The numbers tell DOC’s story better than any marketing campaign. Over 673,000 doses sold globally, ranking among Select Sires’ bestsellers throughout his career. Scott Ruby from World Wide Sires noted that “Doc is a bull that has expanded his popularity every year of his life,” – which is unusual since most sires peak early and then fade.
What’s particularly noteworthy is DOC’s sustained demand. His genetics addressed the complex needs of modern dairy operations, including elite production, superior type, and robust health traits such as improved mastitis resistance and a productive life. That’s what keeps the bulls relevant year after year.
What This Means for Breeding Decisions
DOC’s success offers a blueprint for evaluating future elite sires. The most valuable genetics aren’t always the most extreme – they’re the ones delivering consistent, profitable performance across diverse environments and management systems.
Here’s the thing, though… DOC proved that show ring champions and commercial superstars can come from the same genetic foundation. His daughters dominated major shows while driving profits in progressive dairies, shattering the false choice between type and production that had limited breeding decisions for decades.
The Legacy Continues
DOC passed away in June 2025, just months before reaching his millionaire milestone. But his influence on Holstein genetics keeps expanding. His daughters worldwide prove his genetic worth daily, each lactation adding evidence that comprehensive excellence is achievable in dairy breeding.
Rick VerBeek, senior Holstein sire analyst at Select Sires, captured DOC’s significance: “Today’s A.I. industry is fast-paced. The speed of genetic advancement is unprecedented. Much of this advancement is driven by young sires, and while our GForce™ program continues to grow, influential daughter-proven genetics will always be our goal. It’s both exciting and gratifying to see DOC achieve this monumental milestone”.
Kevin Jorgensen, senior Holstein sire analyst, emphasized DOC’s unique contribution: “Within the Showcase program, DOC defined crossover for the past decade. He expertly transmits yield, components, type, and udder conformation to his offspring. His daughters continue to top the charts, and they’re extremely competitive in the show ring”.
Where We Go from Here
DOC’s millionaire achievement signals a shift in the industry. His ability to generate massive commercial demand while maintaining elite-type credentials proves that modern dairy breeding can deliver both profitability and phenotypic excellence simultaneously.
The success of DOC’s genetics validates Select Sires’ Showcase™ program approach and suggests that future breeding strategies should focus on comprehensive genetic packages rather than single-trait optimization. His legacy demonstrates that elite genetics can achieve both immediate commercial success and long-term breed improvement.
What strikes me about this whole story is how DOC changed the conversation. We’re not debating type versus production anymore – we’re looking for genetics that deliver both. That’s a fundamental shift in how we approach breeding decisions.
As the dairy industry continues evolving, DOC’s achievement stands as proof that exceptional genetics, strategic marketing, and consistent performance can create breeding legends that influence the industry for generations. The King’s millionaire status isn’t just a sales milestone – it’s validation that excellence in dairy breeding truly knows no limits.
Learn More:
- The Ultimate Guide to Sire Selection – This guide offers a tactical framework for applying the lessons from DOC’s success. It provides practical strategies for balancing production, type, and health traits in your own herd to maximize genetic gain and long-term profitability.
- Does Type Still Pay? The Financial Realities of Breeding for the Show Ring – This article dives into the market economics behind DOC’s crossover appeal. It analyzes the financial ROI of elite type, helping you understand how to leverage show-winning genetics to drive higher returns from both milk sales and genetic marketing.
- Genomics: The Great Promoter or the Great Pretender? – DOC’s story champions daughter-proven reliability. This piece explores how to strategically use genomic data without getting lost in the hype, revealing methods for blending the best of proven sires with the potential of high-genomic young stock.
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