Archive for LPI

The 24 Polled Bulls Every Breeder Should Be Using To Accelerate the Genetic Gain in Their Herd

Our recent article on the relative merit of polled (Holstein) dairy cattle may not have garnered the attention of many breeders. (Read more: Polled Dairy Genetics: The Cold Hard Facts) But for those that are seeing the consumer writing on the wall and foresee the need to genetically take the horns off cattle, we wish to document what’s hot in polled.  Before considering the lists, we strongly suggest that you reflect on two things: 1) how you plan to generate revenue from the genetics in your herd; and 2) how you plan to decrease costs from using sires. (Read more: What’s The Plan?) The breeding business has changed (Read more: Where did the money go?) As you confirm adding polled to your sire selection criteria it is an excellent time to decide which index will be your primary one.

Decide. Don’t Ride the Fence.

Nothing’s perfect. That applies to which total merit index to use just as it does to the fact that there are no perfect bulls. However defaulting to using the bull your neighbour uses or the one that the semen salesman is promoting (Read more: Rumors, Lies, and other stuff Salesmen will tell you) is avoiding some very important planning for your herd. The financial future of your farm depends on using the index that will meet your needs five to ten years in the future. It is never too soon to plan for YOUR future.

Select an Index and Stick to It

Every major dairy cattle breeding country publishes a total merit index (Read more: Total Merit Indexes: Are they helping or hurting?).   The bull listings below are broken out by various indexes and bull groupings. This is a two stage process. Pick your index then pick your bull(s). I remind you that the Bullvine strongly recommends that, when using genomic bulls that you do use more than one or two bulls in order to spread risk. If you are looking to win in the show ring, we leave the formula you use up to you. Likely you will use PTAT or CONF as your primary selection criteria.

If You`re Undecided

If you are not certain on which index to use, The Bullvine recommends that for breeders who’s primary income is the milk check, you use NM$ or BEI.

Polled Bulls Ranked by gTPI

 Table 1 Polled Bulls Ranked by gTPI™

Reg. NoNameClassScoreSire NameOwner(s)
HOCANF7769975EBYHOLME GOLDWYN MARCIAEX96BRAEDALE GOLDWYNPLEASANT NOOK FARM, AYR, ON, (519) 632-1109
HOCANF7736316EASTSIDE GOLD OCEAN ETEX94BRAEDALE GOLDWYNJ. GUY THOMPSON & SON, FRENCHFORT, PE, (902) 629-5176
HOCANF9520762ARETHUSA-I GOLD MARCHEEX93BRAEDALE GOLDWYNCRASDALE FARMS, HUNTER RIVER, PE, (902) 963-3515
HOCANF104865809AU SOLEIL GOLDWYN POLLINEEX93BRAEDALE GOLDWYNFERME AU SOLEIL LEVANT (1999) INC, UPTON, PQ, (450) 549-4803
HOCANF9663521COXLYN FIREWORKS PANSYEX93MORSAN FIREWORKSJIM PHOENIX, UXBRIDGE, ON, (905) 852-6936
HOCANF9561777CRAGGAN LHEROS NICOLAEX93COMESTAR LHEROSBERNADALE HOLSTEIN, RICHMOND, PE, (902) 854-2965
HOCANF7796726IDEE MR SAM LYZZEX93REGANCREST-MR DRHAM SAM-ETCRASDALE FARMS, HUNTER RIVER, PE, (902) 963-3515
HOCANF105210974JACOBS MINISTER AIMAEX93MR MINISTERFERME JACOBS INC, CAP SANTE, PQ, (418) 285-2674
HOCANF104928097LESPEREE DOLMAN FAKTILOUEX93REGANCREST DOLMAN-ETFERME L'ESPEREE ENR, ST. CESAIRE, PQ, (450) 469-1755
HOCANF102526714CLOUDIS BRADLEY SURPRISEEX93ROCKALLI BRADLEYFERME DUCHESNE HOLSTEIN, CHICOUTIMI, PQ, (418) 698-0311
HOCANF7406350COMBINATION CHAMPION LORENAEX93CALBRETT-I H H CHAMPIONCOMBINATION HOLSTEINS LTD, KESWICK RIDGE, NB, (506) 363-8902
HOCANF7642315FUNDY GOLDWYN NAULAEX93BRAEDALE GOLDWYNALLEN & JACQUELINE BENT, LAWRENCETOWN, NS, (902) 825-6013
HOCANF101075538GROSPERE STORMATIC HELIEEX93COMESTAR STORMATICLA FERME GROSPERE INC, SACRE COEUR, PQ, (418) 236-9152
HOCANF102118392LABRISE TALENT LILYANEEX93LADINO PARK TALENT-IMP-ETFERME LABRISE INC, ST. CESAIRE, PQ, (450) 772-2695
HOCANF102392405LYSEM CHAMPION DAISYEX93CALBRETT-I H H CHAMPIONFERME LYSEM S.E.N.C, ST. SEVERE, PQ, (819) 264-5535
HOCANF104151514BERGEROY TOYSTORY ROUSSYEX92JENNY-LOU MRSHL TOYSTORY-ETDELAPOINTE INC, UPTON, PQ, (450) 549-5230
HOCANF7937697CITYVIEW SHOTTLE ACEEX92PICSTON SHOTTLE-ETFERME YVON SICARD, ST. JUSTIN, PQ, (819) 227-2067
HOCANF9752057COBEQUID GOLDWYN VITORIAEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNCOBEQUID HOLSTEINS, UPPER ONSLOW, NS, (902) 986-8904
HOCANF9779513EBY016 B G EASTER LILLYEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNAMAREN LANE FARM, BRANCHTON, ON, (519) 621-0899
HOCANF7536968ELMLEAF GOLDWYN SPECIALEEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNROBERT RAY & SONS, ROSLIN, ON, (613) 477-2421
HOCANF9654787GOLDENFLO DAMION ELUSIVEEX92ERBACRES DAMIONMACBEATH FARMS LTD, MARSHFIELD, PE, (902) 628-8348
HOCANF104538851LYSEM STORMATIC MANDARINEEX92COMESTAR STORMATICFERME LYSEM S.E.N.C, ST. SEVERE, PQ, (819) 264-5535
HOCANF9738245MAPLEKEYS GOLDWYN CINNAMONEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNMAPLEKEYS FARMS, AYLMER, ON, (519) 765-4359
HOCANF9569905PASCOBAC GOLDWYN MANDISAEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNPASCOBAC HOLSTEINS INC, BELLEISLE CREEK, NB, (506) 485-1095
HOCANF8904143SPEEDSIDE DEMOLISH BRIANNEEX92BUDJON-NITZY DEMOLISH-ETADAM WITMER, WOODSTOCK, ON, (519) 462-2888
HOCANF9628508SUNREST LHEROS DUCHESSEX92COMESTAR LHEROSSUNREST FARM, JOYCEVILLE, ON, (613) 382-7965
HOCANF8915868THERINDALE SPIRTE MILLYEX92CEDARWAL SPIRTETHERINDALE FARMS INC, NORTH MILTON, PE, (902) 368-2002
HOCANF7879712WILSONBURG BLITZ GINNYEX92FUSTEAD EMORY BLITZ-ETNORTH TAY FARMS LTD, NORTH TAY, NB, (506) 367-2745
HOCANF103014804ARLA GIBSON WINNIAEX92SILKY GIBSONCONRAD RIENDEAU, ST. CESAIRE, PQ, (450) 469-2991
HOCANF7980690BARGEOLANE NEWTON ADORATIONEX92SILLSWAY LHEROS NEWTONBARGEOLANE FARMS, WARSAW, ON, (705) 652-6111
HOCANF7931446BIRKENTREE C O COMFORTEX92COMESTAR OUTSIDEBIRKENTREE HOLSTEINS, HUNTER RIVER, PE, (902) 963-2021
HOCANF9203982COMBINATION ZONE GERTAEX92FUTURALAND ZONE-ETCOMBINATION HOLSTEINS LTD, KESWICK RIDGE, NB, (506) 363-8902
HOCANF7921106CROSSGROVE MODEST TEMPEREX92REGANCREST-LH MODEST-ETDARRYL AUSTIN, WHYCOCOMAGH, NS, (902) 756-3270
HOCANF104205843DES HAUTS PRES STORMATIC CURYEX92COMESTAR STORMATICFERME DES HAUTS PRES L'ISLET INC, L'ISLET, PQ, (418) 247-3138
HOCANF103710525DESDEUXLACS ALLEN EGLANTINEEX92CANYON-BREEZE ALLEN-ETLA FERME HUDON & FILS INC, ST. ANACLET, PQ, (418) 723-9674
HOCANF104103877DUPOTIER GOLDWYN FEEEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNFERME DUPOTIER INC, ST. DONAT, PQ, (418) 739-5095
HOCANF8875244ENGLIDALE SS GLADYSEX92PURSUIT SEPTEMBER STORMENGLIDALE FARMS, LINDSAY, ON, (705) 328-0989
HOCANF7953866LEXIS GOLDWYN CURRYEX92BRAEDALE GOLDWYNHOWARDVALE HOLSTEINS, BREADALBANE, PE, (902) 886-2643
HOCANF7727024LONGVIEW BLITZ MOMENTOEX92FUSTEAD EMORY BLITZ-ETDONALD G. BOSTWICK, KINGSTON, NB, (506) 763-2943
HOCANF9610008MILLEN LOMAX ROSIEEX92FORTALE LOMAXMILLEN FARMS, OMEMEE, ON, (705) 292-5144
HOCANF104227502MYOSOTIS SEPTEMBER GENTILLYEX92PURSUIT SEPTEMBER STORMCLEMENT OSTIGUY & SYLVIE DEMERS, MARIEVILLE, PQ, (450) 460-3566
HOCANF103018724REJOGA DUNDEE CONNIEEX92REGANCREST DUNDEE-ETFERME GARONDALE, ST. DENIS, PQ, (418) 498-2341
HOCANF9533375SELBYVALE SPIRTE KRIMSONEX92CEDARWAL SPIRTEWILLIAM HAROLD ROBINSON, SELBY, ON, (613) 388-2641
HOCANF7975144SPRINGBEND PRIMETIME SYNERGYEX92WINDY-KNOLL-VIEW PRIMETIMEFERME YVON SICARD, ST. JUSTIN, PQ, (819) 227-2067
HOCANF8915873THERINDALE DRAKE CRISTCOEX92FAR-O-LA DEBBIE-JO DRAKE-ETTHERINDALE FARMS INC, NORTH MILTON, PE, (902) 368-2002
HOCANF7749332TOMALYNN DUNDEE MARISAEX92REGANCREST DUNDEE-ETTOMALYNN FARMS, OMEMEE, ON, (705) 799-6147
HOCANF7864081WALKERBRAE DAMION BRONTEEX92ERBACRES DAMIONWALKERBRAE FARMS, GUELPH, ON, (519) 824-0796
HOCANF7718343WEEKSDALE ALLEN LOLAEX92CANYON-BREEZE ALLEN-ETELMER WEEKS, BREADALBANE, PE, (902) 886-2152

From Table 1 it can be seen that genomic polled bulls far surpass the proven ones when it comes to gTPI™.  All bulls in Table 1 are heterozygous for the polled gene and will leave 50% of their progeny polled.

Polled Bulls Ranked by gLPI

Table 2 Polled Bulls Ranked by gLPI

NameID%RHAUdder ScoreFeet & Legs ScoreFinal ScoreAge OwnerState
JOLEANNA GOLD POURINRAIN-ETUSA 1405575761009186892-08Joleanna Holsteins LLCNY
GOLDIE SANCHEZ CHARDONAY-ETUSA 1405673221009085892-09Rustin Herr, Fay-Del Holsteins & Joseph LusbyPA
R-E-W HAPPY GO LUCKY-ETUSA 1408673011009186892-03Jeff Butler, Joe, Amber, Jeff & Terry PriceIL
MISS CALIFORNIA-REDUSA 695618801009090892-08Ernest W. KueffnerMD
OAKFIELD GOLD TOPAZ-ET8400030069887121009084882-09Austin Yoder & Matthias SwartzGA
CRAVE DUSK PENNY 6262840003007148508988785882-03Roseanne L CraveWI
CHARWILL ATTIC MARCYCAN 110346161008885882-03Gen-Com Holstein Ltd
DOUGAL LEA GOLDWYN DANITA-ETCAN 111765121008790882-03Gen-Com Holstein Ltd
WHITTIER-FARMS AMAZN SAMMYUSA 1406596341008888882-11Whittier Farms, Inc.MA
WHITTIER-FARMS SHAQ CRISTENUSA 1409047071008887882-06Whittier Farms, Inc.MA
VT-POND-VIEW CRUMBLE JAS-ETUSA 1410803091008790882-07Christopher LillyMA
JOY-WIL DUNDEE MILLIE-ETUSA 1411994521009083882-05Paige HostetterPA
LUCK-E SANCHEZ DEDRAUSA 666627411008986882-09Matt L. EngelIL
LUCK-E ABSOLUTE TANGOUSA 666627521009086882-08James A. DunnPA
JAUQUET ANORA ATWOOD-ETUSA 687859931009086882-10Tyler & Nathan JauquetWI
HILROSE ADVENT ANNA-RED-ETUSA 690051171009086882-11Joseph A. BrantmeierWI
GREENLEA-TM DES BEA-RED-ETUSA 690567531008886882-10Milk Source LLCWI
NOR-WAY-PETE SANCHEZ STACYUSA 691301431008888882-09Andrew R. PetersonWI
GOLDEN-OAKS GWYN CLASSY-ETUSA 692150091008885882-08Kings-Ransom Farm LLCNY
SWANEE-ACRES SHO ECSTASYUSA 692703701009087882-09Jason A. SwansonIL
MILKSOURCE GLDWN LADYBUG-ETUSA 695922251009086882-04Milk Source LLCWI
ARETHUSA SANCHEZ DICE-ETUSA 704020811009090882-03Arethusa Farm, LLCCT
OAKFIELD-BRO AT FINANCE-ET8400030069890821008785872-04Adam J KingNY
BRACKLEYFARM CHELIOS CHERRIOCAN 108480751008786872-03Milk Source LLCWI
ROCKYMOUNTAIN MANOMAN DIMPL-ETCAN 109452301008886872-07Alphagen Syndicate & Ferme Jolicap IncWI
CHURCH-SITE SHOT PU PU-ETUSA 1405309311008785872-09James E. WautierWI
JOLEANNA RAIN GOOD THING-ETUSA 1405575581008787872-08Joleanna Holsteins LLCNY
GLENNLAWN SNCHZ ELEGANT-ETUSA 1405668991008787872-09Brianna AdamavichWI
OVALTOP ADVENT JANUSA 1405708091008686872-10Douglas H. WolfeNY
GUS-WIND DQUSA 1405724451008686872-11Gus Wind HolsteinsWI
HFM MR SAM KIWIUSA 1405729401008788872-09Matthew SharpeNY
BVK ATWOOD ABBATHA-ETUSA 1406589961008685872-09World-Wide Sires Germany
WHITTIER-FARMS ASHOCK AMBERUSA 1406605021008787872-10Whittier Farms, Inc.MA
HEADLINE TERRASON DIXIEUSA 1406715191008687872-09Nicole M. HeadNY
BKB AFTERSHOCK AMORILLO-ETUSA 1406796741008790872-09Ranway Farms LLC, Devlyn Hurley & Harry LuskNY
JOLEANNA SHAMPOO MANDEVILLAUSA 1407324451008784872-06Joleanna Holsteins LLCNY
WHITTIER-CF ATWOD LEGACY-ETUSA 1409089431008590872-03Todd J. Whittier & Cybil L. FisherMA
OVALTOP ADVNT FALLON-RED-ETUSA 1409211731008788872-05Michael D. WolfeNY
KISSAMEE GOLDWYN VIPER-ETUSA 1410016211008787872-06Christopher F. & Stephanie A. AndersonNY
JOY-WIL DUNDEE MACKENZIE-ETUSA 1411994431008786872-05Paige HostetterPA
DUPASQUIER GLDWYN ROZLYN-ETUSA 1412284151008785872-06Brett & Brennan WokerIL
HAZELS ATWOOD HARRIET-ETUSA 1413237721008786872-04Clark W. Woodmansee IIICT
GRANNY-ANNE VELVET LYLAUSA 660882041008883872-11Eugene S. Merriman, Jr.NY
CURR-VALE SHOTTLE DELIGHTUSA 664014681008885872-09Jessica Mae CurrieNY
CURR-VALE SHOTTLE CALI-ETUSA 664014781008785872-09Kayla CurrieNY
WILSTAR RS TALENT LILLY-ETUSA 666252751008882872-09Wilstar HolsteinsWI
BKB ATWOOD ADDY-ETUSA 666253471008785872-06Richmond Farms DairyNY
LUCK-E ATWOOD ANGELUSA 666627731008788872-07Matt L. EngelIL
LUCK-E ADVENT COREENAUSA 666627861008786872-06Matt L. EngelIL
LUCK-E ADVENT KIATA-ETUSA 666628201008786872-02Matt L. EngelIL
CO-VALE LUCAS 3635USA 66778501968786872-07Bradley CatesNY
CO-VALE TALENT JEN-ETUSA 667785161008886872-06Jason RandallNY
WALKER-FARM GABOR ELIZAUSA 667785821008687872-03Kate E. CurrieNY
GROVES-VU ALEXANDER RAKELUSA 667824961008686872-11Todd & Brad GrovesMO
SURE-VIEW SHOTTLE 309-ETUSA 686503241008787872-07Joseph A. BrantmeierWI
JAUQUET ARDELIS ATWOODUSA 687860081009087872-09Tyler & Nathan JauquetWI
LEW-LIN DUNDEE TIDBITUSA 687935231008687872-09Garnet T Weaver IIINY
LADYS-MANOR GOLD DENVER-ETUSA 688033791008784872-08Markland Registered HolsteinsNY
HILROSE SANCHEZ TAURUS-ETUSA 690051271008882872-10Joseph A. BrantmeierWI
HILROSE SIDNEY PERUUSA 690051361008782872-09Andrew BrantmeierWI
HILROSE BALTIMOR PENNY-ETUSA 690051791008586872-03Jeff BrantmeierWI
FARMDALE BRAXTON BERRYUSA 690384561008586872-09Michael J. SchoessowWI
MONANFRAN EXPLODE MARIONUSA 690852421009182872-09Jason E. KelseyNY
WOODLAWN STRMATIC DHARMA-ETUSA 690925101008885872-10Clark W. Woodmansee IIICT
RICHMOND-FD S BARBARA-ETUSA 693050431009085872-06John L. RichmondNY
MS CRESCENTMEAD DANIE-ETUSA 694361111008785872-04Budjon Farms, Peter C. Vail & Pierre BouletWI
ARETHUSA MAGICAL AMBITIONUSA 695623581008688872-09Arethusa Farm, LLCCT
ARETHUSA GOLDWYN ANNABELLEUSA 695623591008784872-09Arethusa Farm, LLCCT
MILKSOURCE ATWD ATLANTA-ETUSA 695922131008785872-06Milk Source LLCWI
MILKSOURCE LEWIS AUBURNUSA 695922361008988872-03MacArthur OstromWI
SHEMA ATWOOD ROXY-ETUSA 696281611008985872-05Marlin J. BontragerIA
KEVREL PLANET MIA-ETUSA 697530761009083872-05F. Kevin LeavertonMD
ERNEST-ANTHONY BLYTHEUSA 703017531008885872-02Arethusa Farm, LLCCT
ARETHUSA GOLDWYN ARIANA-ETUSA 703051761008886872-03Arethusa Farm, LLCCT

Please note that not all polled sires are identified on the CDN system

Again note that genomic polled bulls far exceed their proven counterparts as in Table 1. All bulls in Table 2 are heterozygous for the polled gene.

Polled Bulls Ranked by NM$

Table 3 Polled Bulls Ranked by Net Merit (NM$)

NameBirthLPISireDam Name
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2355-ET12-Nov3840SUPERSIREDE-SU 520-ET
T-GEN-AC SRGNT JANALUNA-ET12-Dec3833SARGEANTBENNER FORK JANARDAN
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALISA-ET12-Nov3758MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
MATCREST MOGUL GLOBE-ET12-Nov3672MOGULZAHBULLS MASSEY GINA
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALYN-ET12-Nov3668MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
WELCOME MOGUL PATTS-ET12-Nov3651MOGULWELCOME BOOKEM PAISLEY-ET
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAYA-ET12-Nov3638MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
BACON-HILL SUPRSRE MINIE-ET12-Nov3622SUPERSIREUNIQUE-STYLE BOLTON MONEY
DE-SU UNO 2381-ET12-Nov3613NUMERO UNODE-SU 526-ET
CLEAR-ECHO NUM UNO 2832-ET12-Nov3564NUMERO UNOCLEAR-ECHO M-O-M 2213-ET
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAVEE-ET12-Nov3548MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
CLEAR-ECHO MCUTCHEN 2820-ET12-Oct3546MCCUTCHENCLEAR-ECHO M-O-M 2213-ET
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2360-ET12-Nov3543SUPERSIREDE-SU 709-ET
SYNERGY MOGUL SNOWHITE-ET12-Dec3541MOGULSURE-VIEW OMAN SHIMMER-ET
RI-VAL-RE MCCUTCHN QUEEN-ET12-Nov3523MCCUTCHENRI-VAL-RE SOTO ESCAPADE-ET
FARNEAR SUPERSIRE 162812-Nov3514SUPERSIREVISION-GEN SH SHO A12037-ET
S-S-I SPRSIRE MELOSA8473-ET12-Nov3513SUPERSIRES-S-I BOOKEM MODESTO7269-ET
RONELEE SUPERSIRE TARYN-ET12-Nov3499SUPERSIRETIPTOP MANOMAN TALA 1843-ET
RI-VAL-RE MCCUTCHEN DEE-ET12-Nov3498MCCUTCHENRI-VAL-RE SOTO ESCAPADE-ET
SILVERRIDGE MOGUL AVOCATE12-Oct3489MOGULVELTHUIS SG MOM ALICIA
LARCREST CARDIGAN-ET12-Oct3468NUMERO UNOLARCREST CALE-ET
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2337-ET12-Nov3462SUPERSIREDE-SU 520-ET
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALEE-ET12-Nov3449MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
FARNEAR MCCUTCHEN 162412-Nov3443MCCUTCHENB-ENTERPRISE SUPER GIGI-ET
RI-VAL-RE SNOWMAN NIKKI-ET12-Oct3435SNOWMANRI-VAL-RE OBSRVR NIKKI-ET
TRUSTMORE APRICOT MOGUL12-Oct3433MOGULVELTHUIS SG MOM ALICIA
CLEAR-ECHO NUM UNO 2833-ET12-Nov3432NUMERO UNOCLEAR-ECHO M-O-M 2213-ET
SPH YENNIE12-Nov3412MOGULYVETTE (DOMAIN X YELONDA)
RI-VAL-RE SUPRSRE NIKALA-ET12-Dec3412SUPERSIRERI-VAL-RE SUPER NADINE-ET
431212915112-Sep3402FACECYFEE
BOSSIDE MOGUL TESSA-ET12-Nov3385MOGULFARNEAR-REGAN TOAST-ET
ABBY-CONTOUR MOGUL DAISY-ET12-Nov3385MOGULABBY-CONTOUR DOMAIN DORA-ET
OCD MCCUTCH CLAIRE DANES-ET12-Oct3382MCCUTCHENCURR-VALE OBSERVER DELTA-ET
SEAGULL-BAY SH MAUREEN-ET12-Nov3364NUMERO UNOAMMON-PEACHEY SHAUNA-ET
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2335-ET12-Nov3364SUPERSIREDE-SU 709-ET
SANDY-VALLEY MOGUL AMBER-ET12-Nov3362MOGULSANDY-VALLEY IO AMETHYST-ET
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAYE-ET12-Nov3362MOGULBENNER FORK JANARDAN
S-S-I SHAN MOANA 8515-ET12-Nov3357SHANS-S-I OBSERV MANTECA7197-ET
RI-VAL-RE MOGUL IZZY-ET12-Dec3347MOGULRI-VAL-RE GOLDWYN NADINE
DES-Y-GEN HEFTY STATIC12-Oct3344HEFTYDES-Y-GEN PLANET SILKY
BOLDI MOGUL LOUISE12-Oct3343MOGULMSCHARTROIS PLANET LEONI-ET
OCONNORS MOGUL LARK12-Nov3343MOGULMAPEL WOOD M O M LUCY
SUDAN X NN12-Jul3334SUDANNN
SPEEK-NJ MOGUL DALIA 370-ET12-Oct3333MOGULREGAN-ALH PLANET DELORIA-ET
STANTONS MOGUL ELOISE12-Nov3333MOGULSTANTONS SUPER ELDA
OCD MCCUTCHEN DESIREE-ET12-Oct3330MCCUTCHENCURR-VALE OBSERVER DELTA-ET
RR R12-Nov3323MIXER
VISSTEIN ALINDE12-Sep3321HUNTERVISSTEIN CARINA
CLEAR-ECHO LEXOR 2788-ET12-Sep3321LEXORCLEAR-ECHO OBSERVER 2280-ET
CO-OP UNO YOYO 6881-ET12-Oct3320NUMERO UNOCO-OP BOLIVER YOYO-ET
RI-VAL-RE MCCUTCHEN LIA-ET12-Nov3318MCCUTCHENRI-VAL-RE OBSRVR NIKKI-ET
CEDARWAL MITCH EMMY12-Oct3317MITCHCEDARWAL MANOMAN EMERALD
WELCOME SUPERSIRE GAILA-ET12-Nov3316SUPERSIREVISION-GEN MANOMAN GILDIE
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2352-ET12-Nov3315MCCUTCHENDE-SU 9990-ET
FARNEAR SUPERSIRE 161012-Dec3313SUPERSIREVISION-GEN SH SHO A12037-ET
L-L-M-DAIRY S S PERU-ET12-Nov3311SUPERSIREL-L-M-DAIRY J STREAM PROCKY
STANTONS MOGUL CINDY12-Nov3306MOGULMS CHASSITY OBS CLAIRE-ET
RI-VAL-RE MCCUTCHEN EVE-ET12-Nov3301MCCUTCHENRI-VAL-RE SOTO ESCAPADE-ET
DE-SU ODADDY 2383-ET12-Nov3299DADDYDE-SU 719-ET
DE-SU ODADDY 2327-ET12-Nov3299DADDYDE-SU 719-ET
TJR MCCUTCHEN DIAMOND-ET12-Dec3296MCCUTCHENMORNINGVIEW SUPER DEANN
DE-SU OBSERVER 224612-Oct3287OBSERVERDE-SU 76-ET
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2323-ET12-Nov3286MCCUTCHENRMW SUPER ARIANE-ET
RED-OAK-DB MOGUL LEIGH-ET12-Oct3282MOGULRED-OAK-DB O MAN LEAD
CLEAR-ECHO LEXOR 2787-ET12-Sep3280LEXORCLEAR-ECHO OBSERVER 2280-ET
MS ADERYN MC ABIGAIL-ET12-Oct3279MCCUTCHENKHW SUPER ADERYN-ET
STANTONS MOGUL EDWYNN12-Nov3271MOGULSTANTONS OBSERVER EXPOSE
SYNERGY MOGUL SHARONA-ET12-Dec3270MOGULSURE-VIEW OMAN SHIMMER-ET
FLY-HIGHER SUPSIRE MINNI-ET12-Nov3269SUPERSIREFLY-HIGHER BOLTON MISHA-ET
DE-SU MOGUL 233312-Nov3267MOGULDE-SU 502-ET
FARNEAR SUPERSIRE 161512-Dec3267SUPERSIREVISION-GEN SH SHO A12037-ET
FARNEAR MCCUTCHEN 162112-Nov3241MCCUTCHENB-ENTERPRISE SUPER GIGI-ET
SULLHRTFORD MOGUL 371-ET12-Oct3240MOGULSULLY HART DOMAIN 133-ET
CO-OP UNO SYDNEY 6886-ET12-Oct3240NUMERO UNOFUSTEAD SYDNEY CRI-ET
CNN DEHLI12-Oct3238MOGULBOGART X DREAM 1
SUNDAY12-Nov3237MOGULSUNSHINE
FARNEAR SUPERSIRE 161412-Dec3234SUPERSIREVISION-GEN SH SHO A12037-ET
EDG STICTH MOGUL STAR-ET12-Oct3232MOGULGRAN-J RUSSELL STITCH-ET
LEOTHE MOM WRAP DUFFY12-Oct3230WRAPLEOTHE BAXTER DAPHNEE
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2353-ET12-Nov3228MCCUTCHENDE-SU 489-ET
BACON-HILL SUPRSRE MINDY-ET12-Nov3226SUPERSIREUNIQUE-STYLE BOLTON MONEY
COOMBOONA SNOWMAN BOLTA-IMP-ET12-Jul3226SNOWMANWIAMY KYANA BOLTON
MS WELCOME EPIC LAILA-ET12-Nov3221EPICMSWELCOME OBSERVER LAURI-ET
WELCOME SUPERSIRE GALES-ET12-Nov3220SUPERSIREVISION-GEN MANOMAN GILDIE
ROCKYMOUNTAIN UNO CLARISA12-Oct3216NUMERO UNOLARCREST CHEVELLE-ET
FUSTEAD UNO LOVE-ET12-Aug3215NUMERO UNOGLEN-TOCTIN BOLT LUCILLE-ET
S-S-I UNO MIRANDA 8503-ET12-Nov3213NUMERO UNO
RIVER-BRIDGE D DAY 40028-ET12-Oct3210DAYCO-OP RB PLANET YANNA-ET
S-S-I DADDY EARTHA 8461-ET12-Nov3209DADDYS-S-I ROBUST ECALON 7257-ET
RI-VAL-RE MOGUL EVETTE-ET12-Dec3205MOGULRI-VAL-RE GOLDWYN NADINE
DE-SU LAYNE 2359-ET12-Nov3202LAYNECLEAR-ECHO M-O-M 2150-ET
NORTH-ECHO NUM UNO 2813-ET12-Oct3200NUMERO UNONORTH-ECHO BOOKEM 2305-ET
EVER-GREEN-VIEW ASP12-Oct3199MOGULBROEKS ASPEN-ET
CLEAR-ECHO SUPERSIRE 283012-Nov3198SUPERSIRECOOKIECUTTER BOWS HOMONY-ET
CO-OP DAY CLASSY 6832-ET12-Sep3193DAYCO-OP PLANET CLASSY-ET
SONRAY-ACRES SOC OBSERVR VI11-Jan3191OBSERVERSONRAY-ACRES SHOT SOCRTS PI
CO-OP DAY SYDNEY 6838-ET12-Sep3186DAYFUSTEAD SYDNEY CRI-ET
STANTONS MOGUL JESSICA12-Nov3184MOGULSTANTONS FREDDIE CAMEO
SEAGULL-BAY SSIRE DAPHNE-ET12-Dec3182SUPERSIREPINE-TREE SHARLA DAPHNE-ET
WELCOME SUPERSIRE GENEVA-ET12-Nov3180SUPERSIREVISION-GEN MANOMAN GILDIE

For Net Merit ($) polled bulls are still far behind the 900+ values being seen today by horned bulls. That will change 3-4 years after breeders and breeding companies that use NMS as their primary index begin to place emphasis on having polled cattle. Compared to the gTPI™ list there is some re-ranking of the bulls at the top for Net Merit. In other words, there is not perfect bull.

Polled Bulls Ranked by BEI

Table 4   Polled Bulls Ranked by BEI (Bullvine Efficiency Index)

NameBirthdateSireGTPI*Owner
LARCREST CARDIGAN-ET10/19/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2634Jon E. Larson
DE-SU UNO 2381-ET11/18/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2616Darin Meyer
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2355-ET11/9/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2615Darin Meyer
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALISA-ET11/17/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2588Tim Clark
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2360-ET11/11/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2554De Su Holsteins LLC
HFP LUCETTE8/22/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2539Alta Genetics Inc - USA Bulls
OCD MCCUTCHEN DUCHESS-ET10/28/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2538Oakfield Corners Dairy
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2349-ET11/7/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2517De Su Holsteins LLC
LARCREST CRAYON-ET10/31/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2512Jon E. Larson
CLEAR-ECHO SUPERSIRE 283011/3/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2512Clear Echo Farm LLC
DE-SU LAYNE 2359-ET11/11/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2511De Su Holsteins LLC
MS EMILY ELIORA-ET12/3/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2508Trans-America Genetics
SEAGULL-BAY SH MAUREEN-ET11/5/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2503Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.
COYNE-FARMS SROCK JACKLE-ET10/26/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2494Coyne Farms Inc.
S-S-I DEAN BROXTON 8519-ET11/24/2012RONELEE SUPER DEAN-ET2484Select Sires Inc.
MATCREST MOGUL GLOBE-ET11/30/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2483Matt & Brad Johnson
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAVEE-ET11/21/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2480Tim Clark
SULLHRTFORD MOGUL 371-ET10/15/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2479Robert Eustice & Mike Sullivan
WELCOME MOGUL PATTS-ET11/9/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2479Welcome Stock Farm LLC
L-L-M-DAIRY S S PHAWN-ET11/18/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2476L-L-M Dairy
BACON-HILL SUPRSRE MINIE-ET11/29/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2475Bacon-Hill Holsteins LLC
SANDY-VALLEY UNO ADDISON-ET11/19/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2475Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
DE-SU UNO 2294-ET10/22/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2471De Su Holsteins LLC
SPEEK-NJ MOGUL DALIA 370-ET10/19/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2469Robert J. Eustice
OCD MCCUTCHEN DESIREE-ET10/30/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2468Oakfield Corners Dairy
RONELEE FEELING FANCY-ET8/14/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2462Sherman Polinder
COYNE-FARMS MOGUL MIA-ET10/13/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2461Coyne Farms Inc.
MS DREARY DRUSIE-ET12/5/2012ROYLANE BOXER PUNCH 4311-ET2459Trans-America Genetics
DE-SU ODADDY 2302-ET10/24/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2458De Su Holsteins LLC
TJR MCCUTCHEN DIAMOND-ET12/1/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2456TJR Genetics
COURT-US-MS UNO DOSE-ET8/20/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2454Scott & Shane Courtney & Mark
T-GEN-AC SRGNT JANALUNA-ET12/5/2012SEAGULL-BAY SARGEANT-ET2454Tim Clark
CO-OP UNO SYDNEY 6886-ET10/13/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2450Genesis Cooperative Herd
DE-SU UNO 2312-ET10/29/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2448De Su Holsteins LLC
VISION-GEN CAM A14142-ET10/2/2012SHEMA JEEVES CAMERON-ET2447VISION GENETICS
MS APPLES UNO ARMANA-ET10/30/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2446Apple Partners LLC
CO-OP DAY CLASSY 6832-ET9/15/2012MINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2442Genesis Cooperative Herd
PINE-TREE 4233 MOGU 5523-ET10/24/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2440Matthew J. Steiner
SANDY-VALLEY UNO SAGE-ET10/4/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2438Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
SEAGULL-BAY SSIRE DAPHNE-ET12/2/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2437Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.
MS ADERYN MC ABIGAIL-ET10/25/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2437Dennis Caudil
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAYA-ET11/22/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2437Tim Clark
BUSH-BROS MOGUL 4536-ET11/15/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2435David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
PLAIN-KNOLL NMROUNO 6494-ET11/21/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2433Buschur Dairy Inc.
AURORA MOGUL 13446-ET11/13/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2433Aurora Ridge Dairy LLC
PREHEN SHAMROCK LADY ET9/7/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2433Holstein UK
SCO-LO-KRUSE DEAN CANDY-ET10/29/2012RONELEE SUPER DEAN-ET2432John Cannon & Rob Kruse
CO-OP UNO YOYO 6881-ET10/3/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2431Genesis Cooperative Herd
OCD SS SOLEIL MOON FRYE-ET10/26/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2430Oakfield Corners Dairy
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALYN-ET11/19/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2428Tim Clark
CO-OP UNO YOYO 6883-ET10/3/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2427Genesis Cooperative Herd
BUSH-BROS MOGUL 4535-ET11/14/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2426David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
S-S-I DADDY EARTHA 8461-ET11/1/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2425Select Sires Inc.
NORTH-ECHO NUM UNO 2813-ET10/9/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2425Clear Echo Farm LLC & North Fo
SANDY-VALLEY UNO SCARLET-ET10/6/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2425Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
ROSYLANE-LLC SHAMROCK 577611/18/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2424Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC
MS GOLD-N-OAKS ADORE2500-ET7/8/2012GENERVATIONS EPIC2422Arabell Syndicate
VISION-GEN CAM A14166-ET10/12/2012SHEMA JEEVES CAMERON-ET2422VISION GENETICS
JOLICAP LAYNE DELPHINIUM-ET11/3/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2422Ferme Jolicap Inc
RONELEE SUPERSIRE TARYN-ET11/13/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2422Sherman Polinder
S-S-I UNO MARYANN 8526-ET11/27/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2422Select Sires Inc.
CLEAR-ECHO LEXOR 2787-ET9/2/2012GENERVATIONS LEXOR2421Clear Echo Farm LLC
MS ADERYN MC ALLIE-ET11/8/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2420Dennis Caudil
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2352-ET11/8/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2419De Su Holsteins LLC
S-S-I DADDY KACEY 8471-ET11/3/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2419Select Sires Inc.
S-S-I SHAN MARSHA 8525-ET11/24/2012LADYS-MANOR MAN-O-SHAN-ET2419Select Sires Inc.
BACON-HILL SUPRSRE MINDY-ET11/28/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2417Bacon-Hill Holsteins LLC
MS DREARY DREIMA-ETS11/10/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2417Trans-America Genetics
MS DREARY DREMA-ETS11/10/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2417Trans-America Genetics
LADIES-FIRST LXOR BANGLE-ET9/1/2012GENERVATIONS LEXOR2416Barbara Mountain & Ladies Firs
JERESA UNO PINEAPPLE-ET10/31/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2416Jere L & Teresa J Brubaker
RANSOM-RAIL MCCUTCH PING-ET10/11/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2415Ransom Rail Farms Inc.
S-S-I SHAN MOANA 8515-ET11/22/2012LADYS-MANOR MAN-O-SHAN-ET2415Select Sires Inc.
TJR MCCUTCH DE-ANNA-ET11/10/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2415TJR Genetics
SANDY-VALLEY MOGUL AMBER-ET11/1/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2414Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
RANSOM-RAIL MCCUTCH PEG-ET10/11/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2414Ransom Rail Farms Inc.
BACON-HILL MOGUL EZRA-ET11/2/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2413Bacon-Hill Holsteins LLC
DE-SU UNO 2298-ET10/23/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2412De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2323-ET11/2/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2410De Su Holsteins LLC
CLAYTOP WHOLE LOTTA LOVE-ET6/23/2011LOTTA-HILL SHOTTLE 41-ET2408Jeffrey L. Paulen
WELCOME PARISH PRESTO-ET11/29/2012PLAIN-KNOLL PARISH 5534-ET2407Welcome Stock Farm LLC
LARCREST CREEK-ET11/2/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2406Jon E. Larson
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANAYE-ET11/22/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2404Tim Clark
SLO-TRAIN SHAM 34876/19/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2403Robert J. LaSalle
KERNDTWAY PETRONE DELTA-ET10/27/2012WELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2403Mark W. Kerndt
OCD MCCUTCHEN DAFNE-ET10/21/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2402Oakfield Corners Dairy
RONELEE UNO DARINGLY-ET10/13/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2401Sherman Polinder
S-S-I UNO MIRANDA 8503-ET11/15/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2400Select Sires Inc.
ATH-MOR UNO MIDNIGHT CRI-ET11/4/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2400Genesis Cooperative Herd
SPRUCE-HAVEN UNO KY14242-ET11/11/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2399Doug Young & James Nocek
BOSSIDE MOGUL TESSA-ET11/24/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2399John & Tineke Boschma
EDG BRYSHA UNO BREN-ET12/2/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2399Elite Dairy Genomics LLC
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2330-ET11/4/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2393De Su Holsteins LLC
CREST-VIEW-ACRES SERI-ETS10/20/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2392Steven G. Holte
CREST-VIEW-ACRES SHANDA-ETS10/20/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2392Steven G. Holte
LANDIS-MRK MOGUL ZANETA-ET11/1/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2392Robert E. Landis
RONELEE MOGUL DAVIANNA-ET10/8/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2390Sherman Polinder
EDG BRYSHA UNO BRISEN-ETS11/25/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2390Elite Dairy Genomics LLC
EDG BRYSHA UNO BRESEN-ETS11/25/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2390Jeffrey Butler
S-S-I SPRSIRE MELOSA8473-ET11/3/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2390Select Sires Inc.
LARCREST CREST-ET10/30/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2390Jon E. Larson
AB-TY NUMERO UNO BRIELLE-ET11/26/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2388AB-TY Genetics
BUSH-BROS MOGUL 4539-ET11/19/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2387David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
MS DREARY DREAMAR-ET11/23/2012ROYLANE BOXER PUNCH 4311-ET2387Trans-America Genetics
WESSELCREST FACEB MAGGIE-ET1/25/2012MARBRI FACEBOOK2386Walt Brent & Jason Wessel
NO-FLA MOGUL STACY 34071-ET10/13/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2386North Florida Holsteins
S-S-I ASPEN MILA 8518-ET11/24/2012PINE-TREE ASPEN 223-ET2386Select Sires Inc.
S-S-I DADDY PRIMA 8452-ET10/31/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2385Select Sires Inc.
NORTH-ECHO LITHIUM 2778-ET8/23/2012S-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2385Clear Echo Farm LLC & North Fo
CO-OP UNO YOYO 6882-ET10/3/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2385Genesis Cooperative Herd
LEVEL-PLAIN ECOYNE COLA-ET9/9/2012ECOYNE ISY2385Keith A. Nettekoven
EDG STICTH MOGUL STAR-ET10/30/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2385Elite Dairy Genomics LLC
L-L-M-DAIRY S S PERU-ET11/15/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2384L-L-M Dairy
TJR MCCUTCHEN DICE-ET12/1/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2384TJR Genetics
T-GEN-AC MOGUL JANALEE-ET11/17/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2384Tim Clark
CLEAR-ECHO LEXOR 2788-ET9/4/2012GENERVATIONS LEXOR2383Clear Echo Farm LLC
RICKLAND O-DADDY 446611/26/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2382Greg Rickert
RI-VAL-RE MCCUTCHN QUEEN-ET11/15/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2379Aaron Jorgensen
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2335-ET11/6/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2379De Su Holsteins LLC
HALL-LAR NUT 42610/18/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2379S. Larson & D. Hallberg
NO-FLA MOGUL TAMIA 34132-ET10/20/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2378North Florida Holsteins
S-S-I SHAN SHARI 8517-ET11/22/2012LADYS-MANOR MAN-O-SHAN-ET2378Select Sires Inc.
LARCREST CONCORD-ET10/26/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2378Jon E. Larson
CLEAR-ECHO NUM UNO 2833-ET11/9/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2378Clear Echo Farm LLC
SPEEK-NJ CINDY CRAWFORD-ET11/28/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2378Neil McDonah
DE-SU ODADDY 2383-ET11/18/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2378De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU LITHIUM 2299-ET10/24/2012S-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2377Darin Meyer
ABBY-CONTOUR MOGUL DAISY-ET11/17/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2377Randy & Sara Mikshowsky
HONEYCREST MOGUL FANFARE-ET9/24/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2376Honeycrest Farms Inc
DE-SU LITHIUM 2325-ET11/2/2012S-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2375Darin Meyer
SYNERGY MOGUL SNOWHITE-ET12/6/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2375Synergy Farm LLC
FUSTEAD UNO LOVE-ET8/19/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2375Brian & Wendy Fust
BACCHUS ELION 25/28/2012COOKIECUTTER MOM HUNTER-ET2375A L H Genetics BV
M-JAYBEE GRAFEETI 6252 96797/30/2012LADYS-MANOR RD GRAFEETI-ET2374Fiscalini Farms
NO-FLA PARADISE 33729-ET9/10/2012REGANCREST PARADISE-ET2372North Florida Holsteins
NO-FLA MAURICE RAE 34224-ET10/28/2012MOUNTFIELD MSY MAURICE-ET2372North Florida Holsteins
AURORA PERRY 13448-ET11/14/2012CO-OP UPD AL PERRY 4102372Aurora Ridge Dairy LLC
BUSH-BROS MOGUL 4521-ET11/6/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2372David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
SONRAY-ACRES PTRN CRYSTL-ET11/17/2012WELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2371Paul G. Powell
WELCOME SUPERSIRE GALES-ET11/29/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2370Welcome Stock Farm LLC
OCD MCCUTCHEN DAWSYN-ET11/1/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2370Oakfield Corners Dairy
SPEEK-NJ PENELOPE CRUZ-ET11/27/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2370Neil McDonah
SEAGULL-BAY SSIRE MAY-ET12/1/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2369Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.
EVER-GREEN-VIEW ASP10/23/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2369Thomas J. Kestell
ATH-MOR UNO MAGIC CRI-ET10/30/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2369Genesis Cooperative Herd
S-S-I DEAN MINDA 8537-ET12/2/2012RONELEE SUPER DEAN-ET2368Select Sires Inc.
SANDY-VALLEY UNO DOS-ET8/14/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2368Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
TUI CAYLEAH UNO-ET8/21/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2368Psuche L. & Curtis D. Hoffman
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2311-ET10/28/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2368De Su Holsteins LLC
KHW JOLICAP UNO ADELMA-ET11/23/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2368Ferme Jolicap Inc
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2353-ET11/8/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2367De Su Holsteins LLC
S-S-I FONSY SHAKIRA 8453-ET10/31/2012EVER-GREEN-VIEW FONSY-ET2367Select Sires Inc.
MATCREST LEXOR CHI CHI-ET10/30/2012GENERVATIONS LEXOR2366Matthew R. Johnson
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2337-ET11/6/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2366Darin Meyer
SYNERGY UNO PIZAZZ-ET12/1/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2365Synergy Farm LLC
SANDY-VALLEY MF AMARILLO-ET11/23/2012DE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2365Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
FROSTY-ROCK NUMERO UNO 94310/1/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2364Matt & Katie Stoll
BRU-DALE PETRONE ZELDA-ET11/1/2012WELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2364Michael R & Melissa M Brubaker
FLY-HIGHER SUPSIRE MINNI-ET11/22/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2363Fly-Higher Holsteins LLC
HONEYCREST MOGUL FANTASY-ET9/17/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2362Honeycrest Farms Inc
CREST-VIEW-ACRES SOLO-ET4/14/2012MISTY SPRINGS SUPERSONIC2361Steven G. Holte
DE-SU UNO 2306-ET10/26/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2359De Su Holsteins LLC
RI-VAL-RE MOGUL EVETTE-ET12/9/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2358Aaron Jorgensen
DE-SU MOGUL 2380-ET11/18/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2358De Su Holsteins LLC
SANDY-VALLEY MAY ABRIANA-ET11/24/2012DE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2358Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
WELCOME SUPERSIRE GAILA-ET11/26/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2356Welcome Stock Farm LLC
RI-VAL-RE SUPRSRE NIKALA-ET12/10/2012SEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2356Aaron Jorgensen
ANDERCREST MOGUL ALEXIS-ET11/15/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2356Brandon Anderson
BUSH-BROS UNO 4533-ET11/13/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2356David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
ARMSON MOGUL VIOLET-ET11/2/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2354Armson Farms LLC
WELCOME MCCUTCHEN SALLI-ET11/29/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2354Welcome Stock Farm LLC
RIVER-BRIDGE BUGGLES CRI-ET11/1/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2354Genesis Cooperative Herd
S-S-I UNO RAWNIE 8446-ET10/29/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2353Select Sires Inc.
VIEUXSAULE MAYFIELD DABNEY-ET10/24/2012DE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2353Trans-America Genetics
VISION-GEN SHA A14130-ET9/28/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2353VISION GENETICS
MD-MRK-OVF UNO MARGO-ET11/5/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2352Matthew R Kimball
SLO-TRAIN SHAM 85255/22/2012LADYS-MANOR PL SHAMROCK-ET2352Robert J. LaSalle
NO-FLA PARADISE 34011-ET10/9/2012REGANCREST PARADISE-ET2351North Florida Holsteins
JK EDER CREAMY11/16/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2351Eurogenes
GOLD-N-OAKS SB JULES2523-ET8/18/2012MR GOLDNOAKS SUPERBOWL-ET2351John & Judy Swenson
HENDEL MCTCHN ADRIA 3719-ET10/26/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2349Hendel Farms
DE-SU ODADDY 2327-ET11/3/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2349De Su Holsteins LLC
BUSH-BROS MOGUL 4541-ET11/20/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2349David Leroy & Bradley Nosbush
MORNINGVIEW ROBUST RADIO-ET6/30/2011ROYLANE SOCRA ROBUST-ET2349Tom J. Schmitt
AB-TY NUMERO UNO BRIUNA-ET11/24/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2349AB-TY Genetics
OCD MCCUTCHEN MADISON-ET11/7/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2348Oakfield Corners Dairy
T-GEN-AC LAYNE LYCKA-ET11/13/2012KELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2348Tim Clark
S-S-I SNOWMAN MELLY 8460-ET10/31/2012FLEVO GENETICS SNOWMAN-ET2347Select Sires Inc.
JC-KOW NUMERO UNO 473-ET11/4/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2346JC-Kow Farms LLC
N-SPRINGHOPE HDLINER YES-ET11/10/2012SEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2346J Kevin & Barbara Nedrow
EDG CLAIRE CAROLINA-ET10/23/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2345Elite Dairy Genomics LLC
DELCATH NUMERO-UNO JAYDA-ET10/9/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2345Gary L. Protzman
SANDY-VALLEY MOGL RAMONA-ET10/25/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2345Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg B
DE-SU UNO 2316-ET10/30/2012AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2344De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU MCCUTCHEN 2324-ET11/2/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2344De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU MAYFIELD 235711/10/2012DE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2344De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU LITHIUM 2266-ET10/14/2012S-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2343De Su Holsteins LLC
DE-SU ODADDY 2304-ET10/25/2012RONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2343De Su Holsteins LLC
OCD MCCUTCHEN DUBLIN-ET10/30/2012DE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2343Oakfield Corners Dairy
COOKIECUTTER MOGUL HARBOR11/18/2012MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2342Denise M. Dickinson

* Expressed relative to a value of 2000 set for the highest animal in the group using the CDN Customized Index Calculator
Please note that not all polled sires are identified on the CDN system

For information on BEI follow this link (Read more: 30 Sires that will produce Feed Efficient Cows).  Between the top three bulls in Table 4 there is little difference when it comes to siring feed efficient cows. A s with Net merit (Table 3) bulls come to the top for BEI when they are rated for their daughters being moderate in stature and body depth, fertile, have moderate depth of udder, are able to resist mastitis, are able to calve in without difficulty (DCE or DCA) and have a long herd life.

PP Polled Bulls

Table 5 PP Bulls Ranked by BEI

CANADIANINTERNATIONALYOUNG SIRES
LONG-LANGS OMAN OMAN-ETCO-OP BOSSIDE MASSEY-ETFARNEAR-TBR-BH CASHMONEY-ET
CRACKHOLM FEVERCOYNE-FARMS DORCY-ETSOUTHERN-HILLS BAYARD-ET
BRAEDALE GOLDWYNDE-SU  CIMARRON-ETFARNEAR-TBR-BH CASHCOIN-ET
ALLYNDALE-I ATTICUSBADGER-BLUFF FANNY FREDDIEMR LOOKOUT P ENFORCER-ET
LIRR DREW DEMPSEYCERVI ALLEMAR ETCO-OP BOOKEM YUXI-ET
DE-SU GILLESPY-ETDE-SU GULF-ETCO-OP MASTER GENO-ET
GEN-I-BEQ BRAWLERBERTAIOLA MINCIO ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO ET
GILLETTE JORDANGUARINI-ETTEEMAR OBSERVER ADAM-ET
GEN-I-BEQ TOPSIDEDE-SU FORK-ETDE-SU DISTINCTION 11130-ET
ENSENADA TABOO PLANET-ETDE-SU WATSONDE-SU UNO 11446-ET

* Expressed relative to a value of 2000 set for the highest animal in the group using the CDN Customized Index Calculator
Please note that not all polled sires are identified on the CDN system

The information in table 5 came from the CDN files (Most listings do not separate out PP bulls.) The only sure way to have all progeny born polled is to use PP bulls.  That will limited the total genetic merit of your herd but it will get you to a polled herd more quickly.

Lowering Inbreeding

For breeders using polled sires and interested in lowering the inbreeding level in their herd, we provide a list of bulls that are below average for their inbreeding level (the number in the brackets is their Inbreeding %): Man P (2.73%); Magna P (3.88%); Illegal P (4.46%); Trey PP (4.58%); Snowball P (4.67%); Colt P (5.20%); Earnhardt P (5.78%); and Terrel PP (6.01%).

The Bullvine Bottom Line

The great news is – there is more choice and increased genetic merit than ever before in polled Holstein sires. As we reported previously, polled animals have made significant gains in the last five years when it comes to their total merit indexes relative to horned animals. The Bullvine recommends that breeders include at least three polled sire in the group of sires that they are currently using. In five years you will pat yourself on the back and say ‘Good Decision’. Discerning consumers of milk products want to know that the milk products that they buy come from animals that are humanely cared for.


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What is the Role of a Dairy Cattle Breed Association?

Recently I took the opportunity to review the Canadian Breed Strategy presented by Holstein Canada.  (Read more: Holstein Canada Breed Strategy, The Bullvine Feedback) I started to ask myself, “What, exactly, is the role of a modern dairy cattle breed association?”

First of all let’s get one thing clear.  I have the Holstein Canada logo tattooed on my chest.  That was a decision that I made as a young adult in order to display my passion for two of the greatest things in the world, Holstein cattle and Canada.  So for me to take a critical look at this is something I do with passion.  The perspectives that motivate me result from personally observing both the producer side as well as the association side.  My father was head of type classification and genetic improvement at Holstein Canada for 18 years.  That background motivates my review which essentially boils down to one question.  “Are breed associations still relevant?”

Now let’s be realistic, the role of the Holstein breed associations is much different than that of the colored breed associations.  Holsteins represent 92% of the dairy cattle in North America.  So for the colored breeds focus is driven by the need for  awareness and preservation.  What is the focus of the Holstein breed associations?

Politics vs. Corporation

For me this question really begins with the fact of how you look at breed associations?  Are they similar to a government entity and therefore they are to represent the best interests of their members and function mainly in a political role?  Or are they to function similar to a corporation and work at growing the profitability of the association and its members?  For me, I would answer that it’s a little bit a both.

The Elephant in the Room

It`s time now to consider the elephant that is hiding in the corner of the room.  In North America  approximately 22% of all Holstein cattle are registered with either Holstein USA or Holstein Canada.  That means that the large majority (78%) of the Holstein cattle in North America are not registered with either breed association.  When such a large majority is not seeing the value in registration and the association programs, I have to ask, “Are Holstein associations relevant to the majority of today’s dairy producers?”

On a personal level, I see great value in purebred dairy cattle, registrations, type classification, and the many other programs.  But obviously the fact that almost 78% of the Holstein Cattle in North America are not registered tells me that the large majority do not see the value.  Why is that?

When I ask that of many the commercial producers that I chat with the answer often boils down to one comment.  “I don’t see the value in the investment.”  Most of the time this position is held by commercial producers that run their operations more like a corporation, rather than passion for a specific breed or way of life.  While many are larger operations, I get the same answer from both large and small.

Technology has changed the world

In the 1980s the value of a purebred heifer of fresh cow was far greater than that of a grade.  But in today’s marketplace, the difference in prices does not warrant the need for registration.  Also reducing the  pressure  for registrations is the fact that computerized record keeping has evolved to a state that the records available on-farm are as complete as those available from the breed associations.  This has further reduced breeder’s perception of the value of registration.

So then it comes down to the other programs that breed associations provide.  The largest of them has to be type classification.  Now let’s be clear I am a HUGE fan of type classification.  But more and more I hear producers wondering if it is really worth it.  (Read more: Is type classification still important?)  They cite things like the use of genomics as a reason that they no longer need to type classify.  Well as we all know Genomics is not a perfect (Read more: The Genomic Bubble Has Burst?, Genomics – Lies, Miss-Truths and False Publications! and How Genomics is Killing the Dairy Cattle Breeding Industry), but it is a great tool.  However, in order to improve its accuracy, the breed still requires the phenotypic data from programs like type classification and milk recording.

While we are talking about technology, why can’t we use more of this on-farm information for genetic evaluations?  Sure I have heard the concerns about accuracy of data, and the ethics of allowing producers to record their own data.  But who said that this data had to be used for female genetic evaluations?  Why can’t we include this large data set in bull genetic evaluations, so that we can greatly increase the accuracy of sire proofs?  We could even develop more management based genetic evaluations that connect more directly to the bottom line?

Who Cares About Index?

From many of the most passionate breeders in the world, I hear “mixed” comments about the index systems, like TPI, LPI, etc.  (Please note that TPI is a trademark of Holstein USA) Yet breed associations continue to focus on this as a major issue.  While there is no doubt that having a national index has done wonders for marketing and genetic advancement.  In reality every breeder should have their own index.  The best index is the one that the works hand in hand with specific management goals.  Having one National Index isn’t working.  First of all we are in a global marketplace.  Secondly, we need at least have three difference indexes.  One that represents the needs of the seed stock producer (similar to TPI or LPI).  One that represents the needs of the commercial producer (similar to NM$).  Finally one that works for those breeding for the show ring (similar to CONF or PTAT).  Only then will you start to settle this debate.

As long as we continue to try to promote one “unified” national index, it will continue to be seen as nothing more than a marketing tool.  If you really want to have a tool that is for breed advancement and not for marketing, you need to understand that every breeder’s needs are different.  And when you start to look at things from the different perspectives of all producers, and try to represent and respect each one of their individual needs, you will start to see the greatest advancement in the breed.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Really the breed strategy must come down to, “How do you make me more profitable?”  All other issues are secondary to that.  For years I have heard “Well a higher classified cow will last longer in your herd and produce more milk over their lifetime.”  Well I am sorry to tell you that the data does not always support that conclusion.  What if the cow has reproduction issues?  What if they don’t milk very hard?  All of these challenges to profitability also greatly reduce their productive life, yet they are not factored into most of the programs that breed associations currently offer.  If you really want to get a larger share of the national herd pie, you need to show the average producer the measurable effect that registered animals and the associated programs have on their bottom line.  All other issues are just smoke and mirrors that many of the politicians (Breed association board members) spend far too much time focusing on.  I want my breed association to “Show me the money!”

 

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Total Merit Indexes: Are they helping or hurting?

If you haven’t worked in a trade show booth or attended a cattle show recently, you could very well be missing important genetic improvement discussions. Discussion about which traits breeders feel are at an acceptable level and which ones need to be improved. I suspect that few of you have worked a trade show booth but I can tell you, from front line experience, that bottom line focused breeders are not shy about saying that today’s dairy cattle are not functional enough, don’t get pregnant easily (may conceive but not retain)  and require too much worker time. Contrast that with the spectators at shows that talk about their ideal cow being tall, lean, tight uddered, deep ribbed and wide rumped.  Often front and center in all the discussions is which total merit index to use. Is it TPI, JPI, NM$, LPI, RZG, BW, TMI, NVI or another? Is any one total merit index capable of meeting the needs of all breeders?

Who is #1?

Every breeder or owner wants to have the #1 cow or bull. And back twenty to thirty years ago many bull owners bragged about having the #1. All-be-it they had the number one for Milk, Fat %, Fat Yield, Type or whatever. For the average breeder it was very  confusing. Which should they think was the #1 bull? In order to assist breeders, breed societies and genetic evaluation centers started publishing total merit indexes for bulls. Those indexes combined the production and type genetic indexes. It was reasoned that having a ranking system that combined all the traits was much superior to single trait marketing and selection.

Index Achievements & Short Falls

Recently CDN published the following genetic trends for Canadian Holsteins and Jerseys.

lpi & component improvement holstein canada

lpi & component improvement jersey canada

The average increase in LPI for both breeds is 65 LPI points per year. Undoubtedly this annual gain is more than would have been achieved without having the LPI to use for sorting animals. These gains are based on increases in both production and durability (conformation). But note that no gains have been made for health and fertility (H&F) in the past fifteen years.

Index Worship – Gone Too Far?

Having only one number to remember on an animal can be good but there can also be drawbacks to using only one number. These limitations include:

  • Everyone talks about the top ten TPI sires but in fact between #1 (Massey) and #20 (Goose) there are only 122 points. That is almost like getting 99% compare to 95% on a test. Not much difference. So drill down and know the facts. Indexes for these twenty bulls range from 42 to 93 lbs for fat yield and from 0.98 to 3.42 for Udder Composite.
  • Mating a high TPI bull to a high TPI cow without regard to where the bull and cow are strong or weak can lead to disaster.
  • Buying only on the TPI, even though the pedigree person announces that “this heifer is #1”, does not guarantee that you are buying the best animal for the traits important to you.

In fact we could very well have reached the point where we are limiting the advancement we will make in our herds because we do not look at all the genetic indexes for an animal. Instead of using TPI to sort out the top animals and then studying the strengths and limitations of an animal, we only consider the TPI. If you wonder about that The Bullvine suggests that you study the top TPI heifers looking at both their TPI and fertility (DPR) indexes. You will find many top heifers that have a negative DPR index. Is not reproduction the #1 reason cows are culled?

Which Index for You?

The key word in this title is YOU. What business are you in – the business of breeding and marketing of breeding stock or the business of milk production? After you make that important first decision, you are in a position to decide on which total merit index you should use.

It is important to think in terms of what you want your herd to be genetically in the future when selecting a total merit index to use. Traits beyond production and type are becoming more important to breeders. The following ICAR published table shows the relative trait emphasis for seven  leading total merit indexes and the average for all total merit indexes from seventeen countries.

Relative Trait Emphasis in Total Merit Indexes*

RANKNAME# OF DAUGHTERSPTATUdder CompF&L CompBody CompDairy CompStature
1BRAEDALE GOLDWYN553.032.592.561.932.033.1
2REGANCREST ELTON DURHAM-ET212.472.312.131.71.982.13
3KHW KITE ADVENT-RED-ET192.532.241.62.041.652.41
4REGANCREST DUNDEE-ET182.062.180.751.291.551.18
5GEN-MARK STMATIC SANCHEZ143.072.172.443.342.833.91
6WILCOXVIEW JASPER-ET112.891.940.732.562.523.22
7ERBACRES DAMION83.22.223.172.832.722.76
7MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD-ET84.163.413.463.442.974.31
9PICSTON SHOTTLE-ET62.661.971.792.422.32.71
9ROYLANE JORDAN-ET62.071.940.321.532.061.93

* Reported by J Chesnais & Associates at 2012 ICAR Meeting (Ireland)

As you develop your breeding and business plans for the future, the following points may be useful to consider:

  • If you do not sell animals for breeding purposes, having type at a high weighting in your total index may not be your best business decision. NM$ may be a better index for you.
  • In ten years will you be a breeder or a milk producer? Choose either the breeder index (i.e. TPI or LPI) or the milk producer index (i.e. NM$).
  • If you do not show cattle or sell cattle to showmen, then PL (Productive Life) or HL (Herd Life) rather than PTAT or CONF should be an important part of your total merit index.
  • Including and giving significant weighting to traits such as fertility, longevity, calving ability, milking speed and mastitis resistance in the total merit indexes will be the way of the future for breeders focused on milk production.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Total merit indexes are designed to rank animals according a set formula. After sorting out the top bulls on a total merit basis, breeders should use corrective mating to match the bulls with the cows in their herd. Not using genetic indexes denies you the opportunity to make significant advancements both genetically and from a profit perspective. Are total merit indexes helping or hurting breeders? It depends on knowing your genetic needs and using the index that focuses attention on your most important traits. No total merit index will best serve all breeders. Use the index that suits your plans (Read more:Fact vs. Fantasy: A Realistic Approach to Sire Selection, What’s the plan? and Genomics at Work – August 2013)


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Who Really Has The Best Dairy Cattle Genetics In The World?

The amount of bragging and arguing that goes on among breeders about what country has the best genetics in the world is insane.  Because  many have no actual facts to back up their opinion, the Bullvine decided to take a closer look and see just who does have the best genetics in the world. We took a look at the top 50 proven and top 50 genomic sires (where possible) in each of the major north American  indexes (TPI, NM%, LPI, PTAT and Conf) to see just what countries have the top bulls on each. We used north American indexes since all other indexes did not publicly provide MACE lists for use to do an accurate evaluation. The following is what we found.

TPITM

tpi proven sires

tpi genomic sires

When it comes to TPI, it’s not surprising that the US dominates both the proven and genomic sire lists.  Given that TPI is a US based index, it’s only natural that they would have such a large proportion of the list.  What is interesting about these results is that Canada does have 14% of the top genomic sires.  Maybe a sign that Canadians are starting to put more attention into TPI and are adjusting their breeding programs so that they can achieve high ranking TPI animals.

NM$

NM$ proven sires

NM$ Genomic Sires

Since young sire information between countries is not readily available, its not surprising the we have mostly US sires on the genomic lists.  What is interesting about these results is that the Nordic countries have 22% of the top proven sires for NM$.  This is a direct result of their heavy focus on health and fertility and thus leading the way in genetic progress in these areas (Read more:  What the experts will tell you about who is winning the genetic improvement race).

PTAT

ptat proven

ptat genomic sires

When it comes to type it’s not surprising that Canada makes its strongest showing in this area. Years of intense breeding for this trait have led to Canada having a larger market share in this area.  What is also interesting is the diversity of countries that make the top proven sire list.

LPI

lpi proven sires

lpi genomic sires

Almost shockingly there are no Canadian bred proven sires in the top 50 LPI sires in the world.  Given that LPI is Canada’s national index you would think there would be at least a few.  While the genomic lists do have 22% Canadian bred sires, it shows that in the recent past Canadian’s have been lagging behind other countries.

Conformation

conf proven sires

conf genomic sires

One area that has always been a great strength is the Canada’s ability to breed great type.  While they certainly have their largest market share in this area.  It is interesting to note that the Canada does have more of the top proven and genomic conformation sires in the world.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

While there is no question that the US has the largest  population of dairy breeders in the world, and hence they should have the largest market share, what is surprising is how they have so much of the world’s top genetics.   Well beyond just the size of their population base, the US is the world leader in producing top Holstein sires.

For complete genetic evaluations from around the world click here.

 

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Fertility: You Get What You Breed For

How often have you heard a 4H leader, FFA member, classifier or show judge say a heifer or cow must have slope from her hips to her pins and be wide in the pins because that’s what we need for good fertility? Yes we have all heard that many times. But is it true? Could it be that the Holstein bloodlines we have selected were poorer for fertility than other bloodlines we left behind half a century ago? And that rump conformation has a low correlation with fertility.

A Colorful Opinion

Something we can all agree on is that the fertility levels in our herds, the world over, are not what breeders would like them to be. I well remember just a year ago when I had a discussion with an old time Jersey breeder. True to form he was telling this Holstein guy that Holstein breeders have ruined the breed. Sure higher butterfat and protein yields and udders much higher off the ground were great moves but why the excessive stature, very flat and deep rear rib and the demand that animals be tall in the front end when nature did not make them that way? “Jersey cows don’t need to have sloping rumps in order to quickly get back in-calf. So why do Holsteins need sloping rumps?” His bottom line was that by going for the tall skinny cow syndrome we have selected against reproductively sound females. His concluding statement was “You are breeding cows not runway models.” Think about it, shorter, rounder cows that may give a little less milk but get in-calf quicker are very likely preferred by milk producers to the tall, deep rear rib, walk uphill ones.

Have we won a Little but Lost a Lot?

Have we selected our Holsteins for the ones that do not quickly get back in-calf? Is it possible that our breeding strategies have taken us in a wrong direction when female fertility is frequently the biggest cow problem that breeders have? (Read more: How Healthy Are Your Cows?)

Certainly over the past half century the average production of Holsteins has doubled. And yes in the past decade we are seeing more outstanding scoring (type classification) cows. And the winners at the shows are super cows with awesome mammary systems.

However whether it is genetics, nutrition or management, our calving intervals are longer and pregnancy rates are perhaps half what they were forty years ago. As well with the need for breeders to focus today on profitability there is the need to replace high cost manual labour with technology and there are moves ahead pointing to less use of drugs and medicines for food safety reasons. Therefore we need to find some way to put reproduction efficiency back into the Holstein cow. And do it by selection rather than by cross-breeding.

Skinny at Odds with Conception

Research and breeder experience has brought to our attention that cows that have above average body conditioning get back in-calf quicker and with less trouble than cows that sacrifice their body condition due to high yields, poor nutrition, inadequate transition cow feeding, poor conformation, … or maybe some combination of all of those.

The Billion Dollar Question

So I ask. “Now that we have sire and cow indexes for Daughter Pregnancy Rate (USA) and Daughter Fertility and Body Condition Score (Canada) are breeders using those indexes in their Breeding Programs?”

Bulls That Get Used

The Canadian Dairy Network, last week, published the thirty Holstein sires with the most daughters registered in Canada in 2012 (Read more: Canadian A.I. Market Share and Most Popular Sires for 2012) accounting for 40% of the total registrations. The remaining 60% were sired by 5900 other bulls. The Bullvine decided to study in some depth the 20 sires with the most registered daughters in Canada in 2012. Those twenty sired 35% of the females registered which should be a good benchmark for where the breed is heading.

Table 1 Sire Comparison – 2012 Daughters Born vs. 2011 Top Sires Available

GroupLPIMilk (kg)Fat (kg / %)Protein (kg / %)CONFMSF&LHerdLifeDFSCSUdepthCA
20 Bulls-most registered 20122075103160 /+.21%41 / +.06%15128105982.894s102
20 Bulls - top in 20112392139367/+.16%55 / +.07%101091081022.874s104
Difference-317-362-7-1452-1-3-4-0.020-2

Table 1 compares the twenty sires with the most registered daughters in 2012 to the top twenty Canadian proven LPI sires available to Canadian breeders in 2011. The short answers to the comparisons are: breeders use sires with lower LPIs, less production, more type, less fertility and less Herd Life than the very top LPI sires that A.I. organizations marketed. The shocking truth is that ten of the top twenty most used sires were below average for their Daughter Fertility (DF) indexes. One of those twenty sires had a DF index of only 88 while the top two sires were rated at 107 & 106. High (top 10%) but not overly high.

In case you are wondering if this is a Canadian phenomenon you can refer to a recent Bullvine article (Read more: Top Sires North American Breeders Are Using). The sires with most registered daughters in the USA have the same deficiency in their genetic merit for female fertility. Six of the top ten bulls with the most registered daughters in the middle half of April 2013 were below average for Daughter Pregnancy Rate. Different country same story.

Let’s take the Bull by the Horns

Even though we have only had fertility indexes on bulls for a few years, we as breeders are not using them to genetically improve female fertility in our herds. And it likely goes beyond that – are our A.I. organizations using them when selecting the parents of the next generation of bulls? After all over 90% of the genetic improvement in a herd comes from the sires used.

Fertility Sires

Sires do exist that top the April 2013 North American TPI™ and LPI listings and have fertility ratings in the top 25% of the Holstein breed. Breeders wishing to genetically improve their herds for female fertility should consider the following sires:

Table 2 Top Sires with High Fertility – April 2013

Table 2 Top Sires with High Fertility – April 2013

Click on image for enlargement

Of course we all want to know what we will have to give up to get the female fertility. Further analysis of the twenty-four bulls listed in Table 2 shows that only significant concession would be in ‘show type’ for eight of the twelve top proven sires.  All bulls on this listing have above average indexes for PTAT or CONF.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Half a century of breeding for increased yields, taller and more angularity cows have taken their toll on the fertility in our herds. Female fertility indexes are available for both males and females. With genomics these indexes became much more accurate. Now is the time to put the genetics for female fertility back into our modern Holsteins. It is not a “Perhaps or Maybe”, it is a “MUST”!


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Canadian LPI Rescaling Explained (April 2013)

Understanding and correctly using genetic indexes is important to breeders who derive a significant portion of their profit from dairy cattle breeding decisions. Major changes in the expression of indexes do not occur frequently but when they do occur it can be a time of confusion and perhaps lack of trust. The Canadian total index, LPI, has been used for over twenty years by Canadian breeders, as well as by breeders from other countries who source genetic material from Canada. When changes occur in the LPI indexing system, as is the case just now in April 2013, it is important that the reasons for the changes and the results be understood and incorporated into breeders’ decision processes.

Why Change?

For some time now the LPI values, especially for Holsteins, have been increasing quickly for all animals but it has been most noticeable for animals that have genomic evaluations. Breeders questioned how these young animals with indexes that are about 65% reliable can be significantly superior to recently proven top end bulls and active cows with their own performance values. As most breeders refer to the absolute LPI number, significant differences between the leaders on the various listings left doubt in accuracy in breeders’ minds. For breeders who think is bottom line terms and do not follow the LPI numbers closely, comment were often heard about the fact that numbers are numbers but it is annual cow profit that pays the bills, expands the business and sends the kids to college. Point being that the LPI difference between animals over-stated the net dollar difference between animals. These questions, comments and concerns were heard loud and clear by the CDN’s Genetic Evaluation Board so it studied the matter and took action.

LPI Scaling

The extreme range (-3500 to +3500) in Canadian Holstein LPI values had many drawbacks. It assigned most older long-lived profitable cows a negative value thereby telling a story that was not true and limiting the saleability of their subsequent generation. It assigned values that indicated significant differences between animals when the actual dollar differences were not that large. And due to the scaling effect for animals at the very top of the breed it gave values far exceeding the actual differences.  This latter point was especially true for bulls and heifers with only parent averages and genomic evaluations.

While studying possible solutions, CDN noted that in other major dairy breeding countries the scale for their total merit index is much much smaller than Canada’s 7000 point range. CDN decided to adopt a publication methodology for the LPI similar to what the TPI™ has used for many years. That involves calculating a value and adding a ‘constant’ to it.

New LPIs

Effective April 09, 2013  the new LPI formula is ½ Previously calculated LPI  + Constant.

cdnfigure1

Note that the highest progeny proven sires do not change in value.

currentvsnewlpi

Note that the range in values of Holstein LPIs is now much more similar, although slightly more, than the range for  Holstein TPI™

Sire LPIs

It is important to note that this re-scaling of LPI does not re-rank animals. But it does bring the progeny proven sires and genomically evaluated young bulls much closer in their values.

toplpigenomicsiresdec2012

It is important to remember that LPI is the Canadian system for ranking animals according the weights assigned to the numerous genetic indexes of important for lifetime profit. For Holsteins the weights at 51% Production, 34% Durability and 15% Health and fertility while for Jerseys those weightings are 57%, 33% and 10% respectively. Breeders wanting to place more or less emphasis on the various can calculate their own rankings using  the CDN calculator available at www.cdn.ca or going the Bulvine’s bull listings for alternative ranking systems (Read more: Bullvine Performance Index (BPI) – Top Sires December 2012).

Using Genetic Indexes

Indexes are a very constructive tool to genetically breed better animals for the future. As genetics is less than half of the reasons animal differ in profitability, much depends on breeders to not only produce the animals that will be profitable but also to feed and manage them.  Some suggested ground rules to follow when making sire or heifer selections are:

  • Use LPI, TPI™ or Net Merit are you primary list reduction tool for sires or herd replacements
  • Always check out the index values for the traits important to you (i.e. protein, fat, feet & legs, udders, SCS, fertility,..). Eliminate animals from the list that do not meet your requirements.
  • A quick way to eliminate animals is to use % RK (percentile rank).
  • Animals below 75% RK for any yield or conformation traits will likely leave progeny that reduce your profit.
  • Animals below 60% RK for health and fertility traits will not move your herd ahead for these traits of emerging importance.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Even though the method of expressing genetic indexes may differ from trait to trait or country to country, it is always important to have a plan on what you want to improve genetically  in your herd and then to select the sires or replacement females that will produce the results. The re-scaling of the LPI values will come closer to the actual dollars amount animals return in their lifetime profit and will more accurately compare older and younger animals. By all means keep your genetics current and on target to your needs. It is best to throw out the semen from low indexing bulls. Buy high ranking genetics. It always pays big dividends.

 

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TPI™ and LPI – Marketing or Mating tools?

From old school dairy breeders telling you, “They are all worthless!” to geneticists telling you “They are the greatest thing since sliced bread!” it can be challenging to figure out whether tools like TPI® and LPI have significant merits in your breeding or marketing program

What Are They?

To get a better understanding of what each of these indexes represent start with the fact that  TPI® (Total Performance Index) and LPI (Lifetime Profit Index) are multi-trait indexes.  They both combine production, type, and health and fertility traits to rank sires on their ability to transmit an economic balance of these traits. TPI® is calculated by Holstein USA and LPI is calculated by The Canadian Dairy Network.

The big thing to remember about both of these indexes is that they are more or less a predictor of a bull’s ability to transmit based on established weightings.  For TPI® that weighting is as follows

TPI Formula

Source: Holstein USA, click on image for more details

Whereas LPI has the following weighting, 51% production, 29% conformation and 20% health traits. As you will notice, LPI actually puts a greater weighting on conformation and health than does the TPI®.

They’re Tools You Fool

The big thing to remember is both of these indexes were created to help identify superior sires that combined high production, sound conformation, and desirable health and fertility traits.  It does not mean that these sires are the only sires you should be using.  Or that if you only use these sires you will have the best herd in the world.

What it does mean is that you can use these tools to help short list what sires you are wanting to use, assuming that you are breeding for high production, conformation, and fertility.  If you are like some old school breeders who feel that high lactation production is not worth the tradeoff then fine, LPI and TPI® are not for you.  In reality, each breeding program would be best to develop their own index based on the needs and goals of their breeding program.  Maybe you would want more emphasis on health or type.  It all depends on your goals and then you work from there.

It’s All About the Marketing

Were these indexes created just for marketing?  No.  Were they created for ways to compare and sell sires?  Yes.  What’s the difference?  Well when both these indexes were created they had all the right intentions.  They were created for a way to compare sires on their overall genetic merits.  Which lead to major sale and marketing opportunities for those organizations and breeders who had the top sires.

I can remember that, before these multi-trait indexes were introduced,  everyone claimed to have the #1 sire or cow.  While that is still happening, for the most part TPI® and LPI provide the opportunity for breeders to gain a clear understanding of who is the top sire for producing high production, sound conformation, and healthy cattle.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

With so many different traits that are evaluated, trying to identify which sires have the overall best genetics can be very challenging.  While the TPI® and LPI formulas may not be the exact weighting that works for your breeding program, they are designed to represent that average breeder (if there is such a thing).  They are designed to give opportunity to compare sires on relative merits and see which sires rise to the top.  The big thing to remember is that they are to be used as tools! If you lose focus on that, these tools can have you looking like a fool!

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