HA's rundown on the April female proof run

The April numbers for Holstein females represents another step in the improvement for genetic merit within the Australian Holstein population. Importantly it is a recognition of the breeding programs of Holstein Australian members and the many generations of females contributing to their success illustrated in the Top 20 list.

The Top 20 list combines a significant number of females from the December release that continue to rank highly in April with an addition of a large group of new entrants. For the contingent of milking females represented their performance “in the shed” is having a positive impact and for maiden heifers the depth of their breeding is having a significant  influence.

The April release also highlights the major impact 29HO18698 JERONIMO-P is having with many direct daughters represented and also being the maternal grand sire in many instances.

Orchard Vale Informer Tiffany, 2019 Cow of the Year, is now having a much wider influence within the breed beyond her tremendous individual highlights with three family members represented starting with the top ranked female for BPI, Cypress Grove V4 Jernimy Tiffany at 578, continuing her success from December. Joining her in the top list are Cypress Grove V2 Jeronimo Tiffany at 527 and Emu Banks Karat Diamond at 510.

Mitchell Jones, Cypress Grove Holsteins, says: “These are full sisters, and they are all high, it’s consistent,” Mr Jones said. “It means we know what they are going to produce. We can rely on the fact they are going to look after us in our pocket. It also shows the efficiency that whatever you can feed them they are going to return.

“We’re going to keep trying to expand the breeding capacity from them, fully utilise them to their potential. They’re high BPI, good for type, so there’s a lot there to work with. We just need to look after them. Their overall efficiency is very good. They’re just maintenance free, trouble free cows,” says Mr Jones.

Congratulations to the Jones family and Dickson Family respectively on this success. The Dickson’s’ also have a second female on the list, Gene Pool Calypso at 507 BPI.

Ranking second behind Tiffany is the first Carenda entry, Jeronimo Vista, who has risen up the ranks considerably from her December numbers, now at 548 BPI. Adding further success for the Kitchen family is the highest ranked new entrant, Carenda Magic Ball Viska at 539. Viska is a daughter of Vista and the result of generations of outstanding cows developed by the Kitchens including generations of Star Brood Cows, high classifications and outstanding production. Carenda is further represented by Jeronimo Vida and Jeronimo Alannah.

Other multiple entries by breeders include the Lillico family with three representatives headlined by Hindlee River Dallas 21013 at 524 BPI, River Dallas 21011 at 508 and Jeronimo Denim 3807 at 507.

The Wilara prefix of the Henry family features three times with Terraine Collette at 530 BPI, Perseus Jo at 526 and Jeronimo Jorda at 525. Another multiple inclusion is Illawambra prefix of the Parrish family represented by River Sleepy at 522 BPI and Rocksolid Pride at 507.

Breeders with single entries  include Numeralla with Delta 1427 6160 at 548 BPI, White family with Dilee Jeronimo Ollie 277 at 547, Sebire family with Ivyhurst Wrangler Mystery 6194 at 514, West and Haggerty with Noalimba River 9043 at 513, Jelbart Farms with Jelbart Jeronimo Roxane 15905 at 511, Jollife family with Currajugle Jeronimo Golden 2906 at 509, Anderson family with Bundalong Jeronimo Denim 3807 at 507 and Vala Holsteins with Bandares Boliana also at 507.

Throughout the top 20 list the depth of cow families represented is a highlight which is a great credit to the breeders who have developed these cow families over many generations.

Another important factor within the group is the representation of animals registered through the Appendix system  allowing breeders to work with their best animals and upgrade them to full registered status.

Two contrasting examples though both ultimately ranking with the best of the breed are Dilee Jeronimo Ollie 277 and Noalimba River 9043.

The Ollie family for the White’s represents 10 plus generations of homebred breeding commencing at Appendix 4 and progressing through the system to today. The Ollie family is now fully registered  and a source of high genetic merit males and females for the Australian industry.

At the other end of the spectrum we have Noalimba River 9043, a first time inclusion for West and Haggerty. River 9043 is just one of the animals starting the Appendix journey adding new credentialed cow families to the breed.

Congratulations to all the breeders represented in the Top 20 list. And thank you to all Holstein members who choose to register, classify, herd record and genomically test to ensure the breed in Australia continues to evolve and maintain the on-going genetic improvement delivering increased profitability to the dairy industry.