A new, number one, daughter-proven sire makes his debut in the August genetic evaluations, published today (8 August) by AHDB. 

Graduating from the genomic rankings, Wilra Knowhow, a son of De-Su 14222 Kenobi, earns a Profitable Lifetime Index of £852, thanks to the contribution of his early milking daughters. Outstanding features of Knowhow’s Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) include protein of 37.5kg, the highest of the top 10 proven sires, and good udder health (-23 SCC and -2 Mastitis).

Former number one, Genosource Captain, now ranks second (PLI £807) and continues to display high fat (45.3kg) with excellent Maintenance (-21) and Feed Advantage (235). Captain also transmits very good Calf Survival at 3.1. 

Another new graduate is the third-ranking Bomaz Kettle, also a son of Kenobi. Kettle adds a handful of UK daughters to those milking around the world and earns a high weight of fat at 45.4kg and a PLI of £775.

Exceptional milk quality transmitter, Progenesis Wimbledon, rises from seventh to fourth position, now with a PLI of £756. He combines 0.39% fat with 0.25% protein, as well as an excellent daughter Fertility Index of 13.6.

Climbing into the top 10 for the first time, Denovo 15567 Kimmel is the third son of Kenobi to feature, now ranking fifth. With a PTA for milk of 963kg, he transmits the highest weight of milk in the top 10.

Bomaz Complex also sees improvements, to now rank in sixth position, with a PLI of £726 and high fat percent (+0.36). And with over 1,000 UK daughters now milking, Denovo 7899 Archer holds firm with a PLI of £724 and has the best Lameness Advantage in the top 10 (+4.0).

The solid production figures of Peak AltaPlinko earn him his debut in eighth position, with a PLI of £721.

Moving up to ninth position is Hul-Stein Party Time with a PLI of £715 and an impressive 45.7kg fat, thanks in part to his 474 daughters milking in the UK.

Rounding off the top 10 is Pine-Tree CW Legacy, the outstanding health improver of the group (HealthyCow 331) who features the best udder health (-30 SCC, -3 Mastitis), highest daughter fertility (FI +15.1) and longest lifespans (LS +189 days).

For the complete list of available bulls, please visit the AHDB website. 

A table of the top 20 available Holstein bulls with a daughter proof ranked on the latest PLI (August 2023) appears below. Type Merit is supplied by Holstein UK.

Notes to editors

AHDB is a statutory levy board funded by farmers and others in the supply chain. Our purpose is to be a critical enabler, to positively influence outcomes, allowing farmers and others in the supply chain to be competitive, successful and share good practice. We equip levy payers with easy-to-use products, tools and services to help them make informed decisions and improve business performance. Established in 2008 and classified as a Non-Departmental Public Body, AHDB supports the following industries: meat and livestock (Beef, Lamb and Pork) in England; Dairy in Great Britain; and Cereals and Oilseeds in the UK. For further information visit ahdb.org.uk.

A Welsh language version of this release is available on request, please contact menna.davies@ahdb.org.uk.

Contact

For further information contact AHDB press.office@ahdb.org.uk  or 024 7647 8800.

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