Bull Genomic Predictors Proving Close to Mark

UK - Young Holstein sires are living close to expectations laid out by their genomic indicators through the performance of their progeny.
calendar icon 26 January 2015
clock icon 1 minute read

Successful progression from genomic proofs to daughter-proven status in 3,001 young bulls is being trumpeted by Marco Winter, DairyCo's head of genetics. 

Their genomic average profitable lifetime index (PLI) of £100 at 69 per cent reliability has translated to a daughter-proven average PLI of £101 at 81 per cent reliability. 

“The major production, management and functional type traits for these bulls show a strong average correlation from genomic to daughter-proof of 0.88, permitting farmers to use genomic young sires with increased confidence,” said Mr Winters. In DairyCo's December 2014 proof run, an example of this in practice is a group of three Holsteins that ranked highly on genomic proofs, all of which have made a successful transition to daughter-proof.

Genervations Lexor entered the UK's top 25 sires for daughter-based PLI at £498, combined with +2.47 genomic Type Merit (TM). According to Sterling Sires Livestock Manager Simon Gee, six UK daughters have been classified so far averaging GP84.5.

Mr Gee said: "Among management traits, he is close to ideal, being positive for calving ease, fertility and lifespan, and a cell count reducer."

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