West Gippsland dairy farmer Megan Coster said her four ABS JERONIMO- P’s are a “pleasure to milk” and also have “very good udders”.
Homegrown genomic Jersey sires are leading the pack, while breed-leading Holstein sires have continued their market dominance in the latest Australian Breeding Values (ABV) release.
This comes as Norwegian Red, and farmer favourite, ONSTAD-P has claimed the coveted top spot on the Red breed ABV proven sire rankings with a BPI$ of 388.
This August ABV release is one of the most successful for ABS, proving its pursuit of quality sires for Australian conditions is paying dividends.
With five of the top 10 Australian proven Holsteins, including the record-breaking polled and A2 sire ABS JERONIMO-P at number one and high type sire De-Su 14030 WRIGLEY-ET in second place, ABS Australia Business Operations Manager Bruce Ronalds said consistency has been the key.
“Top Holstein genomic sires have become top proven sires, while big-selling sires such as Rosylane-LLC SPOCK and De-Su 13530 SEVILLE have held their positions and it’s nice to see consistency,” he said.
“Farmers already milking daughters of these top Holsteins are telling us they have been so impressed with the progeny, that they want more semen.”
Describing the Jersey genomic offering as the “strongest breed offering” for up to seven years with ABS having five of the top ten genomic Jersey sires, Bruce said a stand-out was the highest-ranked single-P bull in Australia Brookbora BUSHFIELD (CSCBUSHFIELD) at 345 BPI$.
For Red breed enthusiasts, it’s hard to go past ONSTAD-P. He’s been the most popular Red sire in Australia during the past 12 months and now, thanks to the introduction of genomics for Red dairy breeds, his sons have a chance to shine.
“Two ONSTAD-P sons are now available in Australia, STORFLOR and JO-ONSTAD, and according to their genomics, they are on track to deliver in the vat – just like their father,” Bruce said.
“Genomics isn’t available for daughter fertility but, given the strength of this vital trait in ONSTAD-P’s proof at 108, we are expecting big things from the next generation.”
Both genomic sires are more than 250 BPI$ which puts them amongst the best of other overseas bulls.
ONSTAD-P progeny are spread throughout Australia, and this isn’t surprising as he’s ranked 300 ASI – an indicator of extremely high production – 107 for type, 104 for udders and 108 for daughter fertility.
Ticking all the important profit boxes, and available as a sexed genetic product, Bruce said ONSTAD-P’s progeny were also pleasant in the dairy. “He’s ranked 104 for temperament, the highest of any sire in the Good Bulls Guide.
Given his ranking is so high, he really is one of the best all-round bulls,” he said. “Add to this a farmer likeability rating of 107, it’s no surprise his semen is in demand.”
Southwest Victorian dairy farmer Owen Simpson is milking several heifers and young cows sired by ONSTAD-P in a 640-strong herd and they are making a statement.
“They are fantastic cows, they are real working cattle,” he said. “ONSTAD-P has fertility, strength, capacity and his production is very good. There are not many sires that are positive for litres and components and have a combination of all those traits.”
Holstein heaven
Australia’s top proven Holstein sire ABS JERONIMO-P has been breaking records and impressing farmers for some time now. Now he is the highest ever bull to get a full Australian proof at 525 BPI$.
His rise comes off the back of incredible genomic results driven by phenomenal health traits and high production, but as more ABS JERONIMO- P’s enter Australian herds, farmers are appreciating his other benefits.
“Ranked 105 for farmer likeability, now that is telling us something,” Bruce said. “He sits at 112 for daughter fertility, 107 for mastitis resistance and 111 for survival. When it comes to health traits, he really is elite.”
West Gippsland dairy farmer Megan Coster said her four ABS JERONIMO- P’s are a “pleasure to milk” and also have “very good udders”. “We have a further 14 daughters to calve next year and 30 the following year and we look forward to them coming into the herd,” she said.
“They are consistent, being predominately black and the polled gene makes them not only exciting animals to milk but to also breed from.”