ABS Australia bulls have cemented their place at the top of the nation’s Holstein genetics once again — proof in a season of shifting goalposts, consistency still counts.
The staying power of Jeronimo P and Hoogerhorst Dg Rubels Red comes despite a major shake-up to the National Breeding Objective — and a reshuffle of Australian Breeding Values.
Red sire Rubels Red sits at number three on the proven ABV rankings, continuing as one of ABS’s biggest sellers with a balance of production, type and strength.
Long-time heavyweight Jeronimo P sits in fourth spot, extending an extraordinary run that has never seen him fall outside the top five since becoming proven in August 2021.
With 2634 milking daughters and exceptional health traits, he continues to return profit to farmers across Australia.
ABS Australia business operations manager Bruce Ronalds said consistency was what dairy farmers want because it delivered profit.
“Bulls come and go, but the ones that keep delivering year after year are the ones that farmers can confidently build herds around,” he said.
“You couldn’t ask for a tougher test than a recalculation of the ABVs, it shows that many in the ABS stable are genuinely strong, balanced and profitable animals.”
One bull to benefit from these changes has been Flowrider — a former high genomic sire — he’s been elevated to sixth on the ABV proven rankings due to high high health traits.
Genomic gems
On the cusp of becoming a proven Australia sire, Ttm Ellis-PP — now with 120 milking daughters in his proof in more 18 herds — sits at 618 Balanced Performance Index (BPI).
Exceeding his genomic prediction, the polled sire’s now 110 on type, 104 on udders, 109 mastitis resistance and one of the breed leaders for somatic cell count.
Jake and Melissa Hinkley have eight Ellis-PP daughters in their 240 herd at Carpendeit, Victoria.
Ellis-PP was selected because of his polled and A2 genetics, with Jake and Melissa seeking productive, but low maintenance animals.
“I want to run the farm by myself, not have staff, so I want to minimise jobs — such as dehorning — to make life easier for myself,” Jake said.
“Ellis fits that requirement, he delivers nice sound cows that do everything right.”
The Genomic list, again, showcased ABS’ dominance in the PP or homozygous polled ABV genomic rankings.
ABS has the top seven genomic PP Holstein bulls and 14 of the top 20 to 70 per cent of Australia’s top Holstein PP genomic bulls.
The highest ranked PP bull is Denovo 23176 Highfert PP and sits at number 11 on the ABV genomic rankings.
Jerseys for every system
On the Jersey front, big-production sire Forest Glen Craze Tripp re-enters the top echelon of the proven list because of the new breeding priorities — sitting high for ASI at 380 and the highest milk bull in the proven list.
This comes as Cal-Mart Dino, in the ABS genomic Jersey offering has remained a staple at the pointy-end of the rankings, sitting at number 10.
Dino is winning favour fast, thanks to his 105 daughter fertility, 109 mastitis resistance and valuable outcross bloodlines that breeders are keen to tap into.
His son Daytona sits at 12 with positive type, improved mastitis resistance and 104 daughter fertility, while Kaarmona Jeronimo Brady continues to punch above his weight, holding at 17 and retaining his status as one of the most in-demand Jersey sires of his era.
Breeders rate him for his overall type at 114 and udders 113 — and his ASI of 364.
This is all underpinned by the success of his dam.
Also among the breeds’ best is Miami Heathstar at 402 BPI.
With outstanding type, udders and 107 daughter fertility, he continues to be a popular choice for Jersey breeders.
Reds on the rise
Norway’s heavy-hitter NR Skoienhas muscled into the Australian genomic list at 16, and at 382 BPI, he’s quickly becoming a bull to watch.
ABS picked him up early, and with daughters milking on both sides of the world, his strength in health and production is showing up where it counts — in the vat.
In the proven rankings, big production bull Sausvatn PP continues his run at the top end of the nation’s red genetics, sitting at three at 330 BPI which creating 100 per cent polled progeny.
