Latest breed indexes for Jersey, Friesian, Ayrshire and other breeds

The Jersey sire, River Valley Cece Chrome, strengthens his claim to the number one position in the new genetic evaluations, published today (11 August).

Having earned this place in the last proof run (April), he now breaks the £600 barrier for Profitable Lifetime Index, at PLI £605. Transmitting extreme production to his daughters, with Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) of 857kg milk, 37.5kg fat and 28.6kg protein, his Type Merit of +1.9 also makes him the leading transmitter of overall conformation.

Remaining in second position is Danish VJ Raastrup Hihl Gislev, transmitting high daughter lifespan (adding 101 days to the average herdlife) and favourable udder health (-21 SCC, -2 Mastitis). His PLI is £509.

Also retaining his top five position is Danish VJ Blanke Jason Janko, ranked third, and offering one of the highest milk component indexes in the top 10 at +0.34% fat and +0.18% protein. His PLI is £414.

Two sires level-pegging at £402 PLI round off the top five, in the shape of Danish VJ Zummit and Danish VJ Tudvad. Tudvad transmits the highest percentage fat in the top five at +0.42% and excels in udder health (-31 SCC, -4 Mastitis), Lifespan (+110) and daughter Fertility Index (+10.9).

Gaining enough milking daughters to make the official ranking, Inch Persistent becomes the new leader on the British Friesian list, with a PLI of £413. Now with 17 daughters in six herds, he is predicted to transmit high fat (19.4kg, +0.23%) and good lifespan (+104 days).

He is joined by his full brother, Inch Patrick, in second position (both are Lakemead Pinnacle sons out of Inch Blackisle Daphne 2) who shows a very similar breeding profile and has a PLI of £360.

Kirkby Malvern climbs into third place with strong production gains taking him to 418kg milk, 31.8kg fat plus protein and a PLI of £350.

The gains of the new bulls push the 99% reliable Catlane Caleb to fourth position (PLI £339), although he continues to be the breed leader for fat and protein percent, at +0.27% and +0.15% respectively. He also remains the dominant force for daughter fertility, at FI +7.9.

Rounding off the top five is Catlane Cromwell, whose good Calf Survival (CS +6.5) and cow lifespan (LI +128 days) contribute to a PLI of £326.

The application of breed purity criteria to the Ayrshire list sees the removal of the former leading bull, allowing VR Gunnarstorp Backen Gobel to move up one place to take the lead. Gobel earns a PLI of £501 and an excellent daughter Lifespan Index (+116 days).

Moving up to second position is VR Alatalon Flame Feton, whose good protein percent (+0.11%) and breed leading fertility (FI +17.1) help earn him a PLI of £454. He also has a high Type Merit at +2.1.

Remaining in third spot is Pell Pers (PLI £429), now with 1,107 UK milking daughters and displaying good udder health (-17 SCC, -2 Mastitis) and desirable maintenance (-38).

VR Kuusian Valpas Vimpula (PLI £424) moves to fourth, outranking his competition on production figures with 688kg milk and a whopping 50.6kg fat plus protein.

VR Stenkulla Vimpula Vilano holds his position in the top five with good protein percent (+0.13%) and high daughter fertility (FI +13.9). His PLI is £422.