Top British Friesian from Northern Irish herd

A newly available British Friesian sire from the award-winning Inch herd in Northern Ireland, has claimed the top spot in the breed Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) rankings, published today by AHDB.

Inch Next (by Catlane Chad and out of a Hylke dam) has a PLI of £334 and delivers outstanding production (265kg milk, 31.3kg fat plus protein), strong udder health (-5 SCC, -3 Mastitis), and an excellent EnviroCow score of 1.9.

Previous front-runner, Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £307), now holds second place. He continues to excel in yields of fat (13.3kg) and protein (10.5kg), boasts strong somatic cell count control (-11 SCC), and a high EnviroCow score (1.6).

Climbing from fourth to third is Dalino (PLI £299). He delivers exceptional all-round production (228kg milk, 25.3kg fat plus protein) alongside remarkable SCC improvement (-15).

Catlane Cromwell (PLI £257) now ranks fourth, continuing to stand out for his strong health credentials, including -7 SCC, -3 Mastitis, and a HealthyCow of £182.

Rounding off the top five is Inch Hearty (PLI £226), remaining a well-balanced performer. He stands out for his longevity (Lifespan Index +58 days) and solid figures across production, daughter fertility, HealthyCow and EnviroCow.

Young genomic Friesians

The Friesian genomic young sire rankings remain largely unchanged at the top, with Wyevalley Veritas holding on to first place (PLI £315) and maintaining a strong HealthyCow score of £157. Goonhilly Coverack (PLI £313) also retains his second position, offering solid overall health traits and a high daughter Fertility Index (3.7).

A notable mover is Beaufort Supersonic, climbing from seventh to third, driven by excellent production (395kg milk, 29kg fat plus protein) alongside good health. His PLI is £306.

Jersey

Within the Jersey breed, VJ Kibsgaard Jocko Jojo retains his position at the top of the list with a PLI of £500. His strong production figures (402kg milk, 39.6kg fat plus protein) are complemented by excellent lifespan (+100 days) and good mastitis resistance (-2).

Climbing up to second place is VJ NR Haugaart Hays Hauga (PLI £414). Previously ranked fourth, he stands out for his exceptional daughter Fertility Index of 12.2.

Holding firm in third is VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (PLI £399), continuing to impress with an outstanding EnviroCow of 2.6 alongside solid all-round production.

A notable jump to fourth comes from VJ Ravninggaard Huus Hamlet (£PLI 382). Previously sixth, he boasts an exceptional daughter Fertility Index (15.7) and an outstanding HealthyCow of £197, now with over 400 UK daughters contributing to his evaluation.

Rounding off the top five is Forest Glen Westport Becks (PLI £377). Newly graduating from the young sire genomic list in December, he delivers great overall production (342kg milk, 42.5kg fat plus protein).

For the third consecutive time, the UK-bred Tontine Astorwell proves unbeatable at the top of the Ayrshire rankings and boasts an impressive PLI of £543. This reflects his extreme production figures (845kg milk, 57.6kg fat plus protein), and an outstanding EnviroCow of 3.

Holding firm in second place is VR Hakvin (PLI £502). He continues to deliver with strong longevity (LS 88), a daughter Fertility Index of 10.3, and well-balanced production.

Also maintaining his position in third is VR Venom (£PLI 492), with an exceptional Fertility Index of 20.3.

Making a significant leap from eighth to fourth is VR Solvarp Hjuve Hosea (PLI £444). This bull stands out for his exceptional yields of fat (38.6kg, +0.28%) and protein (24.3kg) along with long lifespans (+100 days).

Rounding off the top five is VR Vilano (PLI £440), previously ranked fourth. Vilano continues to impress with solid all-round production (413kg milk, 46.0kg fat plus protein) and a good Fertility Index of 9.3.

Dr Daniel Pitt, Animal Genetics Manager at AHDB, said:

"Producers seek genetics for these dairy breeds from many countries around the world, which means the importance of using UK-equivalent figures cannot be over-emphasised.

"The only accurate way to compare, say a Scandinavian with an American or New Zealand Jersey is to use the UK-equivalent figures calculated independently by AHDB, and I would urge producers to do so."

Other dairy breed indexes are published on our website, where the Montbéliarde, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Shorthorn and Fleckvieh are all represented.

Inch Blackisle Daphne 2 EX 92