Top butterfat and efficiency from leading proven Holstein sire

Genetic evaluations for daughter-proven Holstein dairy sires have been published by AHDB this month in the first major reranking since summer and former leader, OCD Trooper Sheepster, holds firmly on to his lead.

An improvement in Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) to £783 reflects increases in Predicted Transmitting Abilities for fat (now 52.7 kg) and the lifespan of daughters, which are expected to live 110 days longer than average.

His sons, too, are showing similar promise as Sheepster is sire of three bulls in the top 10 of the new young sire genomic ranking.

This bull also has an EnviroCow score of 4.1, which makes him joint breed leader for environmental credentials of all proven sires.

Peak AltaSeverus also remains firm in second place, excelling in daughter fertility (+12.7) and udder health (-20 SCC, -2 Mastitis). His PLI stands at £764 and is supported by a strong HealthyCow index of £185.

Peak Powerhouse, a new entrant in third position, truly is packed with production, his PLI of £746 representing the highest milk transmission in the top 10 (1,067kg), while he also delivers extreme protein (43.4 kg).

In fourth place, SDG-PH Delux Dominance combines high fat (51.2 kg, +0.21%) with a PLI of £744, making him a good choice for herds looking to increase milk solids production.

Climbing to fifth at £710 PLI, Plain-Knoll Renegad Trooper stands out as one of the breed’s top lifespan bulls at +171 days.

Graduating to the proven list in sixth position, OCD Deluxe T Rex (PLI £704) demonstrates excellent SCC figures (-17) and strong calf survival (+2.5), offering robustness from day one.

The well-known Genosource Captain solidifies his position as a top sire, now backed by 2,794 UK milking daughters, among thousands more worldwide.

Captain’s PLI is £696, and an impressive FeedAdvantage score of 256 kg demonstrates that daughters are efficient converters of feed into milk.

Winstar Graziano climbs two places to eighth (PLI £694) with superior milk solids (+0.34% fat, +0.14% protein), adding value to every litre his daughters produce.

Completing the top 10 are two exciting new entrants: Peak AltaSolace (PLI £683) shines with exceptional udder health (-32 SCC) and strong daughter fertility (+13), earning a HealthyCow of £231; and Wilra SSI Faneca Ebersol, a former genomic leader in 2022, now confirms his early promise with a PLI of £680.

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics, AHDB, says:

“It’s gratifying to see consistency and quality through these proven sire rankings as tried-and-tested bulls continue to deliver quality milk from healthier cows for UK producers.

“A steady introduction of newcomers coming in with each proof run is exactly as it should be, not only adding new interest to the rankings but reinforcing the success of the genomic testing programmes from which they have graduated.” 

OCD Trooper Sheepster