Vikings excel at top of the Jersey rankings

In the AHDB Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) rankings for the Jersey breed, VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (PLI £472), climbs into the number one position, combining solid production (226 kg milk, 46.1 kg fat plus protein) with an exceptional EnviroCow score of +2.9.

This makes him one of the most environmentally efficient Jersey sires available.

This bull also excels when compared across breeds (see £SCI ranking), as does the number two Jersey, VJ Ravninggaard Huus Hamlet (PLI £443). Hamlet rises from fourth to second position, thanks to standout health and fertility traits. This includes a daughter Fertility Index of +16.8 and a HealthyCow of £232, supported by data from 519 UK daughters.

Former Jersey leader VJ Kibsgaard Jocko Jojo (PLI £439) now ranks third, continuing to deliver with good production (306 kg milk, 31.8 kg fat plus protein) and a strong Lifespan Index of +109 days.

VJ NR Haugaard Hays Hauga (PLI £432) holds fourth place, offering an excellent Lifespan Index (+125 days) and a well-balanced profile across production, health and efficiency.

Completing the top five is VJ Kjoelby Higher Highlan (PLI £389), climbing from ninth and earning his place with high milk quality (+0.33% fat, +0.16% protein). This bull completes a clean sweep in the top five for Viking Jerseys, which go on to fill nine of the top 10 places.

Among the Ayrshires, a new leader comes in the shape of a true all-rounder, VR Wehmais Vimo Vehmaa (PLI £560). This bull combines solid production, particularly for fat (35.2 kg, +0.36%), with strong health and fertility, resulting in a HealthyCow of £175.

Holding second for the third consecutive release is VR Hakvin (PLI £521), the breed leader for both Lifespan Index (+109 days) and EnviroCow (+3.3). He also continues to offer impressive production at 436 kg milk and 53.7 kg fat plus protein.

The UK-bred Tontine Astorwell (PLI £520) is edged into third position, maintaining his reputation for extreme production (917 kg milk, 57.6 kg fat plus protein) and environmental credentials (EnviroCow +3).

VR Venom (PLI £496) drops one spot to fourth but maintains an excellent daughter Fertility Index of +20.2.

Rising one place into fifth is VR Viljar Vilperi (£PLI 449), impressing with outstanding daughter fertility (+21), an ability to lower cell counts (SCC -24) and a HealthyCow of £245. This transmission pattern is underpinned by a genomic evaluation combined with 630 daughters.

In the Friesian ranking, Inch Next (PLI £316) retains the top spot, continuing to impress with exceptional production (296 kg milk, 28.4 kg fat plus protein), solid lifespan (+58 days) and the best EnviroCow in the breed at +1.9.

Firm in second place is Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £287), a consistent performer at 12.7 kg fat and 10.5 kg protein, with strong udder health (SCC -11) and a good daughter Fertility Index of +6.7.

Newcomer Goonhilly Isaac (PLI £283) enters in third, leading the breed for fat (+0.16%) and protein (+0.14%) and also scoring well for lifespan (+55 days) and EnviroCow (+1.7).

Dalino drops slightly to fourth but remains a solid all-rounder, offering dependable production (214 kg milk, 23.4 kg fat plus protein), the best SCC figure in the breed (-14) and good daughter fertility (+6.7).

Breaking into the top five is Bradash Patriot Red (PLI £253), rising from tenth position and delivering production of 204 kg milk and 20.9 kg fat plus protein, combined with respectable all-round health and fertility.

Young genomic Friesians

In the Friesian genomic young sire rankings, Goonhilly Coverack leads with a PLI of £320, combining good milk components (+0.14% fat, +0.11% protein) with strong health and a high daughter Fertility Index of +3.9.

Close behind is Bankhouse Distinction (PLI £317), climbing from fifth thanks to outstanding health traits, including a HealthyCow of £164 and the best EnviroCow in the breed at +1.9.

New in third is Whinnow Ambition (PLI £303), leading for milk (411 kg), with solid yields for components (21.4 kg fat plus protein) and excellent health, backed by a HealthyCow of £160.

Dr Daniel Pitt, AHDB Animal Genetics Manager, said:

"These breed-specific rankings deliver a wide range of genetic solutions for UK farming systems. Whether producers are focused on health, efficiency or production, the data highlights how different breeds can meet the diverse needs of UK agriculture."

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

VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus