The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Select Sires regrets to share the passing of 7HO10506 Maple-Downs-I G W ATWOOD (EX-90). At twelve years old, G W ATWOOD was one of the original genomic giants. As a young calf, he was identified as a breed leader for Type and his daughters delivered on that genomic prediction. With more than 48,000 daughters worldwide, and 31,000 classified daughters, G W ATWOOD currently ranks as the breed’s No. 3 proven sire for Type.

“He sired a predictable pattern that developed high style and show appearance, yet his daughters were the favorites of many commercial dairy producers as well. G W ATWOOD’s high sire fertility also added to his popularity,” says Kevin Jorgensen, senior Holstein sire analyst.

G W ATWOOD garnered massive attention in the show arena around the globe, earning premier sire banners and siring show-winning champions. He has sired many All-Americans and All-Canadians and his daughters will continue to attract attention for years to come.

“G W ATWOOD was one of the most popular Showcase SelectionsTM sires in Select Sires’ history and will remain in the program while he has semen available. His influence will continue as a maternal grandsire to more recent Showcase Selections’ additions 7HO12773 KENOSHA, 7HO12922 DELIGHT and 7HO13730 UNDENIED,” says Jorgensen.

Rick and Shannon Allyn, Jason Lloyd and Michael Heath were the breeders of G W ATWOOD and Select Sires is extremely thankful for the opportunity to offer his genetics to customer-owners around the world.

A limited supply of conventional and gender SELECTedTM G W ATWOOD semen remains available. Please contact your local member cooperative or World Wide Sires for availability.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of six farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.