The official August genetic evaluations have been released.
Though few changes were implemented in this month’s proofs by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, there is no shortage of re-ranking. After the genomic Holstein Cheese Merit (CM$), Net Merit (NM$), and Total Performance Index (TPI) lists were headed up by StGen Cowen Thorson-ET for three straight runs, the CM$ and NM$ lists have now seen a new top performer in each of the last two proofs. This month, Peak Altitude-ET ascended to the top of both with a $1,352 CM$ and $1,329 NM$. Ladys-Manor Smoke Owen-ET remained the leader for GTPI.
On the proven side, Mr Ri-Val-Re Free Billy-ET climbed up from second on the CM$ and NM$ lists in April to first this time around. He displaced Mr T-Spruce Frazz Lionel, who remains in the top five for both categories behind only Genosource Captain-ET and his clones Genosource John-ETN and Genosource Jack-ETN. Those three bulls remain tied at the top of the proven TPI list.
Notably, this marks the first time that the top 50 proven Holstein bulls for both CM$ and NM$ are all over $1,000 CM$ or NM$.
The Jersey breed only saw one new leader among our lists, but it is significant because Cal-Mart Shortshop-ET’s rise to the top of the genomic CM$ list marks the first time Vierra Theboss {6}-ET hasn’t held that spot since December 2021.
Many rankings among the other breeds remained similar, but there is a new top proven CM$ among Red and Whites. That’s Dewgood 737 Boeing P-Red.
By the numbers
A.I. organizations reported 6,699 bulls active to the National Association for Animal Breeders (NAAB) for this proof round, which is 243 more than were reported in April. Of these, 4,520 were genomic bulls, giving young sires a 67% market share. This is down just slightly from the 68% share they made up in both the April 2023 and December 2022 evaluations.
Holstein sires reported totaled 5,481 in all, and 898 Jersey bulls were included. Those two breeds make up 95% of all bulls reported and more than 96% of all genomic bulls reported.
You can access the full sire rankings for all breeds now.
August 2023 Hoard's Dairyman Bull List
Top 50 Genomic Holstein Net Merit $, Cheese Merit $, and TPI
Top 50 Daughter Proven Holstein Net Merit $, Cheese Merit $, and TPI
Top 25 Holstein SCE and Jersey CM$ and JPI
