February 2018

‘The changes adopted by Holstein USA to reduce the prejudice against small cows has been received by us with applause.’ Dan Weigel, who together with partner Ron Franck determines the direction of Weigeline Holsteins, is...

Just any three cows on pasture in the north German region of Oost-Friesland? Thrice no! These three cows are clearly super-producers, all three are members of the extensive D family from the Grünefeld herd and… together...

When the December HI was sent to thousands of breeders around the world two months ago with the World Champion Poster 2017, there were likely more than a few readers who were disappointed. After all, one special Holstein...

When the Holstein Association recently announced the winners of its Progressive Genetics Herd awards for 2017, the herd with the highest average TPI in the US (at 2450) was Sandy-Valley. Over the last 3 decades, numerous...

During the first edition of the breeding event Holstein Vision, RinderAllianz displayed an appealing daughter group from Snake-Red and the rumour mill had it already – the Snow son could possibly become the new nr.1 in h...

A high PTAT (America’s index for type) traditionally generates a lot of attention. This is underscored by the American Kingboy. From the outset, breeders and commercial dairy farmers have embraced the complete and especi...

‘Tarrino is currently Modesty’s highest available son, and his numbers have continued to climb,’ comments Rick VerBeek from Select Sires. ‘He comes from the Colby Taya family that is extreme for production and produces t...

Over the last 30 years, 10 generations of the Ladys-Manor Jem family have sent bulls to AI. Such family products as Winchester, Wildman, Marbach, Shamrock, Grafeeti, Olympian and Octoberfest have become prominent names t...

He is Nr.2 among the highest available black & white Dutch sires for type (see table): Lowlands Debark, owned by CRV. The DNA tested Danno son combines his 114 type with a total index of 334 gNVI, along with nice scores...

Usually in today’s genomic world, as a female ages the attention of her breeding potential is refocussed to the next generation. Luckily for Canada’s new Nr.1 Biggie, the attention on his breed-leading transmitting dam S...

Just less than two years ago, full brothers Gandy Valverde and Warren broke through on the Italian progeny proven top list. Sons of Goldday out of a Jardin dam. From a global perspective, they carry “alternative” blood a...

At the beginning of the decade, GBM Annabell, a granddaughter of GBM Blackstar Jean, made headlines in North America with unbelievable results from flushing and several well-placed offspring. Then it was quieter for the...

Several of his daughters and granddaughters are among the most distinguished brood cows in Canada. In addition, his name shines in the pedigrees of world champion Toc-Farm Allen Amyly and the world record holder for kg m...

No, the Nr.1 female in Australia is not a young calf by a hot genomic sire. It is 3rd lactation Glomar Lucky 4319 VG-87 (394 BPI; photo) who is sired by the 99% reliable Goldwyn. Lucky, who has held the Nr.1 BPI position...

One can still find them, those genomic outliers from unfamiliar herds, unfamiliar families and unusual sire stacks. Eleven-month-old Bertoni Holsteins Grana is exactly such an individual. Bred in the commercial Bertoni h...

Whether or not to use dry cow treatment, housing in one or two groups, a dry period of six weeks or is eight weeks better? Experts think differently about the ideal dry period. What all experts do agree on, though, is th...