With the latest genetic evaluations released this morning, here are some highlights from Cogent's Speciality Breeds offering.
British friesians
Following the AHDB August evaluation run, we are delighted to be the home of the new number 1 PLI Genomic Friesian sire. At £341 PLI, Bankhouse Distinction is a new release for Cogent, that looks set to be extremely popular. Distinction is one of the most complete sires available, offering improvements for Milk (57kgs), Components (0.11% Fat and 0.08% Proteins), Health traits (101 Lifespan, 1.3 Fertility, -7 SCC) and Type (0.76).
Inch Mint is another highlight and another sire in the top 5 PLI rankings (£294). Mint is also the number 2 Type Merit (1.61) Genomic Friesian sire, making him a hot prospect for the Autumn. Mint offers high Milk (114kgs), High Fertility (3.3) and High Components (0.08% Fat and 0.05% Protein), combined with daughters that have more strength and rump width than average.
At No.1 Type Merit (1.69) is Bankhouse Braveheart, who is also the No.1 Mammary (1.64) improver on the available lists. Like Distinction and Mint, Braveheart also offers positive improvements for Milk (88kgs), Components (0.03% Fat and 0.05% Protein) and Fertility (0.7), whilst being a sire that excels for Calving Ease (1.4)
Another new release sire, Newbarton Ready For It makes his debut as the No.1 Milk sire available at 356kgs, which is combined with positive Component percentages (0.05% Fat and 0.04% Protein) and excellent calving ease (1.2).
Looking to a more familiar name, Bradash Patriot Red remained as solid as ever at £225 PLI, 1.19 Type and 264kgs Milk, reinforcing the exceptional overall proof run for the Cogent Friesian line up, that is now exclusively available in 4M Ultraplus High Purity sexed semen.
Jersey
The No.1 combined Fat and Protein Jersey sire by some distance is new release bull, FB World Classic, who makes his official debut in the top 10 PLI rankings. World Classic comes with a different pedigree and is a production specialist.
No.1 for Type Merit is Mr Chrome Laspada who has been a popular sire for some time. His combination of PLI (£317) and Conformation traits is a clear strength of this bull.
Number 3 on Type Merit is the UK bred, Rivermead Casino Addiction, showing that UK genetics can compete with the best in the world. Addiction is an udder specialist that drives Milk (223kgs) and Fertility (+4.1). Addiction also has an interesting son that is a new release sire, Bayview Addiction Earl who comes from the same cow family as the popular Bayview Explore. Like Addiction, Earl offers improvements for Milk, Fertility and Type.
For those looking for a different pedigree and extreme Components, another UK bred new release might be a bull to look towards. Bayview Hamulus Erling is an A2A2 and BB sire that offers significant Component improvements (0.08% Fat and 0.12% Protein) whilst being one of the biggest Fertility improvers (+6) in the breed.
Dalhem Zodi Helios is another new release sire that offers huge improvements for Milk (508kgs) and Mammary (0.8), and comes from the Dalhem herd in Devon. His pedigree is a unique one, full of cows with exceptional production records.
We are excited to offer such a diverse range of Jersey genetics to UK producers, all exclusively in 4M Ultraplus High Purity Sexed semen in order to maximise the number of elite heifer calves born.
Whatever your dairy needs we will have a bull to suite your system so get in touch today with your local Genetics Consultant or call us for free on 0800 783 7258.