Agri-Views - Issue 5

Agri-Views Newsletter
Issue 5 - April 2009

HOLSTEIN
French Proof Highlights & New Release Sires - February 2009 saw the release of the latest French Holstein proofs from which a few new Holstein sires will be released to the Australian market. The new No.1 bull in France is USONET FIN, a Finley son who has exceptional production with very good functional and type traits. He added another 20 daughters and again improved for Overall Type and Udders, his first Australian semen shipment arrived in March 2009.

Other new bulls from France include TARTARE, a Dutch Boy x Convincer bull who is a top 10 ISU sire with positive components and good type and TITOS DRI, an exciting outcross sire to the Australian market. He is a son of the leading sire in France for fertility, cell counts and longevity MERDRIGNAC. Titos is the type of all round sire we have been searching for and he ticks all the boxes for the modern Holstein breeder. He offers positive fat and protein deviations, very good type with excellent health traits. He is backed by a proven cow family that has 10 generations of VG or Excellent cows with an average of 87.8 points; his daughters are of good stature with plenty of capacity, very good udders with perfectly sloped rumps.

The other standout from the French proofs was the amazing second crop performance of ‘R’ generation bulls that have been heavily used in Australia. Leading these bulls is Sire of Sons ROUKI who added almost 4000 second crop daughters and jumped to +3.1 for Overall Type and +2.0 for Udders an increase of +0.6 and +0.5 respectively. At 94 for calving ease, Rouki is one of the best type, production and calving ease bulls in the breed.

Rouki’s full brother REXONDI also added over 3000 second crop daughters and increased +0.6 for both type and udders while their JOCKO maternal brother RADICAL added over 1100 daughters, maintained his good type rating and increased for production to now be surely one of Jocko’s very best sons for Fat at 45 Kgs and +2.4%. RONLY who has been heavily used in Australia added 2212 second crop daughters and is now +2.4 for Overall Type and +2.0 for Udders. Ronly also has very impressive health and secondary traits and will improve cell counts, fertility and longevity. All of these second crop French bulls will have milking daughters in Australia this year with Ronly set to get his first official Australian proof in April with over 250 daughters.

USA Proof Highlights - Probstland ERNESTO added another 79 daughters to his production proof and 77 to his type in the January proof. He now has 130 daughters in milk and has climbed to the 11th spot on the USA TPI Sire list. His type has increased to +2.72 and his excellent udder score of +3.52 makes him the No.5 udder sire available in the USA. Sexed Semen is still in huge demand, be sure to get your orders in early.

New Red & White Holstein sire is Hurtgen-Vue REALITY-Red, who is a September Storm son from a 3x EX Renaissance dam. The latest January proofs saw him almost double the number of milking daughters he had in his proof to now have 116 and is the No.1 TPI Red bull in the US. His Type has also increased to +2.83, +2.46 for Udders and a high +4.07 for Feet and Legs which makes him the No.1 Feet & Leg Sire in the US.

Agri-Gene is excited to announce the arrival of new Gold Label sire - Windy-Knoll-View PERSIST who hails from the famous Pala cow family in the US. His dam is the famous Windy-Knoll-View Pledge EX95 who has done it all on the tanbark in North America and don’t forget about his world renown Grand Dam, Windy-Knoll-View Promis EX95 who is also no stranger to the show ring or AI Industry. Persist is a maternal brother to Phoenix, Park, Platinum, Pine and Plato who are all been sampled by Taurus in the USA.

The 2009 Holstein Progeny Test Sire Directory is now available and includes elite young bulls from Australia, USA, Canada and Europe. The Directory includes two new Red Holsteins which will also be available as SEXED SEMEN sires - West Port Goldwyn Badger who is a Red Carrier Goldwyn son from one of the most noted families in Red breeding who have produced proven sons Bravisi-Red, Bruno-Red and Bradoc-Red. REDBADGER’s dam is one of the top Red & White LPI cows in Canada and was 3rd place for the Global Red Cow of the Year in 2008. Next dam Aldonhill Brilliance Red VG88 who is a stand out for high components, longevity and high LPI which contributed to her being a finalist for Cow of the Year in 2007 by Holstein International.

The other exciting Red Holstein Progeny Test Sire is Lismore Advent Rambo – ET RC who is sired by one of the most popular Red Holstein sires Advent. REDRAMBO is straight out of the Blackrose family with his dam being an EX91 Outside, next dam is Leader Rose EX91 2E, the next dam of Talent and the third dam Blackrose EX96 herself.

Recent Highlights – At the recent Camden Show in NSW Honorable Mention Junior Champion was occupied by Highyield Adriando Betty owned by BF & BW Partnership. Betty was sired by former Progeny Test sire ADRIANDO who is a son of the German proven sire Laudan from the No.1 French cow Tanche EX90. This cow family is one of the most contracted cow families in Europe. A bull from this year’s PT team is out of a full sister to Adriano, he is a Billion son called BILLCOOPER.

In the latest All-Australian Holstein Competition a daughter sired by SHREK was a finalist.

Superb reports on ALANTA daughters in milk displaying good udders, great frames and ideal teat placement.

NSW & QLD Agri-Gene Area Representative – Brad Gavenlock reports that Woodside Park Holsteins are very happy with there Sexed ERNESTO results. They said he is the Fertility Sexed bull they have used and they are still using more on there first batch. They got 70% conception rates with all Heifers calves and they all calved with on problems and small calves.

International Dairy Week 2009 - Further success for PVPOLICY saw one of his daughters Arrallik Policy Meg take out the Junior Championship at IDW. In addition to this outstanding achievement Policy Meg was awarded Junior Champion at the NSW State Youth Show in 2008. Also there have been 34 daughters classified through Holstein Australia – 97% GP or better.

JERSEY
New Release Sires - Agri-Gene is proud to introduce two new Gold Label sires for 2009, Ferns FASHION ICON and BW ILLUSIONIST. Fashion Icon is an Amedeo son who hails from the 2008 Select Sires best Sambo Daughter in the USA, Family Hill Sambo Fern EX94 who offers generations of EX cows & combines some of the breed’s best genetics.

BW Illusionist is a BW Legion son from an EX Illusion cow, the next dam is an EX92 Sambo daughter. Don’t miss this great opportunity in using the great combination of Brentwood’s finest with Anthem EX95.

New release proven sires include; Sunset Canyon MAGNITUDE and Richies Jace TBONE A364. Magnitude is a “Component King” who is a full brother to the Sexed Semen Specialist Maximum. Magnitude is ranked amongst the Top 10 sires in the USA for Fat, Fat % and Protein %.

Tbone is a Jace son out of a VG86 Lemvig daughter who has good type, production, components and is ranked amongst the Top 10 sires in the USA for JPI, Fat, Protein, CM$, NM$, Type, Teat Placement, JUI, Dairy Form and Foot Angle.

Recent Highlights – At the recent successful Bushlea 90+ Jersey Sale the top price of $12,000 was paid for Bushlea Action Fernleaf 5th who is a full sister to popular Progeny Test Sire – BRACTION.

Agri-Gene are also receiving good reports on the first SPARTICUS daughters that are coming into milk with a Sparticus daughter from Lindsay & Shirley Wilson’s Shirlinn herd taking out Reserve Intermediate Champion in the Hunter Valley On Farm Challenge. Sparticus is a Flowerpower son from the well known Fleurieu Astound Selly.

Brad Gavenlock also reports that he seen some really nice Sparticus daughters. They are big, deep ribbed cows with good chest width, dairy bone and great udders with really good texture. Brad has also seen some outstanding SPECIAL FORCES heifers. They display nice bone quality and are big capacity heifers with a heap of chest width.

Northern Vic & Riverina Agri-Gene Area Representative – John Dickinson reports that Invergelly Jerseys are extremely happy with there Sexed Semen results. They have used 48 doses of Sexed MAXIMUM resulting in a 60% conception rate.

International Dairy Week - SPIRITUAL was creating all the excitement at the recent IDW, the feedback was very encouraging from Jersey enthusiasts who inspected 2nd crop daughters at Jugiong Jerseys. In the IDW Showcase Jersey Sale, this was the first time a Spiritual daughter was offered at auction. The classy 2nd lactation exhibit, Riverside Spiritual Lori VHC90 sold for $3,500.

“King of the Ring” Sire Giprat BELLES JADE once again excelled at the 2009 International Dairy Week. Last year’s Reserve Junior Champion Jamber Jade Lady HC+87 occupied the Reserve Intermediate Championship. In addition to this outstanding achievement Jade also sired the winning Junior 2 year old in milk class with last year’s Junior Champion ALT Belles Chanel and Brunchilli Jades Girl VHC90 took out the Senior 3 year old in milk Class.

Progeny of the great type sire Lester SAMBO continued to dominate in the show ring with Brunchilli Sambo Eileen 3rd VHC91 placing first in the Junior 3 year old in milk class & was crowned Intermediate Champion & Grand Champion. Sambo also dominated in the 6 year old in milk class with Brunchilli S Tammy VHC92 taking out the class & winning Champion Cow. Her herd mate & last year’s Reserve Champion Jersey - Brunchilli Sambo Noelene VHC91 was placed second place in the class and went onto claim Honorable Mention Champion Jersey Cow.

Both the 4 year old in milk class & aged cow class were won & sired by former Agri-Gene Gold Label sires – Brunchilli BC Eileen VHC91 sired by Belles CONNECTION and Brunchilli J Passion VHC91 taking out the aged cow class, sired by Rapid Bay JETSON. She went on to win Reserve Champion Cow in the Championship line-up.

This demonstrates the success of our Gold Label program with Belles Jade, Lester Sambo, Rapid Bay Jetson and Belles Connection all being introduced into Australia as Gold Label sires. The popular Gold Label program continues with our 2009 line-up which includes; Family Hill RINGMASTER, Topshelf Ringmaster COCO, BW ILLUSIONIST, Ferns FASHION ICON, Bridon SC EXCAVATE, Prophecy, Trouble, Elliotts Deluxe VERDICT, Elliotts Golden VOLTAGE and Elliotts SD VALIANT.

Sale Results - Another highlight from the IDW Showcase Jersey Sale was Progeny Test sire Fluerieu SYMBOL’s full sister Fleurieu Blair Selly - ET topping the sale at $7,100.

ILLAWARRA
New Release Sires - Agri-Gene is proud to introduce two new Illawarra PT sires for 2009, Panorama LANDMINE and Glenbrook Tornado (GLENADO). Landmine is an Australian bull bred from an admired cow family who combines his dam’s superb components with his high Indexing sire Monarch. His MGD Panorama Lady 38th EX1 was placed 1st aged cow in the 05 Real Australian photo competition and is a 3x Brisbane Royal Champion. GLENDADO is a Monarch son from Glenbrook Duchess 10th EX3E who was crowned Champ Cow at Adelaide Royal in 2002, 03 & 05. She was also the winner of the Australian Illawarra Photographic Competition in 04 & 05.

Recent Highlights – Llandovery Rangers Verbena 2nd who is LCVIGOROUS’s sister was recently acknowledged as the winner of the Aged Cow All-World Red Challenge Photographic Competition. In addition to this achievement Verbena was also the winner of this competition last year, four to five year old.

International Dairy Week - Glenbrook STARTRUMP sired the Intermediate Champion Cow at International Dairy Week - Winganna Startrump Handsome.

AYRSHIRE
New Release Sires - Maple-Dell Modem DIEGO - ET is a new release Modem son from Maple-Dell Zorro Dafourth EX94 who was the Reserve All-American 4 year old, Grand Champion Mid-Atlantic National Show and Reserve Grand Champion Ayrshire Cow at the WDE in 2006. She was also the Reserve All-American Junior 3 year old in 2005.

International Dairy Week - Neillunga DIDJA ENJOY IT sired the winner of the under 6 month heifer class - Torgannah Joyous Rose. Ardrossan EV Kates TRIDENT sired the Champion & Grand Champion Cow – Geelunga Tri Star. Unfortunately there are no longer stocks of Trident. Here is your chance to purchase semen from his best proven son Plum-Bottom Trident’s LOT.

GUERNSEY
New Release Sires – Agri-Gene is excited to announce the arrival of new proven sire - Tiresford PEDRO who hails from an excellent cow family in the UK. His dam Tiresford Carmen 2nd EX94 has won the “Super Cow” Trophy & Supreme Champion at the European Dairy Faming Event.

International Dairy Week - Old Homestead DIVIDEND sired the winner of the following classes; 12-18 month class - Glenally Dividend Mintie, 3 yr old in milk class - Maid View Dividends Flame and the Dry Cow class - Glenally Div Ronnie. Marloo Action Mabel who is a full sister to Agri-Gene Guernsey PT sire Marglyn Action MERVYN placed 1st in the 2 yr old dry class.

ANGUS
New Release Sires – Agri-Gene is excited to announce the arrival of five exciting new proven sires for 2009, they include; B/R AMBUSH 28 is the No.1 $Beef bull in the breed. He is a proven outcross to most other high $Beef pedigrees and is the No.1 Marbling bull in the breed amongst all USA sires over +60 for $Beef. He is also in the Top 1% of the breed for CE Direct, Gestation Length, 200 & 400 Day Weight, CW, Retail Yield plus Short Fed and Terminal $Indexes.

GAR NEW DESIGN 5050 is one of the best ‘Value Added’ bulls in the business. In the USA 5050 ranks No.3 for $Beef, No.2 for Docility and excels for low BW and high Growth. 5050 is a high use sire in the USA where his data for calving ease, performance and end-product value just keep getting stronger.

HIGHLANDER OF STERN was one of the highest selling semen sires in New Zealand for 2008. He was the pick of the Unlimited sons at Stern Angus where he was retained in stud; he displays more bone and power than his illustrious sire and has a beautiful quiet temperament.

SAV MANDAN 5664 was the lead-off and $150,000 top selling bull in the 2006 SAV Sale. He has proven to be an exceptional sire in all areas of performance, phenotype, maternal strength and carcase quality. His progeny commend attraction with extension, muscle and style evidenced by the fact that he sired the top selling sire group and lead off bull in the 2008 SAV Sale.

TC POWER STROKE 4118 is from a highly proven pedigree which combines power with excellent maternal traits – Bushwhacker x Alliance x Right Time x Dividend. Power Stroke is a stylish bull packed full of muscle.

LCC FIELD DAY A614N was Select Sires high-selling Red Angus bull for 2008. He combines major performance with impressive Phenotype. Top 3% for WW and Top 4% for YW.

Sale Highlights – Sales of Angus breed over the past two months has shown the strength of the Agri-Gene Angus team. Some of the outstanding results include:

Vermont Sale – Top price of $21,000 was paid for a son of BT EQUATOR 395M. This is the high selling bull in Australia for this year’s selling season.

Lawsons Angus Sale – Top price of $18,000 was paid for a GAR SOLUTION son – Lawson Invincible C402 who will be part of the 2009 Agri-Gene AUSEDGE program. In a total 13 Dinky Di sons sold at Alpine for an average of $4,000.

The Grange Sale – Top price of $8,000 was paid for THE GRANGE WHEEL WRIGHT D6 who is a son of Hyline Right Time 338. This bull is a maternal brother to the popular sire Kenny’s Creek Eclipse W111 and will be part of the 2009 Agri-Gene AUSEDGE program.

Alpine Angus Sale – LAWSONS DINKY DI Z191 sons dominated the top prices with a son Alpine Candybar C18 selling for $7,000. Candybar will also be a part of the 2009 Agri-Gene AUSEDGE program.

AUSEDGE is part of the Agri-Gene EDGE program which has seen such great sires as B/R NEW DESIGN 208, B/R NEW FRONTIER 095 and many other proven sires in Australia. AUSEDGE will provide stud and commercial breeders the chance to use the very best of Australian bulls at $12.50 + GST per dose. If you are interested in the EDGE and AUSEDGE programs, apply as soon as possible as semen is limited.

At the recent Dubbo Beef Spectacular a BT EQUATOR 395M Daughter won. She was owned by KO Angus.

BLONDE D’ AQUITANE
New Release Sires – TITO is a new release sire for 2009 who is moderate framed with good Muscle & Fat Cover. He has excellent Beef Abilities +110 Index, +114 Confirmation, +113 Muscle & +107 Carcase. His males are early developing with width & thickness and excellent carcase quality. His females are milky with early sexual maturity.

CHAROLAIS
New Release Sires – Agri-Gene is excited to announce the arrival of two exciting new sires for 2009, DBAR SYNERGY 721T and ROBUSTIN. Synergy is a Polled sire from Canada and is an early maturing bull with plenty of softness and muscle from an exceptional cow family. Robustin graduated from the French Testing Station to be one of the best available for Maternal Qualities and Fertility.

Sale Highlights – At the CQC Charolais Sale at Yea the progeny of CCR SURESHOT 1107F7 - ET were behind the top selling lots at $8,000 and $6,000.

LIMOUSIN
New Release Sires – New sires for 2009 include two new sires from the UK, MILLBROOK VIC and MILLBROOK TANKO. Both are Mas Du Clo sons from one of the best cow families from the UK who offer added muscling with very good docility. Another new sire to the Limousin line-up from France is TASTEVIN. He is an easy calving bull with breed leading Maternal Qualities. Exceptional for Milk and Calving Ability, great cross over Ionesco.

SIMMENTAL
New Release Sires – KAPPES UNIQUE P27 is a new release birth weight trait leader. He offers an outcross pedigree to the Dream On & Lucky lines. Few sires in the breed can match his combination of calving ease, performance, maternal and carcase traits.