Issue 7 - October 2009
HOLSTEIN
Australian ABV Highlights - Breed Legend JOCKO BESNE has again confirmed his position amongst the greats of the Holstein breed with the release of the latest Australian ABV’s. Already at the Top of the ABV’s, Jocko added an extra 70 daughters since April and once again improved his APR ranking to now sit at No.3 on the available bull listings. As well as increasing his APR to +128, he also improved on his ASI and all other Production traits and is now the No.1 sire for both Protein Kgs and Milk in the Top 200 APR sires. He also managed to maintain his excellent Workabilities and all round Type proof, all this with over 1150 daughters milking in Australia.
Other exciting news from the August ABV’s was the emergence of the first second crop daughters from Australia’s leading Jocko son LIONHART. He added 61 second crop daughters and maintained his position amongst the top Type and Production sires on the market. With his favorable Calving Ease ranking of +104 and excellent Overall Type score of +112 he is the only bull in the Top 200 sires who is better than +102 for Calving Ease and +110 for Overall Type.
Lionhart and Jocko will continue to be available together in the Popular Profit Pack for $22 + GST per straw to Australian farmers which represents great value for a breed legend and one of his best sons.
One of Agri-Gene’s Progeny Test Graduates for 2009, ALANDONOR also held is position amongst the top bulls with a high APR score of +95. Alandonor is from a proven Australian cow family and has been heavily used this year as a great value for money sire who offers positive components with very good Type and Udders and great Workabilities where he excels for Temperament and Farmer Likeability.
French Proof Highlights - News from France for the upcoming spring season is high profile O-Man son VOSAC MAN. Representing much of what is required in the Modern Holstein, Vosac offers an all round package that includes positive Components, functional Type with good Udders while he excels for Health & Fitness traits such as Fertility, Longevity and Cell Counts. Vosac can also be purchased in the Health and Fitness Pack with TITOS at @ $22 + GST per straw in 25 dose orders.
Of the other overseas bulls in the Agri-Gene lineup STOL JOC was one of the biggest movers in the August proofs where he jumped up to +123 APR(i) and is now the highest French sire on Interbull.
Other bulls to experience gains on their Interbull ranking were SUBURN who increased for all his production traits while maternal brothers RADICAL and REXONDI strengthened on the back of their impressive second crop success in France. Both Radical and Rexondi now have daughters milking in Australia with very good early reports.
USA Proof Highlights - From the USA the highlight was the performances of high TPI and Type sires ERNESTO and REALITY-RED. Ernesto added more daughters, held his high TPI ranking and is still one of the very best Type and Udder bulls available at +2.78 for Type and +3.39 for Udder Composite. Reality-Red also added a large number of daughters and saw his type proof jump even higher. He now has 200 daughters and increased to +2.75 for Type, +2.35 for Udders and is the No.1 Feet and Leg sire at +3.69.
Genomic Proof Highlights - In the latest August “G” proofs we were pleased with the continued performance of Windy-Knoll-View PHOENIX – ET VG88 who is a Goldwyn son from the world renowned “PALA” Cow Family who combines superb Type, Udders, and Feet & Legs. Phoenix increased for GTPI +2101, Type +3.82, Udders +3.68 and Feet & Legs +2.76 with a perfect linear profile.
Apples ABSOLUTE-Red – ET CV is the highest Genomic Proven Red sire available who descends from the world famous Million Dollar Cow, “KHW Regiment Apple-Red”. Absolute increased for GTPI +1991 and Type +4.14, offers good Udders, Feet & Legs and Overall Type.
Wabash-Way EXPLODE - ET who is a Top Ranked “G” sire hails from the No.1 CTPI and $630,000US Shottle Daughter, Wabash-Way Emilyann – ET VG88 who has increased for GTPI +2315, Milk +2307, Fat +87 and Protein +74. Explode offers outstanding Overall Type, Production and Components from one of the most talked about Cow Families around the world.
Regancrest Mac CADE - ET who is an Outcross Calving Ease sire hails from the much admired Barbie cow family at Regancrest. His maternal sister – Regancrest S Chassity – ET VG88 topped the recent International Intrigue at Milksource Sale in the USA for $US1.5 Million. Cade offers good Type, Production, Components and should sire them Big, Black and Beautiful.
Mr. Golfing AMERICA - ET who is Shottle son increased for GTPI +2117, Type +3.45 Milk +1728 and Udders +2.67. America should sire them Tall and Capacious with welded on Udders.
New Release Sires - VOSAC MAN is a new release O-Man son with high Type +2.5, positive components and good functional traits. Daughters display quality udders with good teat placement & texture with high Rear Attachments.
UMANOIR is a new release Negundo son who hails from a proven cow family, same family as Rouki, Radical and Rexondi. Umanoir is extremely high Type +3.6, excellent Milk Production +612 and superb Udders +2.5. Daughters have wide, square rumps with strong toplines and excellent depth & strength.
Mr Crescentmead ARROW – ET is a new release Durham son out of the much admired Amlaird Lee Alice EX94 who is a full sister to popular sire – ALANTA. He is the No.1 Udder and No.3 Type sire in the USA. He hails from Generations of Excellent Cows as well as Show Champions.
Showring & Sale Highlights - Results from the Holstein section at the 2009 Brisbane Royal Show, a FORBIDDEN daughter - Plana Temptation Sally placed 1st in the 5-7 Yr Old in Milk class and was crowned Honorable Mention Champion Cow.
Results from the Holstein section at the 2009 Adelaide Royal Show, a Forbidden daughter, Glenunga Forbidden Heaven placed 2nd in the 2 Yr Old in Milk class.
Results from the Holstein section at the PA Championship Show in the USA - 1st Place in the Junior 2 Yr Old class was Miss Norman Riley who was sired by former Agri-Gene high Type sire – STORMIN NORMAN. Further success for Stormin Norman daughters with Peachey Norman Kate taking out 1st Place in the Yearling Heifer Class. Also Highland-H Norman Symphony took out 1st Place in the Winter Calf Class, Junior Champion of the Junior Show & Reserve Junior Champion of the Open Show.
1st Place 4 Yr Old, Senior & Grand Champion of the Open Show was awarded to Heart & Soul Alegnce Ribbon-ET who is sired by former Gold Label sire - EK-Oseeana SG ALLEGIANCE.
Other Highlights - Western Districts, SA & Tasmanian Agri-Gene Area Representative – Graham Heaver reports that he had the opportunity in visiting Michael Walsh - Nullawarre, Vic and Wayne & Jo Drayton - Timboon, Vic herds and was extremely impressed with the ROUKI, REXONDI & RADICAL daughters in milk. The Rouki daughter’s were tall, deep ribbed cows with outstanding udders. The Radical daughters were medium in stature, outstanding udders with good teat length and perfect angle of rib. A feature of both the Rouki and Radical daughters would certainly be the excellent temperament and overall dairyness.
Northern Vic & Southern Riverina Agri-Gene Area Representative – John Dickinson reports that he had the opportunity in visiting Rexondi heifers in milk at Steve Cummings – Cowra, NSW, Max Hyland - Pine Lodge, Vic and Stephen Cooke - Deniliquin, NSW. The heifers displayed well attached udders with plenty of capacity. The daughters were a huge improvement on their dams. All farmers are extremely impressed with the good temperaments, trouble-free cows.
NSW & QLD Agri-Gene Area Representative – Brad Gavenlock reports that Chittick Holsteins from Kangaroo Valley, NSW have just calved down a group of eight LIONHART daughters and very happy with them. They are a big improvement on there dams and one of them will be part the daughter display at the NSW State Holstein Show. Four of their Lionhart daughters where in calf to Sexed Ernesto, they all had heifer calves that came out with ease and they were really nice, good-doing calves.
Chittick Holsteins are also milking a number of JOCKO daughters which are great young cows and are the pick of their 2 yr old heifers in milk. They will also have one Jocko in the daughter display at the NSW State Holstein Show.
The Barlow family from Meroo Meadow, NSW are milking there first SUBURN daughter and are extremely impressed with her. Her temperament is outstanding, she is very tall, has great bone, big open frame, very snug udder and great width to her rear udder. Everyone that has calves sired by Suburn are very happy with them.
Brad also reports that Second-Crop ALANTA daughters are now in milk and everyone is talking about them. Farmers that are milking them are very happy with them and in particular the Yarnold Family from Wingham, NSW and Crawford Family from Nowra, NSW both said they where huge improvement on there dams two daughters will showcase in the daughter display at the NSW State Holstein Show.
The farm of Hurne and Russell at Nowra, NSW are milking one ALANDONOR daughter who was scored VG85 and is doing 64L a day. They really like her, she displays plenty of dairyness with a tall open frame and rib, her main feature is her outstanding udder.
LIONHART’s dam: Marion Dale Lucky was re-classified and is now scored EX92 2E.
JERSEY
Australian ABV Highlights - From the Jersey ABV’s the highlight was the continued performance of one of Australia’s highest Type and APR sires SPIRITUAL. He now has 41 daughters in 19 herds, Spiritual is No.6 on the available APR sire rankings and is the only Jersey bull available who is over +100 for APR and over +110 for both Overall Type and Mammary. Combined with his excellent Type ranking he has outstanding Workabilities highlighted by +105 for Farmer Likeability and will improve Cell Counts, Fertility and Longevity.
Another Jersey bull to gain his initial Australian proof is SPARTICUS; this Flowerpower son is out of the much admired South Australian cow Fleurieu Astound Selly SUP92 EX5. He is yet to get his official proof due to low daughter numbers, currently with 26 daughters in his August proof Sparticus has an APR of +112*, has over 1000L of Milk and is +107 for both Overall Type and Mammary with good Workabilities.
USA Proof Highlights - From the Jersey Interbull proofs the clear standout is USA Sire Richies Jace TBONE A364, introduced into Australia late last year. Tbone has an Interbull APR of +110 with an outstanding Type Ranking of +120 for Overall Type and +112 for Udders, clearly the No. 1 Type bull on Interbull he is also the highest USA Jersey for APR. Tbone has over 600 daughters in the USA and now +2.3 Type and +6.83 Udder Index. Tbone is ranked amongst the Top 10 sires in the USA for Protein %, Type, Dairy Form, Foot Angle and is the No.1 sire for improving Teat Placement.
New Release Sires - Agri-Gene is proud to introduce a new addition to their Jersey lineup – BW SUREFIRE who hails from the best at Brentwood in the US. Sired by Illusion out of an EX94 Centurion dam, Surefire was the talk of the town at the recent Jersey Technology Conference held at Brentwood Farms, USA with a group of Surefire daughters placing first in the bull daughter progeny class. In the recent USDA proofs, Surefire ranked amongst the Top 10 sires for Daughter Pregnancy Rate, Rump Width, Foot Angle, Fore Udder Att and Udder Depth. Daughters display plenty of dairyness with great textured udders, superb teat placement & ligament, Surefire has an outstanding Udder Index of +7.28.
Other Highlights – Northern Vic & Southern Riverina Agri-Gene Area Representative – John Dickinson reports that he had the opportunity in visiting Greg & Jo Fleming - Finley, NSW and Lynton & Lisa Broad - Lockington, Vic herds and was very impressed with the BLAIR and MAXIMUM daughters in milk. The Blair daughters were trouble-free cows who had really good Teat Placement with quiet temperaments. The Maximum daughters were good sized heifers with well balanced udders, good Teat Length and also displayed quiet temperaments.
NSW & QLD Agri-Gene Area Representative – Brad Gavenlock reports that the Wilson Family at Shirlinn Jerseys – Tamworth, NSW are milking four SPARTICUS daughters that have all finished their lactation. They have classified 87, 84, 86 and 85 points. Their average production was 5801L, 207P Kgs and 286F Kgs at 2yrs and will go back and re-use him, extremely consistent.
Jersey Breeders which have used Gold Label sire – EXCAVATE are extremely impressed by his progeny, adding plenty of Style. Brad Gavenlock also reports that The Buckley Family from Theresa Park, NSW are very happy with there Excavate heifers and they believe they are the best group of heifers they have had by one sire.
BW LEGION and BLAIR two year old daughters are classifying well for breeders with a Legion daughter owned by Riverside Jerseys – Nirranda, Vic scoring 88 points and a Blair daughter owned by the Oslear Family – Gerringong, NSW also scoring 88 points.
Superb results from breeders using FERNJACE who are displaying very good overall Type in large frames with welded on Udders.
Showring & Sale Highlights - Recent success at the Adelaide Royal Show saw progeny sired by former Agri-Gene sires - Tally’s Bigtime TROUBLE, Giprat B Midnight THUNDER, Lester SAMBO and BW LEGION excel in the showring occupying positions within the top 4 placings. A BW Legion daughter – Bellview Legion Joy was crowned Intermediate Champion Cow. FERNJACE and Pop of New DIRECTION daughters also placed well.
At the recent Western National Jersey Show held at Oregon, USA, a SPECIAL FORCES daughter - BW SF Barb R858 placed 1st in the Summer Yearling class, A BW SUREFIRE daughter – BW Surefire Alexia R191 placed 3rd in the Junior 2 year old in Milk class and Family Hill Sambo Fern EX94 – dam of Gold Label sire FASHION ICON placed 1st in the Aged Cow in Milk class.
At the recent All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, USA South Mountain Ringmaster Justify, sired by RINGMASTER was crowned Fall Calf & Honorable Mention Junior Champion.
At the recent World Dairy Expo former Agri-Gene sires BELLES JADE, CONNECTION and Lester SAMBO dominated the classes with a Jade daughter – Wildina Jade Bee taking out Reserve Junior Champion and the Kingsmill Futurity Class winner was Party at Budjon Last Call who was also sired by Jade. A Connection daughter Maple Ridge Connection Shawna was Honorable Mention Junior Champion.
A maternal sister – Arethusa Comerica Dolce Vita to EDVERDICT, GOLDVOLT and SDVALIANT topped the Avonlea Summer Splash II Sale for $25,000CAN and another maternal sister - Arethusa Comerica Presto was 2nd Top Price at the Top of The World Jersey Sale at World Dairy Expo for $5,200US.
AYRSHIRE
Australian ABV Highlights - From the Ayrshire ABV’s the highlights included Plum-Bottom TRIDENT’S LOT occupying the 3rd position for Type at +115 on the APR rankings. Trident’s Lot sires daughters with high, wide well attached Udders with superb teat placement and has an Udder Index of +110 and will improve workabilities.
Former Agri-Gene sire, Lone Birch MASTERPIECE still offers superb milk production +784M +217 NM$ and +1.2 for Type in the USA.
Showring Highlights - Champion Ayrshire Cow at the 2009 Adelaide Royal Show was awarded to Cher-Bar MP Incarnate who is sired by former Agri-Gene Ayrshire sire – Lone Birch MASTERPIECE.
Another daughter Roland Lodge American Trixie sired by TRIDENT took out Reserve Senior Champion Cow. In the Junior Championship, Geelunga Tri Hilda also sired by Trident took out Reserve Junior Champion Heifer. Trident daughters stood in the top 3 placings in seven separate classes. Boldview Autumn Rubine, sired by Cuthill Towers AUTUMN GOLD stood 2nd in the Aged Cow class.
In the USA, Blind Buck Vall Tri Redpepper who is also sired by Trident was recently crowned Grand Champion Ayrshire Cow at the New York State Fair; she was also crowned Intermediate Champion and Grand Champion Cow at the World Dairy Expo this year.
New Release Sires - Also from the Ayrshire front we would like to introduce a new Gold Label sire, Wroughton Lord Winston from the UK. LORD WINSTON is an outstanding young sire who has so many positive attributes, superb conformation, style, up standing clean front end’s, strong topped, good sweep of rib and bone quality.
BROWN SWISS
Australian ABV Highlights - From the Brown Swiss ABV’s the highlights included the continued performance of Victory Acres Simon EVEN. For the second proof run, Even is No.2 on the APR rankings and will improve Protein, SCC and Workabilities.
In the USA Even occupies the No.3 position with 98% Rel, +408 NM$ and +5.4 for Productive Life. He continues to rank amongst the best Swiss sires in the world.
Showring Highlights – At the recent All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, USA - Old-Mill E Snickerdoodle EX94 3E the seven-time All-American Brown Swiss legend was named Supreme Champion as the All-American Dairy Show. Snickerdoodle is the Dam of Brown Swiss Sexed Sire – STARSTRUCK.
At the recent World Dairy Expo the “Legendary” Old-Mill E Snickerdoodle EX94 3E made it eight WDE class wins! She was crowned Senior, Grand Champion Brown Swiss and Reserve Supreme Champion as well as the Component Merit award Recipient. Further success at World Dairy Expo for Starstruck progeny with Hoodstead Starsky Betsy – ET placing 1st in the Fall Milking Yearling class.
GUERNSEY
Australian ABV Highlights - From the Guernsey ABV’s the highlights included the introduction and proof on TIRESFORD Pedro who was introduced into Australia from the UK in July this year. Tiresford received his first Interbull APR of +100 which places him 2nd on the APR rankings, is over 600 Litres for Milk with positive Components and will improve Cell Counts.
Tiresford hails from a tremendous cow family with his dam – Tiresford Carmen 2nd EX94 taking out the coverted “Super Cow” award and Supreme Championship at the European Dairy Farming Exhibition. Old Homestead DIVIDEND also occupy’s the 6th position on Type at +110 in the APR rankings. Marfred MASTERPIECE is a Production leader in the USA at +784M and +0.9 for Type. Former Agri-Gene sire Sniders Demand ADACKA is a breed leader for Fertility in the USA, +1.4 for Type and +342 NM$ and +1.3 for SCC.
Showring Highlights – At the recent Adelaide Royal Show, Gilbert TRADEMARK’s dam - Gilbert Tootsie EX90 placed 2nd in the 6 year old in milk class and his grand dam - Gilbert Telanie EX92 placed 1st in the Aged Cow class. Marglyn Action MERVYN, Marfred MASTERPIECE and Old Homestead DIVIDEND progeny all ranked amongst the top 5 placings.
At the recent All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, USA - Intermediate Champion & Reserve Grand Champion was awarded to Sniders Adacka Horizon, who is sired by former Guernsey sire – ADACKA.
At the recent World Dairy Expo, Adacka had some success in the heifer classes with Walnut Corner Adacka Kendy placing 2nd in the Spring Yearling class, Ripley Farms Ad Coni Wisper-ET placing 1st in the Summer Yearling class.
ILLAWARRA
Australian ABV Highlights - From the Illawarra ABV’s the highlights included the continued performance of PT Graduate STARTRUMP gaining the No.2 available APR sire position in the Illawarra breed. Startrump has good Type +103, positive Fat 39 / 0.19% and is over 500 Litres for Milk.
Superb reports on milking daughters from all breeders that are milking them. Good temperament, trouble-free cows that calve with ease.
New Release Sires - Also from the Illawarra front we would like to introduce a new Progeny Test sire Panorama LANDMINE who 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.
Showring & Sale Highlights - In the Illawarra section at the 2009 Brisbane Royal Show a maternal sister to Panorama Angeline 8th – Dam of Illawarra Gold Label sire REDRAMA was crowned Champion Illawarra Cow.
At the recent World Dairy Expo Hard Core Acad Rowan was awarded Reserve Intermediate Champion Cow. She was sired by Illawarra PT sire – Kulp-Gen Ok Acdmy Adam – P ET (ACADEMYADAM).
MILKING SHORTHORN
Showring Highlights – At the recent All American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, USA - Hard Core Rebel Maggie EX -ET was awarded Reserve Intermediate Champion Cow. She was sired by US proven sire - GMC Rebel LOGIC.
Also at the recent World Dairy Expo a Rebel Logic daughter - Hardcore Mrb Letisha placed 1st in the Senior 3 yr old in milk class. Spungold-R Logic Precious - ET placed 1st in the Fall Yearling class and Whitfords Logic Miah placed 2nd in the Summer Yearling class.
MONTBELIARDE
New Release Sires - Agri-Gene are proud to introduce new calving ease sire UFUK who is a Merci son from France who offers high milk production, outstanding udders, very good temperament, milking speed, cell counts and longevity.
ANGUS
Showring & Sale Highlights – Agri-Gene Angus sires have once again excelled at the recent New England bull sales with sons from the following sires all selling above sale averages.
42 x B/R AMBUSH 28 sons averaged $5,845
18 x HYLINE RIGHT TIME 338 sons averaged $5,750
15 x BT EQUATOR 395M sons averaged $5,200
7 x RITO 2V1 OF 2536 1407 sons averaged $4,929
6 x GAR PREDESTINED sons averaged $4,759
Other recent Angus sale highlights saw LAWSONS DINKY DI Z191 topping the Dunoon sale for the 4th consecutive sale. In all eleven Dinky Di sons sold at Dunoon for an average of $5,000 against the overall sale average of $3,700.
At the Pine Creek Angus Sale a B/R NEW FRONTIER 095 son was the top seller at $28,000 while all progeny sired by Agri-Gene bulls averaged $9,000 against a strong sale average of $6,728.
BT EQUATOR 395M progeny have stood out for their consistency and have sold well throughout the country topping several sales including Pert Angus and Millah Murrah where they sold to $23,000.
Agri-Gene sires have also lead the way in the showrings throughout the country by winning broad ribbons at all major shows. In Brisbane HYLINE RIGHT TIME 338 sired the Grand Champion Female while a B/R New Frontier 095 son was Reserve Champion Bull for Pine Creek Angus.
Adelaide Royal saw the Grand Champion Female awarded to a GAR GRID MAKER daughter and in the Interbreed Progeny Group, the Angus second placed team went a bull and two heifers sired by BT RIGHT TIME 24J.
The recent Melbourne Royal Supreme Angus exhibit was taken out by a 12 month old heifer that was imported into Australia as an embryo; she was sired by Papa Equator from the heart of BT RIGHT TIME 24J cow family, the Everelda Entense’s.
Reserve Champion Female went to a BT Equator 395M daughter, KO Vicky D51. This heifer went one better at Sydney Royal and the Bendigo Expo by taking out the Championship ribbon, while the Grand Champion bull was sired by BT Right Time 24J and shown by Rossander Angus.
EDGE Sire Update – Agri-Gene a thrilled to be able to introduce a new bull to our EDGE line-up for spring, he is a Bando 9074 son WATTLETOP ANDY C109 who sold for $38,000 to Witherswood Angus in August. A genuine Frame 7 bull, he is sure footed with overall thickness, length and capacity from an excellent cow family from Wattletop Angus.
Interest in other EDGE sires has been excellent with LAWSONS INVINCIBLE C402 now sold out on EDGE and APLPINE CANDYBAR C178 almost fully allocated. Both bulls will be available outside the EDGE program at $25 + GST.
CHAROLAIS
Showring Highlights – A NECESSAIRE daughter won Reserve Junior Champion at this years Melbourne Royal for Paul Hilderbrand from Yea, Vic. LUNAPARC semen is now sold out.
LIMOUSIN
The first shipment of Irish Limousin bull MILLBROOK TANKO due in October, interest in this Mas Du Clo son has been very good from Limousin breeders. Semen supply on both French Sires HIGHLANDER and OBIWAN is now limited with no more available from France. Both bulls offer Calving Ease with excellent maternal traits.
Sale Highlights – At the Donna Valley Christmas in July Sale, Agri-Gene sires dominated the top selling animals represented in the sale. Donna Valley P Designer Lady sold for a top price of $10,500 who was a grand daughter of former Agri-Gene sire DAUPHIN. Two other Dauphin daughters sold well, Donna Valley Wendy for $4,000 and Donna Valley Colette Rachel for $5,000.
Donna Valley Doria-Rachel sold for $4,000 and Donna Valley Emma-Rachel sold for $2,000, both were sired by IONESCO. Donna Valley Poll Champagne sold for $2,500 and Donna Valley Poll Razzamataz sold for $2,500, both were sired by DONNA VALLEY WILLIAM OF ORANGE.
SIMMENTAL
Our first shipment Homo Black and Homo Polled bull TRIPLE C BETTIS sold out before it hit the country; a new shipment is due in October.
New Release Sires - Two new Simmentals sires arrived in September, impressive Red Homo and Polled bull ANKONAIAN RED CAESAR and outcross Calving Ease Homo Black and Polled bull KAPPES UNIQUE P27.
