Two new bulls in pole breeding position

Two new bulls have moved into the number one slot in the December DairyCo Breeding+ December Profitable Lifetime Index ranking, ousting old-timer Oman.

Although legendary Oman is no longer number one due to his semen no longer being available, his sons still continue to dominate, with Man-O-Man and Co-op Oman Logan taking joint number-one position, with a PLI of £225.

These two US-bred bulls were previously ranked second and third respectively, with the former specialising in protein transmission with solid fitness and type traits, while the latter transmits a higher volume of milk. The 848kg milk in Logan’s Predicted Transmitting Ability is not only one of the highest available in the breed, but is combined with remarkably good cell count figures at -21 as well as an impressive +0.4 for Lifespan.

Oman’s sons dominate the top 10, with Timmer Tyson in third place, transmitting 155kg milk, constituents and good fitness traits – a bulk good for grazing systems.

Co-op Oman Loydie is a full brother to number-one bull Logan, and edges up to fourth position with a PLI of £218, while the outstanding somatic cell count index of -24 for fifth-ranking Crockett-Acres Eight makes him the SCC leader among the top 10 bulls.

However, best for fitness overall from among the top 10 is Gran-J Oman McCormick, who has an impressive -20 SCC, +0.4 Lifespan and +4.8 for Fertility Index. With improvements in each of these indexes, he moves into sixth position and into the top 10 for the first time.

UFM-Dubs AltaEsquire ranks seventh and is followed by another new entrant in Mainstream Manifold. Both bulls transmit high weights of fat, and Manifold as one of only 10 bulls with more than three points for direct calving ease – is one of the easiest calving sires on the market today.

Morningview Legend remains in ninth position, and rounding off the top 10 again is Coldsprings Garner CRI – the best fertility improver in the top 10 with +5.8 FI.

Highest new entrant

The highest new entrant is UK proven Relough Reformer, who makes a strong debut at number 25, despite limited daughter information. With an impressive 34.8kg fat, he becomes the highest weight of fat transmitter, earns a PLI of £173, and becomes the highest ranking Shottle son.

The second highest Shottle son and also UK-bred is Cogent Twist, who made his debut at the last proof run and improves his PLI to £166 with new daughter information.

Goldwyn bloodlines

Like Oman, Brasedale Goldwyn, is also no longer active, but nine of his sons make it into the top 100 PLI. The highest ranking of these are Ladys-Manor Dodge at number 29 with a PLI of £169, and Gillette Jordanwith a PLI of £167.

Biggest improver

The biggest improver in the top 50 PLI is outcross sire, Far-O-La Bolvr Sambo CRI, up to a PLI of £173. With a sire stack of Boliver x Tugolo x Goldfinger, he’ll make a welcome change for those in search of some variety in their herd’s bloodlines.

Selecting bulls

PLI has been designed on the back of extensive research into on-farm performance, to recognise bulls which breed the most profitable daughters, says geneticist, Marco Winters, DairyCo Breeding+. “This means any UK herd stands to significantly improve its profitability by using high PLI sires.

“However, those with specific problems to address – such as poor fertility or high cell counts – may want to drill down through the figures to identify bulls that specifically improve these areas.”

And there’s no need for breeders to restrict themselves to only the expensive headline names, he adds.

“There’s a wide range of high quality bulls addressing a variety of breeding needs within the top 100 bulls, and these open the way to new and varied bloodlines for herds which may have already invested heavily in Oman sons.”

And with more than 225 bulls with PLIs of more than £100 to choose from, there’s no need to sacrifice too much on PLI.

• For a guide on how to use bull proofs visit www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/bull-indices 

TOP TEN BULLS