AUGUST PLIs DISTORTED
AUGUST PLIs DISTORTED
DISRUPTION to milk recording and type classification during the foot-and-mouth crisis has impacted on the August UK PLI proofs, according to the Animal Data Centre.
The main problems are incomplete lactation records, limited or no type merit results and distorted herd life data where animals have been culled through no fault of the sire.
Some progeny test bulls have not been evaluated or have initial proofs with lower than expected reliability, explains ADCs Gordon Swanson. "In some cases there will be changes to existing proofs where bulls have added no more or even appeared to lose daughters.
Problems overcome
"To overcome some of the problems, ADC has used estimates to compensate for gaps in lactation records and herd averages used to calculate records in progress. To improve accuracy of lifespan information ADC has also identified herds that have been culled and credited all cows that did not have a chance to complete their current lactations."
Elite Mountain Donor remains top of the PLI list, but shares the position with Altas Ricecrest Marshall, having dropped £2 on PLI. In third place, losing £7 on PLI is Manat, although he remains strong on type merit with a score of 3.1. Manat shares third place with Dutch sire Delta Webster, while Lorak, from France, is ranked number five with a PLI of £75.
First timer
Entering the top 10 for the first time is Cogents Fabian. Released in May, this bull has climbed £15 on PLI since the last proof run, says Cogents Martin Hall. "Fabians production has seen a large jump since the last proof run and he is the highest protein bull in the world." Fabian offers 1120kg milk and 34.2kg protein.
The highest new entry to the PLI rankings is French sire Monza, positioned tenth. Monza offers 1135kg milk, 25kg fat and 29.6kg protein. No price was available for this bull as Dairy Update went to press. *
Available Holstein bulls ranked or PLI(Aug 2001)
£PLI £PIN Type merit Price (£) Supplier
Elite Mountain Donor 83 80 -0.2 22 Semen World
Ricecrest Marshall 83 74 1.8 35 Alta
Manat 76 65 3.1 35 Dairy Dtrs
Delta Webster 76 68 1.9 25 Avoncroft
Lorak 75 78 1.5 25 Supersires
Cogent Fabian 74 77 1.2 15 Cogent
Eastland Festival 74 76 -0.1 17 Avoncroft
Joyce Mountain 70 70 -0.8 9 Cogent
Ricecrest Lantz 70 70 1.9 32 Genus
Monza 70 67 2.0 TBC Avoncroft
Lexvold Luke Hershel 69 64 1.7 30 Alta
Crichel Principal 68 66 1.9 18 Cogent
Jesther 67 58 1.4 25 Avoncroft
Wa-Del Convincer 66 60 1.8 30 Genus
Woodhoeve Russel 65 68 0.6 14 Avoncroft
Dixie-Lee Aaron 64 52 2.1 28 Alta
Ricecrest Brett 64 70 0.8 16 Genus
Jargol 64 61 0.2 22 Supersires
Sherington Mountaineer 63 63 0.3 12 Avoncroft
Peticote US MSC Magley 63 63 0 12 Genus NI
Melchior 63 60 1.1 12 Avoncroft
Summershade B Contributor 63 66 1.6 19 Semex
Ideal Ags 63 58 1.1 16 Supersires