The rapid improvement in Australian dairy genetics is again evident in the latest Australian Breeding Value release.
For the first time a bull cracked the 500-mark on the Balanced Performance Index on the Australian Holstein daughter-proven list, while 24 bulls sit above 500 BPI on the Holstein genomics list.
The number one daughter-proven Holstein is Wa-Del Yoder Bandares (7HO12671) from World Wide Sires, a debutante on the list.
At 510 BPI it is the only daughter-proven sire to break the 500 BPI barrier and has a number of well-performed sons on the young genomic list.
Former number one sire CBContender-Mr Super Contender, from ST Genetics Australia, holds down second spot with a 450 BPI proof based 432 milking daughters.
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The genomic bulls list features 24 young bulls from seven different companies above 500 BPI.
Former number one genomic sire ABS Jeronimo-P (29HO18968) has stormed back to the top of the list.
Jeronimo has added 27 milking daughters and their performance combined with improved breeding values in a number of other non-production areas have contributed to its rise to 596 BPI.
World Wide Sires also holds the number one bull on the Jersey Australian daughter-proven list.
Wilsonview IF Matt (7JE01344) holds down the number one position for the fourth consecutive run with a BPI of 352.
All Lynns Louie Valentino (7J1038), the sire of number one Matt, holds second spot at 294 BPI with an impressive 2942 daughters.
This globally recognised sire is available through Genetics Australia.
On the Jersey genomics lists, CRVMesquite JX Blue Mist Mesquite{3} is the top genomic sire at 409 BPI.
It is a US bred sire available through CRV Australia.
In the Aussie Reds, VIKRTokyo maintains its spot at the top on the BPI list at 338 BPI with 81 Australian milking daughters. It is available through Viking Genetics.
The German sire Hercules leads the Brown Swiss list with a BPI of 251.
Top herds
Trevor and Leah Parrish's, Illawambra Holsteins of Barrengarry, NSW, is the number one BPI Holstein herd with an average BPI of 252.
It is also the number two Health Weighted Index herd at 246.
Number two BPI and number one HWI herd is Alex Arena's Vala Holsteins, Toolamba, Victoria.
Coming in third for both BPI and HWI is the Carenda Herd of Kitchen Farms, Boyanup WA.
In the Jerseys, Rob and Sandra Bacon's Brookbora Jersey herd of Tennyson, Victoria, has secured top herd spot for both BPI and HWI for the first time, knocking off the perennial White Star herd of the Glennen family, Noorat, Victoria, which remains the number two BPI herd.
Mike Green's Waikato Farm Aussie Red herd at Mount Shank, SA, is the number one Red Breed herd for BPI (239) and HWI (182).
Top cows
The new number one Holstein female in Australia is "4160" owned by Andrew and Jacqui Delaney of Nirranda, Victoria.
This daughter of ABS Jeronimo has a BPI of 544, overall type of 107, survival of 113, daughter fertility of 112, mastitis resistance of 111 and feed saved of 31.
Warrain Irwin Love Lies 5, owned by John and Marg Cockerell, of Numurkah, Victoria, is the number one BPI Jersey cow with a BPI of 477.
This All Lynns Valentino Irwin daughter also excels for overall type with an ABV of 112 and mammary system of 111.
The Cockerells also own the number one HWI cow, Warrain Matt Treasure 3, with a HWI of 382.
The full Australian Breeding Value tables are available at datagene.com.au/BreedingValues.
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