Health and efficiency improve across dairy breeds

An exceptional package of health traits sees young sire VJ Husted Splash Sultan reassert his lead in the young genomic Jersey rankings, published today by AHDB.

Sultan transmits 100 days more lifespan to his daughters than breed average, along with a Fertility Index of 7.4 and HealthyCow of £135. His udder health is impressive at -23 SCC, and he combines this with strong component percentages of +0.27% fat and +0.19% protein. This makes him a standout for functional and productive efficiency and earns him a Profitable Lifetime Index of £437.

Moving up to second is VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan (PLI £418), a true all‑rounder offering excellent environmental efficiency (EnviroCow 2.5), supported by strong lifespan (91) and -23 SCC.

His balanced profile across production, health and sustainability keeps him firmly within the leading group.

Former front-runner, VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander (PLI £406), is edged into third place, and continues to excel for environmental impact, achieving the highest EnviroCow in the group (2.6).

With solid production (201kg milk and 38.5kg fat plus protein) he remains an attractive option for breeders prioritising efficiency alongside yield.

Holding fourth is VJ Gammelager Luxplus Monse (PLI £399), maintaining his position as the milk quality leader with +0.36% fat and +0.22% protein.

Production is matched with excellent health, including a Fertility Index of 6.9 and reflected in a HealthyCow of £121. This reinforces his status as a high‑quality all‑rounder.

Completing the top five is ABS AVJ Juiced (PLI £398), the production powerhouse of the group. His leading yield of 441kg milk, 26.6kg protein and 22.9kg fat gives him both volume and components appeal for production‑focused breeders.

New to the proven list of Jersey sires and moving straight into the top position is VJ Drostrupgaard Jojo Jabra (PLI £446).

His breed-leading scores for udder health (-28 SCC and -2 mastitis) are supported by strong production of 437kg milk and 37.1kg fat plus protein.

In second is former leader, VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (PLI £441), continuing to excel with the best EnviroCow score in the breed (2.8), strong lifespan (106), and excellent component performance totalling 39.7kg fat plus protein (+0.28% fat and +0.18% protein).

Rising to third is VJ Ravninggaard Huus Hamlet (PLI £419), backed by 778 daughters contributing to his proof.

He offers exceptional health traits, including a HealthyCow of £205, a Lifespan Index of 94 and outstanding daughter fertility (15.9).

Holding on to the top spot for the third consecutive run is VR Wehmais Vimo Vehmaa (PLI £563), an outstanding all‑rounder who leads the list for component percentages (+0.34% fat, +0.18% protein).

He combines this with strong health traits, including an excellent -20 SCC.

Climbing into second is VR Hakvin (PLI £557), only narrowly missing out on the top position. With 422 daughters contributing to his proof, he delivers excellent environmental efficiency (EnviroCow 3.2) alongside impressive production (535kg milk, 60.6kg fat plus protein).

Dropping to third is Tontine Astorwell (PLI £504). This bull continues to dominate for production, leading the breed for both milk (882kg) and protein (29kg), while maintaining a strong EnviroCow of 2.9.

Remaining fourth is VR Venom (PLI £503), now supported by 504 milking daughters and standing out as the breed leader for fertility (21). Excellent overall health is reflected in a HealthyCow of £222.

Rising from sixth to complete the top five is VR Solvarp Hjuve Hosea (PLI £425).

He delivers solid all‑round production (420kg milk), including the highest fat yield in the group (36.6kg).

Holding firmly on to the number one position across the Friesian sires is Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £312). A proven all‑rounder, he offers 23.8kg fat plus protein, supported by excellent udder health (-13 SCC) and strong daughter fertility (7).

New into second position is Goonhilly Cornelly (PLI £281), making an impressive debut. He brings excellent environmental credentials with an EnviroCow of 1.8 and complements this with respectable production, particularly for protein at 12.6kg and +0.09%.

Moving up to third is Dalino (PLI £272), continuing to excel for health, notably outstanding udder health (-14 SCC) and strong daughter fertility (6.9). His production remains sound with 193kg milk and 22.5kg fat plus protein.

In fourth place is Goonhilly Isaac (£PLI 267), who stands out for exceptional milk components (+0.13% fat, +0.13% protein) and strong health credentials. This is reflected in a HealthyCow of £101.

Completing the top five are two bulls from the Inch herd, level-pegging with PLIs of £261. Inch Jake leads the Friesian breed for milk yield (427kg) and protein (14.2kg) and also tops the list for environmental efficiency with an EnviroCow of 1.9.

This makes him a standout for production‑focused and efficiency‑driven breeding strategies.

His herd mate, Inch Next, drives a higher weight of fat (11.7kg) and stands out for mastitis resistance (-2).

Genomic Friesians

Among genomic young sires, the top three ranked on £PLI also share the list’s top EnviroCow score of 1.7, offering superb options for environmentally conscious breeding.

Goonhilly Coverack (PLI £323) remains first, continuing to offer excellent components (+0.14% fat, +0.11% protein) and strong daughter fertility (3.4).

Newcomer, Bankhouse Edward (PLI £314) enters second as a true all‑rounder, delivering solid production (325kg milk, 29.1kg fat plus protein).

Rising to third is Whinnow Ambition (PLI £305), combining impressive yield (423kg milk) with excellent health traits, including a HealthyCow of £149 and Lifespan Index of 92 extra days.

Dr Daniel Pitt, Animal Genetics Manager at AHDB, said:

"It’s important to remind producers, as we do regularly, that breeds cannot be compared with one another in these breed-specific £PLI rankings.

Figures are calculated in breed groups, with an average of zero, based on cows born between 2018 and 2021, for each breed. Anyone wishing to compare one breed with another is directed to either of the across-breed indexes [Spring or Autumn Calving Index] calculated for seasonal calving herds."

Other dairy breed indexes are published on our website, where the Montbéliarde, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Shorthorn and Fleckvieh are all represented.

VJ Husted Splash Sultan