High health from new tranche of top Holstein sires

A new entrant at the top of the AHDB ranking for young sires, published today, provides a resounding demonstration of how health and welfare traits are being bred into Holsteins and contributing to improved daughter lifespans.

The bull, Denovo 22750 Lorenzo (by Leeds), is predicted to transmit good daughter fertility (Fertility Index 8.8), an ability to walk without going lame (Lameness Advantage 3.2, the highest in the top 20) and good udder health.

As such, he earns an exceptional daughter Lifespan Index (174 days longer than average), as well as an outstanding HealthyCow of £254. All of this is wrapped up in a Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) of £874, demonstrating how selecting sires for this national genetic index will breed profits as well as health into a herd.

As the studs release a tranche of new sires, the next six positions also feature entirely new entrants since the December release.

Amongst them, second-ranking Peak AltaRotation (PLI £867) stands out for his excellent Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) for protein at +0.14% and 37.3kg.

Third-placed Peak AltaFanbase (PLI £854) is a fat specialist, transmitting 56.3kg (+0.24%) fat, combined with a highly favourable maintenance score of -30.

This delivers an exceptional Feed Advantage of 291, reflecting the kilograms of dry matter intake predicted to be saved during each lactation. This contributes to a breed‑leading EnviroCow of 4.8.

Fourth-placed Peak AltaVaughn (PLI £853) is a full brother to AltaRotation and transmits strong solids (+0.30% fat and +0.15% protein) alongside a very high Fertility Index of 10.8.

In fifth place, Denovo 6856 Hotshot (PLI £846) offers high milk solids transmission, while Genosource Judo (PLI £845), ranked sixth, is amongst the highest milk yield transmitters at 1,239kg.

His protein yield of 44.6kg places him in number one position for this trait.

Another strong milk transmitter is seventh-placed OCD Sheepster Mike (PLI £828) and both Judo and Mike have favourable maintenance scores of -23 reflecting their daughters’ feed-saving credentials.

Adaway Beyond Faithful, remains in the top 10, with the eighth-highest PLI at £827 alongside the highest Type Merit (1.23) within the top 20.

New in ninth position is OCD Radical Josh Allen (PLI £824), combining high milk yield (1,123kg) with impressive fat plus protein of 92.4kg.

Rounding off the top 10 is OCD Thorson Ripcord (PLI £822), another strong feed‑saver with a maintenance score of -31 and a Fertility Index of 7.2.

Further notable top 20 positions include newcomers, Denovo Alberta (PLI £819) and Peak AltaTalltale (PLI £815), ranked 11th and 14th, and two UK‑bred bulls, Denovo Coyote P (previously number one, now with a PLI of £809 and 60.8kg (+0.36%) fat) and his maternal half‑brother, Denovo Charisma (PLI £803).

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics, AHDB said:

"As the dairy sector looks to build greater resilience, these top‑performing genetics offer a permanent and cumulative route to improved efficiency.

"Selecting sires with high £PLI, strong health and productivity traits, and improved Feed Advantage supports the breeding of cows which cost less to feed, remain productive for longer and reduce carbon intensity."