New genomic Jersey list highlights young sires

All appears to have changed among Jersey sires in the December AHDB rankings, but this reflects a switch of focus to young bulls with genomic indexes, which are now widely used by UK farmers. 

Dominating this genomic list – as they do among proven sires – are the Scandinavian countries, which take all of the top five (and nine of the top 10) positions when ranked on Profitable Lifetime Index.

In the lead is VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander (£PLI 468), who offers the highest EnviroCow score in the rankings (2.8) alongside excellent production (260 kg milk, 44.2 kg fat plus protein), and firmly establishes himself as one of the most environmentally efficient genomic sires of the breed.

Climbing from seventh to second position is VJ Juulsgaard Happens Harder (£PLI 460), transmitting high milk quality (+0.31% fat, +0.20% protein) and a good daughter Fertility Index of +6.4.

Third place is taken by VJ Husted Splash Sultan (£PLI 449), the former leader who remains a major force for health traits with an impressive daughter Lifespan score of +94 days and the highest HealthyCow (£136) and daughter Fertility Index (+8) in the rankings.

Debuting in fourth is newcomer VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan (£PLI 443). This bull brings a well-balanced profile with solid production (213 kg milk, 41.4 kg fat plus protein), the best somatic cell count transmission in the group (-26), and a strong EnviroCow of 2.6.

Completing the top five is VJ Gammelager Luxplus Monse (£PLI 439), previously third. He leads the breed for milk quality (+0.35% fat, +0.22% protein), matches the highest daughter Fertility Index (+8), and has an excellent HealthyCow of £130.

Amongst the older, proven Jersey bulls, it is former front-runner, VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (£PLI 518), who continues to impress, with strong production (218 kg milk and 49kg fat plus protein) and an outstanding EnviroCow of 3.1.

New into the list is VJ Adelgaard Nibiru Nicas, graduating with a well-rounded profile which combines solid health credentials (HealthyCow £129), good environmental efficiency (EnviroCow 2.4), and strong production at 287kg milk and 36.4kg fat plus protein.

Rising one place to third is VJ Nr Haugaard Hays Hauga, transmitting exceptional strength in health traits with a remarkable HealthyCow of £189, an impressive Lifespan Index of +97 days, and excellent daughter fertility at FI 11.3.

Across the Ayrshire breed there is very little change in position among proven sires since the summer proof run with number one spot retained by VR Wehmais Vimo Vehmaa (£PLI 545).

A true all-rounder for production, health and environmental credentials, he excels for milk quality (+0.35% fat, +0.16% protein) and has a HealthyCow of £154.

Up one place and returning to second is Tontine Astorwell (£PLI 502), the outstanding milk and protein leader (895 kg milk, 29 kg protein), who shares top honours for environmental efficiency with third ranked VR Hakvin.

Both bulls boast an EnviroCow of 2.9. With a £PLI 481, Hakvin also excels for Lifespan Index (+85 days) and transmits strong production (392kg milk, 48.7 kg fat plus protein).

Fourth place remains with VR Venom (£PLI 472), who continues to impress with outstanding daughter Fertility Index (20.4) and HealthyCow (£202). This is backed by high reliability, with some 455 UK daughters now contributing to his proof.

Rounding off the top five is VR Vilano (£PLI 446), who offers strong production (430 kg milk, 47.7 kg fat plus protein) and good environmental credentials with an EnviroCow of 2.5.

Similar stability exists in the Friesian breed ranking for proven sires, with Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (£PLI 298), climbing one place to claim the top spot.

Ewoud continues to impress with strong fat and protein yields (12.6 kg fat, 10.6 kg protein), excellent SCC (–12), and a high daughter Fertility Index of 6.9.

Also moving up one place is second-ranking Goonhilly Isaac (£PLI 277), who continues to stand out for exceptional milk quality (0.14% fat, 0.14% protein) and shares the top EnviroCow score in the rankings at 1.7.

In third place is former number one sire, Inch Next (£PLI 270), a high-production transmitter delivering 307kg milk with 25.3 kg fat plus protein. This bull also stands top for EnviroCow (1.7), making him both productive and efficient.

Fourth place is retained by Dalino (£PLI 266), a well-balanced performer, offering solid all-round production (211 kg milk, 22.7 kg fat plus protein), and daughter fertility (FI 6.2) and leading the breed for SCC (–14).

Rounding off the top five is Inch Hearty (£PLI 215), previously ranked sixth. A balanced all-rounder, he combines respectable production, health traits (HealthyCow 107), environmental credentials (EnviroCow 1.1) with good functional type (Type Merit 1.57).

Young genomic Friesians

The Friesian genomic young sire rankings see Goonhilly Coverack (£PLI 332) retain his top spot, leading the list for milk quality (0.15% fat, 0.12% protein) while offering excellent fertility (4.1) and solid overall health (HealthyCow £155).

Bankhouse Distinction (£PLI 313) stays in second, combining outstanding health (HealthyCow £160) and Lifespan (+98 days) with the breed’s top EnviroCow score of 1.9. This makes Distinction the standout option for environmental efficiency.

Rising to third is Pritch Coverman (£PLI 304), a reliable all-rounder delivering balanced production, excellent udder health (mastitis –2, SCC –5), and respectable EnviroCow performance at 1.5.

Dr Daniel Pitt, AHDB Animal Genetics Manager, said:

“Despite the dominance of the Holstein breed in UK milk production, these indexes show how alternative breeds have much to offer the industry. High milk quality, health and efficiency are all delivered within these rankings which provide a genetically diverse range of solutions to meet UK farmers’ needs.

“The switch of emphasis with this proof run from proven to genomic Jerseys shows how more producers are seeking the youngest genetics, although many of those bulls with proven track records still have much to offer.”

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

VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander