Producers set for autumn breeding can turn to £ACI

As autumn approaches, the increasing number of producers in the thick of calving at this time of year will be seeking suitable sires, and can turn their attention to the latest genetic evaluations ranked on Autumn Calving Index (£ACI).

A small reshuffle at the top sees Westcoast Guarantee take the lead, his ACI of £657 reflecting marginally better udder health than the number two bull, Hoanster Zanzibar (ACI £615), the bull with the edge for daughter fertility with which he swaps places. However, both these bulls excel for udder health and fertility, as demonstrated by this across-breed ranking, whose top 20 this month is monopolised by the Holstein breed.   

Third ranking Progenesis Unicorn moves up, ahead of two UK-bred sires, which take joint fourth place. Both Bellemont Perks and Glamour Boghill Casper have ACIs of £595, with both show strong credentials for percentage fat.

“The block calving index rankings are specifically designed to suit autumn and spring block calving herds respectively, and are expressed on an across breed basis for those wishing to compare the strength and weaknesses of bulls from different breeds,” says Fern Pearston, genetics manager for AHDB Dairy. “Each index reflects the different milk and input prices through the seasons as well as the needs of different production systems, and as such, will help producers breed the most suitable cattle for their needs.”

However, she adds: “It’s very important not to look at the components of £ACI or £SCI and compare them with the Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) used in the calculation of £PLI, as these are each expressed against that breed’s average and on that particular breed scale.”