Strong components bull retains spring calving index lead

The top spot on the Spring Calving Index (£SCI) list, published today, remains in the hands of Jersey sire, Danish VJ Tester (SCI £467). Tester’s strong milk components earn him the lead in this slightly more components focussed index, over the higher yielding Holstein, Westcoast Guarantee, in second place.

Progenis Unicorn ranks third on £SCI, while UK-bred Glamour Bogill Casper moves up to fourth place. Hoanster Zanzibar now ranks fifth, and the high components Holstein, Mr Rubi-Agronaut joins the top tier with an SCI of £421.

“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.”