Young movers and shakers lead the Jersey breed

Young genomic sires are playing an increasingly important role in the UK Jersey breed. Climbing from fifth position, ABS AVJ Juiced takes the lead in the new Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) ranking, published today by AHDB.

His PLI of £455 reflects Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) of 439 kg milk, 26.1 kg fat and a list-leading 23.2 kg protein which he combines with good daughter fertility (Fertility Index 6.5) and an EnviroCow of 2.1.

Making the biggest move is VJ Hedemos Carapaz Cincin (PLI £421), who climbs up from ninth and into second place. A well-balanced all-rounder, he offers respectable production alongside strong functional traits, including -15 SCC, a daughter Fertility Index of 7.0 and a HealthyCow of £100.

Continuing to excel in third position is former number one sire, VJ Husted Splash Sultan (PLI £418).

Milk quality (+0.33% fat and a list-leading +0.22% protein) and the highest daughter Fertility Index in the rankings (7.8) are stand-out features and he also excels for health, seen in a HealthyCow of £123, -18 SCC and a Lifespan Index of +94 days.

Previously ranked third, VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander (PLI £408) slips to fourth but remains the list-leader for environmental efficiency with an EnviroCow of 2.6. Leander also delivers solid production at 39.0 kg combined fat and protein.

Completing the top five is VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan (PLI £400), previously ranked second. He combines excellent udder health (-20 SCC) with a strong EnviroCow of 2.5 and impressive daughter lifespans (+88 days).

For those who prefer higher reliability indexes, the offering of daughter-proven Jersey rankings is characterised by exceptional production and environmental efficiency.

In the lead is VJ Grand Maronnier Dandi Bell (PLI £579), who climbs from ninth to take the top spot, impressively leading the breed for milk (602 kg), fat (33.7 kg), protein (29.7 kg) and EnviroCow.

Newcomer, VJ Adelgaard Domino Danka (PLI £454) makes an immediate impact in second, combining outstanding component percentages (+0.33% fat, +0.24% protein) with a balanced package of health and efficiency traits, including a HealthyCow of £124, EnviroCow of 2.0 and daughter Fertility Index of 6.6.

Completing the top three is VJ Christiansborg Steno Shine (PLI £453), previously eighth, offering exceptional production (585 kg milk and 54.8 kg combined fat and protein) alongside an excellent EnviroCow score of 2.6.

Claiming the top spot in the daughter-proven Ayrshire rankings is VR Venom (PLI £530), a bull which has featured in this position before but rises from fourth position on this occasion as more daughters are added to his evaluation.

He heads the breed for daughter fertility (FI 23.1) and HealthyCow (£241), while also offering excellent milk components (+0.20% fat, +0.12% protein) and an impressive EnviroCow of 2.4. His proof is now backed by 516 UK daughters, underlining the reliability of his evaluation.

Moving into second is Tontine Astorwell (PLI £510), previously third. He continues to dominate for production, leading the rankings for milk (889kg), fat (23.7 kg) and protein (29.4 kg), while also topping the list for environmental efficiency with an EnviroCow score of 2.8.

Rising from sixth to third is VR Viljar Vilperi (PLI £374). He combines the best cell count improvement in the rankings (SCC -25) with strong component percentages (+0.15% fat, +0.14% protein), outstanding fertility (FI 20.4) and an excellent HealthyCow of £213.

A new entry in fourth is Kamouraska Bournstar (PLI £210), making an immediate impact with exceptional production at 799 kg milk and 39.1 kg fat plus protein.

Completing the top five is Ardmore Crown Napier (PLI £201), climbing from ninth. He leads the breed for both Lifespan Index (+85 days) and Mastitis resistance (-3), while also offering a strong HealthyCow of £175.

Unmoveable in the top spot, Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £307), remains a proven all-round performer within the daughter-proven section of the Friesian breed, combining 25.0 kg fat plus protein with excellent udder health (SCC -13), strong daughter fertility (FI 6.9), and a solid EnviroCow of 1.5.

Climbing from fourth to second is Goonhilly Isaac (PLI £278), excelling for milk quality at +0.13% fat and a breed-leading +0.12% protein. He is the joint leader for EnviroCow (1.6), also offering a respectable Lifespan Index of +43 days.

Dalino remains a dependable all-rounder and holds on to third place, his PLI of £267 reflecting 22.2 kg combined fat and protein with excellent functional traits, including -13 SCC and a daughter Fertility Index of 7.0.

Rising from sixth to fourth is Inch Next (PLI £258), standing out for production, at 202 kg milk, 14.3kg fat and the highest protein yield in the rankings at 12.8 kg. He also shares the highest EnviroCow score in the group at 1.6.

Completing the top five is Goonhilly Cornelly (PLI £247), previously ranked second. A well-balanced sire, he combines good environmental credentials (EnviroCow 1.5) with respectable production and health traits, making him another reliable all-round option.

Young genomic Friesians

The Friesian young genomic rankings continue to be dominated by bulls with outstanding environmental credentials, with Bankhouse Edward (PLI £317) leading the way.

He combines excellent production (356 kg milk, 14.8 kg fat, 14.9 kg protein) with a joint-leading EnviroCow score of 1.7.

Climbing into second is Whinnow Ambition (PLI £308), transmitting an exceptional 466 kg milk alongside an impressive lifespan (+88 days), a HealthyCow of £139 and matching the top EnviroCow score of 1.7.

Completing the top three is Pritch Coverman (PLI £302), who combines respectable environmental credentials (EnviroCow 1.5) with good components (+0.06% fat, +0.09% protein), excellent udder health (-6 SCC, -2 Mastitis) and a HealthyCow of £133.

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

"These non-Holstein breeds form an important part of the UK dairy industry used either for pure- or cross-breeding. However, it’s important to note 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.