Welcome to the Bullvine Breakdown, where we turn
complex dairy genetics into actionable insights.
Today we're diving into the seismic shifts of
the April 2025 Global Holstein Evaluations. Historic
U .S. genetic base changes, polled sires breaking
into elite tiers, and Germany's revolutionary
single -step method. This episode unpacks it
all. Ever wondered how a 750 -pound milk PTA
drop doesn't actually mean genetic progress is
slowing? Or why pulled bulls like Cardiff P and
Triton PP are suddenly topping leaderboards?
We'll break down the numbers, interview leading
geneticists, and explore what these evaluations
mean for your breeding strategy. Stick around,
whether you're a commercial producer eyeing net
merit stars like Darth Vader or a pedigree breeder
tracking TPI leaders, this episode is your roadmap
to the future of dairy genetics. All right, let's
unpack this mountain of Holstein data that just
landed on our desks, the April 2025 global evaluations.
Yeah, quite the data dump. You sent over the
intel from the US, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland,
plus some seriously interesting global trend
analysis. Forget wading through pages of numbers.
Think of us as your genetic interpreters, you
know, here to highlight the key shifts and what
they really mean for your breeding decisions
back on the farm. Definitely. It's like the global
dairy gene pool just got a major update. Yeah.
And we're here to give you the essential patch
notes. Well, what's fascinating as we dive into
this is seeing how different regions are approaching
genetic improvement right now. We're not just
talking about small incremental changes. There
are some significant methodological updates happening
in some areas and clear priorities emerging in
others. For you, understanding these different
approaches and the resulting trends is going
to be key for making smart long -term decisions.
Okay. Let's start stateside then. And let me
tell you. The U .S. Holstein evaluations have
gone through what you might call a major recalibration,
the biggest genetic base change we have ever
seen. This isn't just a minor adjustment. They've
essentially reset their yardstick basing everything
on the performance of cows born in 2020. Precisely.
So what you're observing are some fairly substantial
numerical drops across the board in predicted
translating abilities or PTAs. We're talking
roughly 750 pounds less milk. 35 pounds less
fat and 30 pounds less protein in those numbers.
Yeah. Now, the crucial thing for you to understand
is that this doesn't automatically mean the top
bulls are genetically inferior to where they
were before in an absolute sense. Right. It's
more about this new baseline. Think of it like
measuring the height of everyone in a room. If
you suddenly use a ruler that starts a few inches
higher, everyone's measured height will be less,
but their height relative to each other hasn't
changed. That's a great way to put it. Genesaur's
captain, for example, is still a leading name,
not because his raw PTA numbers are the same
as before, but because his performance relative
to this new 2020 born average still puts him
at the top of the game. Yeah. Even with the reset
button being hit, he's still one of the tallest
in the room, so to speak. And when we look at
the Genomic Total Performance Index, or TPI rankings,
that's the main index, many U .S. breeders use,
IP cord, is still holding on to that coveted
number one spot with a solid 3D537. It's still
there. Even with this big base change, his ability
to maintain that position really speaks to his
consistent genetic excellence. Following him
closely are some exciting newer bulls, like A
-Bay at 3D506 and Jay -Z at 3D506. And then you've
got the well -known sire, Starth Vader, 3D504.
and Watchmen at $34 .99, rounding out the top
five. What's particularly encouraging for you
is that these top bulls show you don't have to
sacrifice overall balance and traits to achieve
a high TPI. Yeah, good point. And for those of
you really focused on the economics, Darth Vader
is leading the way in net merit, clocking in
at a pretty hefty $1 ,270. That's strong. Ripcord
and Endurance are right behind him. This tells
you that the economic selection indices are really
valuing milk components and how long those cows
are productive in your herd under this new evaluation
system. So those traits are going to have a bigger
impact on that dollar figure. That's a really
critical insight for your breeding decisions.
This base change has also, somewhat unintentionally,
amplified the impact of the increasing rate of
inbreeding within the Holstein breed. Oh, interesting.
Since 2015, inbreeding levels have risen by a
significant 28%. This isn't something you can
afford to ignore. Maintaining genetic diversity
in your herd is vital for long -term health,
fertility, and overall resilience. Absolutely.
So as you're selecting for those high -ranking
bulls, keep an eye on their pedigrees and consider
strategies to manage inbreeding risk in your
matings. Now a little heads up for everyone relying
heavily on calving traits in their selection.
The numbers there are a bit wonky right now.
Yeah, a bit shaky. They are still stabilizing
after this major base change and aren't expected
to really settle down until the August evaluation
update. So maybe hold your horses on making any
big breeding decisions solely based on those
calving ease numbers for the next few months
until things become a bit clearer. Good advice.
It's also important for you to note the continued
impressive progress we're seeing in the red and
white holstein sector in the U .S. We now have
several red and white bulls breaking that 3 ,200
TPI mark. Papaya Red is leading the pack with
a TPI of 3 ,285 and exceptionally strong type
traits. Morris Red and Pegasus Red are also right
up there, demonstrating that you absolutely don't
have to give up top -notch genetics if you prefer
that striking red coat. So for all of you in
the U .S., the main message here is don't panic
when you see those lower numbers. Focus on how
bulls rank relative to each other within this
new base. Adjust your internal thresholds for
selection and stick to a well -rounded breeding
strategy that aligns with your specific farm
goals. All right, let's pivot and take a look
at what's happening north of the border in Canada.
The April evaluations there really highlight
a consistent and balanced approach to genetic
improvement. Yeah, the Canadian dairy folks seem
to have a real knack for that balanced breeding
philosophy, don't they? Leading the genomic GLPI
list, that's their general purpose index, is
OCD Monkey with an impressive 47 .9. And when
you look at his production figures... They're
outstanding. Over 1 ,200 kilograms of milk, 134
kilograms of fat, and 74 kilograms of protein,
all while maintaining strong conformation, especially
in those crucial mammary systems and overall
dairy strength. That's the kind of well -rounded
package many are looking for. Hot on his heels
at 4078 GLPI is Progenesis Impulse, who really
excels in fat production and daughter fertility.
That combination of high production and good
reproductive performance is a real hallmark of
the Canadian breeding scene. It shows they're
not just chasing milk volume. They're also focused
on those traits that contribute to long -term
profitability and cow longevity. And the rest
of the genomic top five Attaway Beyond Fitness,
OCD Milan, and Progenesis Melnick, they really
do reinforce this trend of well -rounded genetics.
You don't see any extreme outliers in one particular
trait. They're strong across the board. Exactly.
And when we look at the daughter proven sires
in Canada, SSIPR Renegade is still holding the
top spot with an LPI of 300 and 850. That's their
lifetime profitability index. Still the king.
His exceptional production and those impressive
feet and legs are backed by a significant amount
of real world daughter data from herds. across
the country, giving breeders a high degree of
confidence in those numbers. For those of you
who really prioritize confirmation, those cows
that look good and stand the test of time. Walnut
Lawn, PG Brightstar, is leading the genomic confirmation
list in Canada. And Blonde and Edgy is the top
daughter -proven sire, particularly excelling
in mammary systems and, you guessed it, those
all -important feet and legs. Always feet and
legs. As we all know, a cow with good structure
is a cow that's going to last in your milking
string. We're also seeing a really interesting
newcomer in the Canadian rankings. Four -home
Vic, Triton PP, who's ranked 30th with a GLPI
of 3 .952. Okay. What's particularly noteworthy
for you is that he's polled and has exceptional
production and component deviations. We're talking
significantly higher fat and protein percentages.
This is a really interesting development, hinting
at a growing global trend that we'll delve into
more later in our discussion. Oh, the polled
factor, yeah. It suggests you might not have
to sacrifice production for pole genetics. So
the Canadian message seems pretty clear. They've
got a deep pool of high -quality genetics available
for breeders looking to make improvements across
all the economically important traits. Their
evaluations really reflect a long -term commitment
to breeding cows that are not only highly productive,
but also built to have long and profitable lives
in your herd. Now let's cross the Atlantic and
take a look at Germany, where they've implemented
a really significant change in how they conduct
their genetic evaluations. You got it. Over in
Germany, they've essentially revamped their entire
system with the introduction of the single -step
method. It sounds a bit like a complicated dance,
but it's actually a pretty revolutionary shift
in how they're assessing genetic merit. It truly
is a fundamental advancement. Traditionally,
genetic evaluations have often used a multi -step
approach, analyzing pedigree information, performance
data from cows, and genomic information separately,
and then combining them. Right. The single -step
method, however, integrates all of that available
information, the pedigree, the actual performance
records of the animals, and their complete DNA
information simultaneously in one comprehensive
analysis. For you, this means more accurate and,
importantly, more reliable predictions of a bull's
true genetic potential. Think of it like getting
the complete picture all at once instead of piecing
it together from different snapshots. And who's
leading the charge in the black and white genomic
rankings under this new single step system? It's
Picard's son, Pennywise, clocking in with an
impressive plus 165 RSVG, which is the German
relative breeding value, a key index for German
breeders. He's shown a nice jump since the December
evaluation, so he's clearly performing well under
this new system. Right on his heels is Real Sin's
son, Rise Up. And then we see a really competitive
group of bulls tied for third place, including
Pirelli, Argentum, Pickup, Alaska, Veno PRC,
and TopChamp. This really highlights the depth
of high -quality black and white genetics available
to you in Germany, even with this major methodological
change. Now, this is where that polled trend
we saw a little glimpse of in Canada really takes
off like a rocket. Yeah, here it comes. Cardiff
Pea is leading the red and white genomic list
in Germany at plus 162 RZG. And get this, three
other polled sires are right there in second
place. Maxine Pea, Schach, and Malager Red. Pulled
genetics are no longer just a niche for breeders
focused on animal welfare. They're right at the
very top of the rankings for overall genetic
merit in the red and whites. It's pretty remarkable.
And when we look at the proven sires in Germany,
those with daughters already in the milk, Ginger
is still holding onto the top spot with a solid
148 RZG. What's really encouraging for your confidence
in these proven bulls is that all of the top
five actually showed positive movement since
the last evaluation. That's good to see. Indicating
continued reliability and strong performance
from their daughters in commercial dairy herds.
Dr. Kristen Schmidtman from VIT, a key player
in the German evaluation system, really summed
it up well when she said, this switch to single
-step is a significant step forward for breeding
both high -producing and healthy cows. It's not
just about getting a slightly different set of
numbers, it's about having greater confidence
that those numbers truly reflect the genetic
potential for traits that matter most to your
bottom line. Exactly. The enhanced reliability
that single -step provides means more stable
breeding values, which translates to more accurate
predictions, especially for those crucial functional
traits like health, fertility, and longevity.
Which can be tricky. Which can sometimes be harder
to measure accurately and have lower reliability
in traditional evaluation systems. We're talking
about potential reliability increases of up to
14 % for some health traits. For you, this is
a game changer because it allows you to make
more informed and confident breeding decisions
aimed at improving the overall health, well -being,
and profitability of your herd in the long run.
14%. That's huge. All right, let's head south
now to the picturesque Swiss Alps and see what's
happening with the Holstein evaluations in Switzerland.
They always seem to have a very clear and consistent
focus on specific key areas. That's right. The
Swiss evaluations for April 2025 show some really
interesting movements, particularly in the proven
sire rankings. Sumer on Boston has made a massive
leap in TPI now. Keep in mind that while other
countries use TPI, the Swiss index may have slightly
different weightings for traits gaining a remarkable
80 points since December. His real strength lies
in that desirable combination of efficient milk
production, with improved daughter fertility,
which, as the Swiss Holstein Association has
highlighted, makes him a really attractive option
for commercial dairy operations that are laser
-focused on profitability and reproductive efficiency.
And the ever -reliable cookie -cutter Hadley
continues to impress in Switzerland, moving up
in their rankings thanks to his exceptional ability
to transmit longevity, those cows that stay in
your herd for more lactations and improve protein
components in their milk. Longevity and protein.
He's really proving his worth as a sire of long
-lasting, productive cows in real -world farm
environments, which is ultimately what we're
all striving for. We've also seen significant
gains for Swisskin Enrico, who's really standing
out for his superior transmission of high protein
percentages in milk, gaining a substantial 70
TPI points since December in Empire, who's showing
notable improvements in the health trade indexes
in the Swiss system. Okay. These trends really
underscore the Swiss emphasis on milk quality
and healthy, robust cows. The genomic young sire
list is where things get even more interesting
in Switzerland, with TGD Holstein Beauty Man
making a big splash right where the top. This
young bull combines elite potential for high
milk production with really eye -catching confirmation
scores. The total package, potentially. which
has definitely got the attention of breeders
who are focused on both performance and the visual
appeal and functional correctness of their animals.
And it's also interesting to note that we're
seeing several sons of cookie cutter Hadley now
appearing in the genomic rankings in Switzerland,
suggesting his strong genetic influence, particularly
for longevity and protein, is going to continue
to be felt for years to come. The key trends
emerging from the Swiss evaluations really emphasize
a strong focus on sustainability in dairy production.
They are clearly prioritizing longevity, enhanced
protein efficiency in milk, advancements in udder
health, which is critical for reducing antibiotic
use, and overall a more balanced approach to
breeding that considers both production and the
well -being and longevity of the animals. Makes
sense. As the Swiss Holstein Association has
pointed out, cows that are highly productive,
remain healthy, and stay in the herd longer are
the ideal profile for environmentally conscious
and economically viable dairy farming, and their
breeding goals clearly reflect that philosophy.
So we've taken a whirlwind tour of the major
Holstein evaluation systems around the globe.
Now, let's step back and look at the bigger picture.
What are some of the common threads and overarching
trends that we're seeing emerge across the U
.S., Canada, Germany, and Switzerland? Well,
one of the most prominent trends that's really
solidified is the continued strengthening of
the balanced breeding approach globally. Yeah,
that seems clear. The top bowls in virtually
every region we've discussed are demonstrating
impressive credentials, not just for milk production,
but also for sound confirmation and those critically
important functional traits like fertility, health,
and longevity. The era of hyper -focusing solely
on maximizing milk volume at the expense of everything
else seems to be steadily receding. And we absolutely
have to circle back to the polled revolution.
The significant rise of polled genetics into
the top echelons of rankings worldwide is undeniable.
From Framholm Vec Triton PP making waves in Canada
with his polled status and high components to
the outright dominance of polled sires in Germany's
red and white rankings. Shit's amazing. It's
crystal clear that you can now confidently select
for the polled trait without having to sacrifice
any of the other key performance indicators.
This is a huge win for animal welfare on dairy
farms, and it's exciting to see it reflected
right at the top of the genetic rankings internationally.
Absolutely. And the advancements we're seeing
in the reliability of genomic evaluations, particularly
with Germany's successful implementation of the
single -step method, are a real game -changer
for the industry. More reliable predictions mean
that you, as dairy breeders, can have greater
confidence in your selection decisions, especially
for those traits that have traditionally been
more challenging to predict accurately, such
as health and fitness. This increased reliability
allows for more targeted and effective genetic
progress in your herds. It's also abundantly
clear that health and fitness treats are a global
priority in dairy breeding. The top bulls across
all these different evaluation systems are consistently
showing improvements in daughter fertility, productive
life, and utter health. The global dairy industry
and the breeders who are driving genetic progress
seem to have a strong collective understanding
of the long -term economic and sustainability
benefits of breeding cows that are not just high
producers, but are also built to last and perform
efficiently over their entire lifetimes. And
finally, when it comes to milk production itself,
the emphasis is increasingly shifting toward
the components, butterfat, and protein percentages,
rather than simply the total volume of milk produced.
Components are king. Bulls with high component
yields and positive component deviations are
highly valued in all these regions, which directly
reflects the growing prevalence of component
-based milk pricing structures around the world.
Switzerland's explicit focus on improving protein
percentages in milk is a prime example of this
important trend. Okay, so we've taken in a massive
amount of information. Now let's bring it all
back to the farm. What does all of this mean
for you and the breeding decisions you're making
for your dairy herd? Well, the overarching message
that really resonates across all of these global
evaluations is the continued and growing importance
of adopting a well -rounded, balanced approach
to your breeding program. Resist the temptation
to chase after just one or two extreme traits.
Instead, focus on identifying those bulls that
offer a strong overall package of high production,
solid confirmation, and robust health and fitness
characteristics that best align with the specific
goals and priorities. of your individual dairy
operation. And if animal welfare is a significant
consideration for you, and frankly, it should
be on every modern dairy farm, the exciting emergence
of elite polled genetics at the very top of these
global rankings now provides a fantastic and
increasingly viable opportunity for you to integrate
this valuable trait into your breeding program
without having to make any compromises on other
key performance indicators. It's no longer a
trade -off you have to make. Don't ever underestimate
the significant and often compounding economic
impact of breeding for healthy and long -lasting
cows in your herd. So true. The consistent global
emphasis on these crucial fitness traits in all
the international evaluation systems directly
underscores their vital link to the long -term
profitability and sustainability of your dairy
business. A cow that stays in your herd for more
lactations and requires fewer health interventions
is quite simply a more profitable cow over her
lifetime. Think very carefully about your specific
milk market and how you are compensated for the
milk you produce. The increasing value being
placed on milk components, the butterfat and
protein in virtually every corner of the dairy
world, strongly suggests that strategically selecting
for bulls that are genetically predisposed to
improve your herd's protein and butterfat percentages
is likely to be a smart and financially sound
long -term strategy for maximizing your milk
revenue. And finally, take real encouragement
from the fact that the ongoing advancements in
the reliability of genetic evaluations, particularly
with the successful implementation of innovative
methods like Germany's single -step system, mean
that you can have more confidence than ever before
in the accuracy of the genetic predictions you
are using to make your critical breeding decisions.
Yeah. This enhanced reliability empowers you
to make more precise and effective selections,
ultimately leading to faster and more predictable
genetic progress within your dairy herd so there
you have it the April 2025 Global Holstein Evaluations,
a fascinating snapshot of historic base changes
in the U .S., the steady and balanced progress
in Canada, the revolutionary single -step methodology
in Germany, and the strong sustainability focus
in Switzerland, all interwoven with the undeniable
rise of pole genetics and the continued global
pursuit of breeding balanced, healthy, and efficient
dairy cows. The key takeaway for you, keep your
breeding goals well -rounded, prioritize the
health and longevity of your animals, This comprehensive
global overview really paints a clear and compelling
picture of where the field of dairy cattle genetics
is heading. As you carefully consider these significant
trends and the unique strengths highlighted within
each of these major international evaluation
systems, what specific strategic adjustments
might you consider implementing in your own breeding
program to best position your dairy herd for
sustained long -term success and enhanced profitability
in this continuously evolving landscape? That's
the crucial question for you to ponder. Some
truly significant food for thought to chew on
folks. We sincerely hope this deep dive into
the latest global Holstein evaluations has provided
you with a much clearer understanding of the
key developments happening on the international
genetics stage. Please keep your insightful questions
coming our way and don't hesitate to let us know
what other complex topics you'd like us to unpack
for you in future deep dives. Until our next
conversation, keep breeding those exceptional
dairy cows. That's our deep dive into the April
2025 evaluations. If you're hungry for more,
Visit thebullvine .com for the full analysis
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time, remember, in a world of shifting genetic
bases, focus on relative progress, not just absolutes.
Thanks for joining us. Signing off from the front
lines of dairy genetics.