WEBVTT 00:00:10.429 --> 00:00:13.109 Welcome to the Bullvine Breakdown, where we turn 00:00:13.109 --> 00:00:15.890 complex dairy genetics into actionable insights. 00:00:16.410 --> 00:00:19.170 Today we're diving into the seismic shifts of 00:00:19.170 --> 00:00:23.489 the April 2025 Global Holstein Evaluations. Historic 00:00:23.489 --> 00:00:26.149 U .S. genetic base changes, polled sires breaking 00:00:26.149 --> 00:00:28.730 into elite tiers, and Germany's revolutionary 00:00:28.730 --> 00:00:31.829 single -step method. This episode unpacks it 00:00:31.829 --> 00:00:35.549 all. Ever wondered how a 750 -pound milk PTA 00:00:35.549 --> 00:00:38.250 drop doesn't actually mean genetic progress is 00:00:38.250 --> 00:00:41.289 slowing? Or why pulled bulls like Cardiff P and 00:00:41.289 --> 00:00:44.109 Triton PP are suddenly topping leaderboards? 00:00:44.689 --> 00:00:47.210 We'll break down the numbers, interview leading 00:00:47.210 --> 00:00:49.509 geneticists, and explore what these evaluations 00:00:49.509 --> 00:00:52.990 mean for your breeding strategy. Stick around, 00:00:53.250 --> 00:00:55.670 whether you're a commercial producer eyeing net 00:00:55.670 --> 00:00:58.869 merit stars like Darth Vader or a pedigree breeder 00:00:58.869 --> 00:01:02.270 tracking TPI leaders, this episode is your roadmap 00:01:02.270 --> 00:01:05.709 to the future of dairy genetics. All right, let's 00:01:05.709 --> 00:01:09.290 unpack this mountain of Holstein data that just 00:01:09.290 --> 00:01:13.310 landed on our desks, the April 2025 global evaluations. 00:01:13.790 --> 00:01:15.909 Yeah, quite the data dump. You sent over the 00:01:15.909 --> 00:01:19.189 intel from the US, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland, 00:01:19.409 --> 00:01:22.569 plus some seriously interesting global trend 00:01:22.569 --> 00:01:25.920 analysis. Forget wading through pages of numbers. 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:28.420 Think of us as your genetic interpreters, you 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:31.319 know, here to highlight the key shifts and what 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:32.900 they really mean for your breeding decisions 00:01:32.900 --> 00:01:35.299 back on the farm. Definitely. It's like the global 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:38.400 dairy gene pool just got a major update. Yeah. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:40.120 And we're here to give you the essential patch 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:42.239 notes. Well, what's fascinating as we dive into 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:45.140 this is seeing how different regions are approaching 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:47.560 genetic improvement right now. We're not just 00:01:47.560 --> 00:01:49.900 talking about small incremental changes. There 00:01:49.900 --> 00:01:52.439 are some significant methodological updates happening 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:55.959 in some areas and clear priorities emerging in 00:01:55.959 --> 00:01:58.560 others. For you, understanding these different 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:00.620 approaches and the resulting trends is going 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:02.959 to be key for making smart long -term decisions. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:06.079 Okay. Let's start stateside then. And let me 00:02:06.079 --> 00:02:08.719 tell you. The U .S. Holstein evaluations have 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:11.979 gone through what you might call a major recalibration, 00:02:12.199 --> 00:02:14.960 the biggest genetic base change we have ever 00:02:14.960 --> 00:02:18.120 seen. This isn't just a minor adjustment. They've 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:21.060 essentially reset their yardstick basing everything 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:24.199 on the performance of cows born in 2020. Precisely. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:27.360 So what you're observing are some fairly substantial 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:30.500 numerical drops across the board in predicted 00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:33.319 translating abilities or PTAs. We're talking 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:38.000 roughly 750 pounds less milk. 35 pounds less 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.400 fat and 30 pounds less protein in those numbers. 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:42.319 Yeah. Now, the crucial thing for you to understand 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:44.419 is that this doesn't automatically mean the top 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:46.280 bulls are genetically inferior to where they 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:49.060 were before in an absolute sense. Right. It's 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:51.379 more about this new baseline. Think of it like 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:53.300 measuring the height of everyone in a room. If 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:55.500 you suddenly use a ruler that starts a few inches 00:02:55.500 --> 00:02:57.900 higher, everyone's measured height will be less, 00:02:57.960 --> 00:03:00.120 but their height relative to each other hasn't 00:03:00.120 --> 00:03:02.830 changed. That's a great way to put it. Genesaur's 00:03:02.830 --> 00:03:04.810 captain, for example, is still a leading name, 00:03:04.930 --> 00:03:07.050 not because his raw PTA numbers are the same 00:03:07.050 --> 00:03:09.729 as before, but because his performance relative 00:03:09.729 --> 00:03:13.090 to this new 2020 born average still puts him 00:03:13.090 --> 00:03:15.430 at the top of the game. Yeah. Even with the reset 00:03:15.430 --> 00:03:17.770 button being hit, he's still one of the tallest 00:03:17.770 --> 00:03:20.270 in the room, so to speak. And when we look at 00:03:20.270 --> 00:03:23.189 the Genomic Total Performance Index, or TPI rankings, 00:03:23.389 --> 00:03:25.750 that's the main index, many U .S. breeders use, 00:03:25.949 --> 00:03:28.990 IP cord, is still holding on to that coveted 00:03:28.990 --> 00:03:32.189 number one spot with a solid 3D537. It's still 00:03:32.189 --> 00:03:35.129 there. Even with this big base change, his ability 00:03:35.129 --> 00:03:37.069 to maintain that position really speaks to his 00:03:37.069 --> 00:03:39.469 consistent genetic excellence. Following him 00:03:39.469 --> 00:03:42.189 closely are some exciting newer bulls, like A 00:03:42.189 --> 00:03:45.729 -Bay at 3D506 and Jay -Z at 3D506. And then you've 00:03:45.729 --> 00:03:48.150 got the well -known sire, Starth Vader, 3D504. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:51.060 and Watchmen at $34 .99, rounding out the top 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:53.699 five. What's particularly encouraging for you 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:55.819 is that these top bulls show you don't have to 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:58.500 sacrifice overall balance and traits to achieve 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:00.900 a high TPI. Yeah, good point. And for those of 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:03.280 you really focused on the economics, Darth Vader 00:04:03.280 --> 00:04:05.360 is leading the way in net merit, clocking in 00:04:05.360 --> 00:04:09.110 at a pretty hefty $1 ,270. That's strong. Ripcord 00:04:09.110 --> 00:04:11.969 and Endurance are right behind him. This tells 00:04:11.969 --> 00:04:15.250 you that the economic selection indices are really 00:04:15.250 --> 00:04:19.110 valuing milk components and how long those cows 00:04:19.110 --> 00:04:21.709 are productive in your herd under this new evaluation 00:04:21.709 --> 00:04:24.550 system. So those traits are going to have a bigger 00:04:24.550 --> 00:04:27.370 impact on that dollar figure. That's a really 00:04:27.370 --> 00:04:29.329 critical insight for your breeding decisions. 00:04:29.689 --> 00:04:33.589 This base change has also, somewhat unintentionally, 00:04:33.589 --> 00:04:35.910 amplified the impact of the increasing rate of 00:04:35.910 --> 00:04:38.410 inbreeding within the Holstein breed. Oh, interesting. 00:04:38.670 --> 00:04:41.810 Since 2015, inbreeding levels have risen by a 00:04:41.810 --> 00:04:44.529 significant 28%. This isn't something you can 00:04:44.529 --> 00:04:47.430 afford to ignore. Maintaining genetic diversity 00:04:47.430 --> 00:04:49.670 in your herd is vital for long -term health, 00:04:49.810 --> 00:04:52.069 fertility, and overall resilience. Absolutely. 00:04:52.250 --> 00:04:54.290 So as you're selecting for those high -ranking 00:04:54.290 --> 00:04:56.730 bulls, keep an eye on their pedigrees and consider 00:04:56.730 --> 00:04:58.949 strategies to manage inbreeding risk in your 00:04:58.949 --> 00:05:01.430 matings. Now a little heads up for everyone relying 00:05:01.430 --> 00:05:03.870 heavily on calving traits in their selection. 00:05:04.089 --> 00:05:06.350 The numbers there are a bit wonky right now. 00:05:06.389 --> 00:05:08.899 Yeah, a bit shaky. They are still stabilizing 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:11.620 after this major base change and aren't expected 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.920 to really settle down until the August evaluation 00:05:13.920 --> 00:05:17.199 update. So maybe hold your horses on making any 00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:19.379 big breeding decisions solely based on those 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:21.699 calving ease numbers for the next few months 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:24.519 until things become a bit clearer. Good advice. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:27.079 It's also important for you to note the continued 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:29.519 impressive progress we're seeing in the red and 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:32.459 white holstein sector in the U .S. We now have 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:35.420 several red and white bulls breaking that 3 ,200 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:39.220 TPI mark. Papaya Red is leading the pack with 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:42.740 a TPI of 3 ,285 and exceptionally strong type 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:45.779 traits. Morris Red and Pegasus Red are also right 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:48.000 up there, demonstrating that you absolutely don't 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.000 have to give up top -notch genetics if you prefer 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:52.600 that striking red coat. So for all of you in 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:55.199 the U .S., the main message here is don't panic 00:05:55.199 --> 00:05:57.560 when you see those lower numbers. Focus on how 00:05:57.560 --> 00:05:59.660 bulls rank relative to each other within this 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:02.319 new base. Adjust your internal thresholds for 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:05.399 selection and stick to a well -rounded breeding 00:06:05.399 --> 00:06:07.420 strategy that aligns with your specific farm 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:09.220 goals. All right, let's pivot and take a look 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:10.899 at what's happening north of the border in Canada. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.639 The April evaluations there really highlight 00:06:13.639 --> 00:06:16.160 a consistent and balanced approach to genetic 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:18.620 improvement. Yeah, the Canadian dairy folks seem 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:20.500 to have a real knack for that balanced breeding 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:23.480 philosophy, don't they? Leading the genomic GLPI 00:06:23.480 --> 00:06:25.860 list, that's their general purpose index, is 00:06:25.860 --> 00:06:30.740 OCD Monkey with an impressive 47 .9. And when 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:32.699 you look at his production figures... They're 00:06:32.699 --> 00:06:36.540 outstanding. Over 1 ,200 kilograms of milk, 134 00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:39.740 kilograms of fat, and 74 kilograms of protein, 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:42.560 all while maintaining strong conformation, especially 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:44.600 in those crucial mammary systems and overall 00:06:44.600 --> 00:06:46.920 dairy strength. That's the kind of well -rounded 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:49.800 package many are looking for. Hot on his heels 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:54.399 at 4078 GLPI is Progenesis Impulse, who really 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:56.439 excels in fat production and daughter fertility. 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:59.279 That combination of high production and good 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:01.980 reproductive performance is a real hallmark of 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:03.920 the Canadian breeding scene. It shows they're 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:05.759 not just chasing milk volume. They're also focused 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:07.699 on those traits that contribute to long -term 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:11.060 profitability and cow longevity. And the rest 00:07:11.060 --> 00:07:13.819 of the genomic top five Attaway Beyond Fitness, 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:17.360 OCD Milan, and Progenesis Melnick, they really 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:20.120 do reinforce this trend of well -rounded genetics. 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:23.660 You don't see any extreme outliers in one particular 00:07:23.660 --> 00:07:25.980 trait. They're strong across the board. Exactly. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:28.459 And when we look at the daughter proven sires 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:32.399 in Canada, SSIPR Renegade is still holding the 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.959 top spot with an LPI of 300 and 850. That's their 00:07:35.959 --> 00:07:38.560 lifetime profitability index. Still the king. 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:41.019 His exceptional production and those impressive 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:43.860 feet and legs are backed by a significant amount 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:46.959 of real world daughter data from herds. across 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.139 the country, giving breeders a high degree of 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.879 confidence in those numbers. For those of you 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:53.600 who really prioritize confirmation, those cows 00:07:53.600 --> 00:07:56.160 that look good and stand the test of time. Walnut 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:58.660 Lawn, PG Brightstar, is leading the genomic confirmation 00:07:58.660 --> 00:08:01.540 list in Canada. And Blonde and Edgy is the top 00:08:01.540 --> 00:08:04.100 daughter -proven sire, particularly excelling 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:06.579 in mammary systems and, you guessed it, those 00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:08.699 all -important feet and legs. Always feet and 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:10.939 legs. As we all know, a cow with good structure 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.899 is a cow that's going to last in your milking 00:08:12.899 --> 00:08:14.860 string. We're also seeing a really interesting 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:18.079 newcomer in the Canadian rankings. Four -home 00:08:18.079 --> 00:08:21.339 Vic, Triton PP, who's ranked 30th with a GLPI 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:25.379 of 3 .952. Okay. What's particularly noteworthy 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:27.740 for you is that he's polled and has exceptional 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:30.759 production and component deviations. We're talking 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:33.820 significantly higher fat and protein percentages. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:36.440 This is a really interesting development, hinting 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:40.059 at a growing global trend that we'll delve into 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:42.100 more later in our discussion. Oh, the polled 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:44.659 factor, yeah. It suggests you might not have 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:47.450 to sacrifice production for pole genetics. So 00:08:47.450 --> 00:08:50.070 the Canadian message seems pretty clear. They've 00:08:50.070 --> 00:08:52.789 got a deep pool of high -quality genetics available 00:08:52.789 --> 00:08:55.169 for breeders looking to make improvements across 00:08:55.169 --> 00:08:57.889 all the economically important traits. Their 00:08:57.889 --> 00:09:00.409 evaluations really reflect a long -term commitment 00:09:00.409 --> 00:09:02.889 to breeding cows that are not only highly productive, 00:09:02.990 --> 00:09:05.669 but also built to have long and profitable lives 00:09:05.669 --> 00:09:07.830 in your herd. Now let's cross the Atlantic and 00:09:07.830 --> 00:09:09.750 take a look at Germany, where they've implemented 00:09:09.750 --> 00:09:12.029 a really significant change in how they conduct 00:09:12.029 --> 00:09:14.779 their genetic evaluations. You got it. Over in 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:16.940 Germany, they've essentially revamped their entire 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:19.200 system with the introduction of the single -step 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:22.259 method. It sounds a bit like a complicated dance, 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:24.340 but it's actually a pretty revolutionary shift 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:27.139 in how they're assessing genetic merit. It truly 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:29.720 is a fundamental advancement. Traditionally, 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:32.639 genetic evaluations have often used a multi -step 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.700 approach, analyzing pedigree information, performance 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:38.940 data from cows, and genomic information separately, 00:09:39.120 --> 00:09:41.610 and then combining them. Right. The single -step 00:09:41.610 --> 00:09:44.250 method, however, integrates all of that available 00:09:44.250 --> 00:09:47.470 information, the pedigree, the actual performance 00:09:47.470 --> 00:09:50.009 records of the animals, and their complete DNA 00:09:50.009 --> 00:09:53.049 information simultaneously in one comprehensive 00:09:53.049 --> 00:09:56.169 analysis. For you, this means more accurate and, 00:09:56.250 --> 00:09:59.330 importantly, more reliable predictions of a bull's 00:09:59.330 --> 00:10:02.330 true genetic potential. Think of it like getting 00:10:02.330 --> 00:10:04.769 the complete picture all at once instead of piecing 00:10:04.769 --> 00:10:07.059 it together from different snapshots. And who's 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:09.200 leading the charge in the black and white genomic 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:12.279 rankings under this new single step system? It's 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:14.700 Picard's son, Pennywise, clocking in with an 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:18.179 impressive plus 165 RSVG, which is the German 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:20.679 relative breeding value, a key index for German 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:23.220 breeders. He's shown a nice jump since the December 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:25.779 evaluation, so he's clearly performing well under 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:28.980 this new system. Right on his heels is Real Sin's 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.840 son, Rise Up. And then we see a really competitive 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:34.919 group of bulls tied for third place, including 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:39.419 Pirelli, Argentum, Pickup, Alaska, Veno PRC, 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:42.159 and TopChamp. This really highlights the depth 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:44.000 of high -quality black and white genetics available 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:46.600 to you in Germany, even with this major methodological 00:10:46.600 --> 00:10:48.700 change. Now, this is where that polled trend 00:10:48.700 --> 00:10:51.159 we saw a little glimpse of in Canada really takes 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:53.259 off like a rocket. Yeah, here it comes. Cardiff 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.960 Pea is leading the red and white genomic list 00:10:54.960 --> 00:10:58.320 in Germany at plus 162 RZG. And get this, three 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:00.039 other polled sires are right there in second 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:03.779 place. Maxine Pea, Schach, and Malager Red. Pulled 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:06.100 genetics are no longer just a niche for breeders 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:08.320 focused on animal welfare. They're right at the 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:10.240 very top of the rankings for overall genetic 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.799 merit in the red and whites. It's pretty remarkable. 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:15.440 And when we look at the proven sires in Germany, 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:19.799 those with daughters already in the milk, Ginger 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.559 is still holding onto the top spot with a solid 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:27.309 148 RZG. What's really encouraging for your confidence 00:11:27.309 --> 00:11:29.970 in these proven bulls is that all of the top 00:11:29.970 --> 00:11:32.789 five actually showed positive movement since 00:11:32.789 --> 00:11:35.090 the last evaluation. That's good to see. Indicating 00:11:35.090 --> 00:11:37.710 continued reliability and strong performance 00:11:37.710 --> 00:11:40.110 from their daughters in commercial dairy herds. 00:11:40.149 --> 00:11:42.809 Dr. Kristen Schmidtman from VIT, a key player 00:11:42.809 --> 00:11:45.429 in the German evaluation system, really summed 00:11:45.429 --> 00:11:47.470 it up well when she said, this switch to single 00:11:47.470 --> 00:11:49.950 -step is a significant step forward for breeding 00:11:49.950 --> 00:11:53.070 both high -producing and healthy cows. It's not 00:11:53.070 --> 00:11:55.110 just about getting a slightly different set of 00:11:55.110 --> 00:11:57.309 numbers, it's about having greater confidence 00:11:57.309 --> 00:11:59.509 that those numbers truly reflect the genetic 00:11:59.509 --> 00:12:01.850 potential for traits that matter most to your 00:12:01.850 --> 00:12:04.570 bottom line. Exactly. The enhanced reliability 00:12:04.570 --> 00:12:07.029 that single -step provides means more stable 00:12:07.029 --> 00:12:09.370 breeding values, which translates to more accurate 00:12:09.370 --> 00:12:11.809 predictions, especially for those crucial functional 00:12:11.809 --> 00:12:14.309 traits like health, fertility, and longevity. 00:12:14.649 --> 00:12:17.350 Which can be tricky. Which can sometimes be harder 00:12:17.350 --> 00:12:19.850 to measure accurately and have lower reliability 00:12:19.850 --> 00:12:22.529 in traditional evaluation systems. We're talking 00:12:22.529 --> 00:12:25.049 about potential reliability increases of up to 00:12:25.049 --> 00:12:28.649 14 % for some health traits. For you, this is 00:12:28.649 --> 00:12:30.429 a game changer because it allows you to make 00:12:30.429 --> 00:12:32.110 more informed and confident breeding decisions 00:12:32.110 --> 00:12:35.350 aimed at improving the overall health, well -being, 00:12:35.370 --> 00:12:37.389 and profitability of your herd in the long run. 00:12:37.679 --> 00:12:40.740 14%. That's huge. All right, let's head south 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:43.340 now to the picturesque Swiss Alps and see what's 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:45.580 happening with the Holstein evaluations in Switzerland. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:48.519 They always seem to have a very clear and consistent 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:52.480 focus on specific key areas. That's right. The 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:55.279 Swiss evaluations for April 2025 show some really 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:57.240 interesting movements, particularly in the proven 00:12:57.240 --> 00:13:00.720 sire rankings. Sumer on Boston has made a massive 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.299 leap in TPI now. Keep in mind that while other 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:05.759 countries use TPI, the Swiss index may have slightly 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:07.820 different weightings for traits gaining a remarkable 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:11.000 80 points since December. His real strength lies 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:14.159 in that desirable combination of efficient milk 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.509 production, with improved daughter fertility, 00:13:16.830 --> 00:13:19.730 which, as the Swiss Holstein Association has 00:13:19.730 --> 00:13:22.210 highlighted, makes him a really attractive option 00:13:22.210 --> 00:13:25.190 for commercial dairy operations that are laser 00:13:25.190 --> 00:13:27.389 -focused on profitability and reproductive efficiency. 00:13:27.769 --> 00:13:30.370 And the ever -reliable cookie -cutter Hadley 00:13:30.370 --> 00:13:33.289 continues to impress in Switzerland, moving up 00:13:33.289 --> 00:13:35.409 in their rankings thanks to his exceptional ability 00:13:35.409 --> 00:13:38.509 to transmit longevity, those cows that stay in 00:13:38.509 --> 00:13:40.649 your herd for more lactations and improve protein 00:13:40.649 --> 00:13:43.789 components in their milk. Longevity and protein. 00:13:43.950 --> 00:13:46.669 He's really proving his worth as a sire of long 00:13:46.669 --> 00:13:49.509 -lasting, productive cows in real -world farm 00:13:49.509 --> 00:13:51.289 environments, which is ultimately what we're 00:13:51.289 --> 00:13:53.330 all striving for. We've also seen significant 00:13:53.330 --> 00:13:56.350 gains for Swisskin Enrico, who's really standing 00:13:56.350 --> 00:13:58.750 out for his superior transmission of high protein 00:13:58.750 --> 00:14:01.389 percentages in milk, gaining a substantial 70 00:14:01.389 --> 00:14:04.690 TPI points since December in Empire, who's showing 00:14:04.690 --> 00:14:07.350 notable improvements in the health trade indexes 00:14:07.350 --> 00:14:09.590 in the Swiss system. Okay. These trends really 00:14:09.590 --> 00:14:11.769 underscore the Swiss emphasis on milk quality 00:14:11.769 --> 00:14:14.769 and healthy, robust cows. The genomic young sire 00:14:14.769 --> 00:14:16.909 list is where things get even more interesting 00:14:16.909 --> 00:14:19.389 in Switzerland, with TGD Holstein Beauty Man 00:14:19.389 --> 00:14:22.570 making a big splash right where the top. This 00:14:22.570 --> 00:14:25.009 young bull combines elite potential for high 00:14:25.009 --> 00:14:27.629 milk production with really eye -catching confirmation 00:14:27.629 --> 00:14:30.039 scores. The total package, potentially. which 00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:32.139 has definitely got the attention of breeders 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:35.200 who are focused on both performance and the visual 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:37.759 appeal and functional correctness of their animals. 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:40.240 And it's also interesting to note that we're 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:42.919 seeing several sons of cookie cutter Hadley now 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:45.100 appearing in the genomic rankings in Switzerland, 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:48.519 suggesting his strong genetic influence, particularly 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:51.519 for longevity and protein, is going to continue 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:54.110 to be felt for years to come. The key trends 00:14:54.110 --> 00:14:56.549 emerging from the Swiss evaluations really emphasize 00:14:56.549 --> 00:14:59.590 a strong focus on sustainability in dairy production. 00:14:59.889 --> 00:15:03.389 They are clearly prioritizing longevity, enhanced 00:15:03.389 --> 00:15:06.470 protein efficiency in milk, advancements in udder 00:15:06.470 --> 00:15:08.429 health, which is critical for reducing antibiotic 00:15:08.429 --> 00:15:11.309 use, and overall a more balanced approach to 00:15:11.309 --> 00:15:13.769 breeding that considers both production and the 00:15:13.769 --> 00:15:15.730 well -being and longevity of the animals. Makes 00:15:15.730 --> 00:15:17.750 sense. As the Swiss Holstein Association has 00:15:17.750 --> 00:15:19.769 pointed out, cows that are highly productive, 00:15:19.929 --> 00:15:22.750 remain healthy, and stay in the herd longer are 00:15:22.750 --> 00:15:25.230 the ideal profile for environmentally conscious 00:15:25.230 --> 00:15:28.529 and economically viable dairy farming, and their 00:15:28.529 --> 00:15:30.870 breeding goals clearly reflect that philosophy. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.860 So we've taken a whirlwind tour of the major 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:36.100 Holstein evaluation systems around the globe. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:38.539 Now, let's step back and look at the bigger picture. 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:41.460 What are some of the common threads and overarching 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:43.759 trends that we're seeing emerge across the U 00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:46.580 .S., Canada, Germany, and Switzerland? Well, 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.179 one of the most prominent trends that's really 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:50.340 solidified is the continued strengthening of 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:52.580 the balanced breeding approach globally. Yeah, 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:55.340 that seems clear. The top bowls in virtually 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:57.340 every region we've discussed are demonstrating 00:15:57.340 --> 00:16:00.080 impressive credentials, not just for milk production, 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:03.279 but also for sound confirmation and those critically 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.940 important functional traits like fertility, health, 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:09.480 and longevity. The era of hyper -focusing solely 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:12.240 on maximizing milk volume at the expense of everything 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:15.460 else seems to be steadily receding. And we absolutely 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.899 have to circle back to the polled revolution. 00:16:17.470 --> 00:16:19.870 The significant rise of polled genetics into 00:16:19.870 --> 00:16:23.090 the top echelons of rankings worldwide is undeniable. 00:16:23.309 --> 00:16:27.990 From Framholm Vec Triton PP making waves in Canada 00:16:27.990 --> 00:16:30.690 with his polled status and high components to 00:16:30.690 --> 00:16:34.450 the outright dominance of polled sires in Germany's 00:16:34.450 --> 00:16:36.669 red and white rankings. Shit's amazing. It's 00:16:36.669 --> 00:16:39.450 crystal clear that you can now confidently select 00:16:39.450 --> 00:16:41.950 for the polled trait without having to sacrifice 00:16:41.950 --> 00:16:44.129 any of the other key performance indicators. 00:16:44.429 --> 00:16:47.440 This is a huge win for animal welfare on dairy 00:16:47.440 --> 00:16:49.659 farms, and it's exciting to see it reflected 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:52.000 right at the top of the genetic rankings internationally. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:55.000 Absolutely. And the advancements we're seeing 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:57.820 in the reliability of genomic evaluations, particularly 00:16:57.820 --> 00:17:00.460 with Germany's successful implementation of the 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:02.980 single -step method, are a real game -changer 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:05.619 for the industry. More reliable predictions mean 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:08.079 that you, as dairy breeders, can have greater 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:10.700 confidence in your selection decisions, especially 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.519 for those traits that have traditionally been 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:15.220 more challenging to predict accurately, such 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:17.500 as health and fitness. This increased reliability 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:19.799 allows for more targeted and effective genetic 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:22.440 progress in your herds. It's also abundantly 00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:24.960 clear that health and fitness treats are a global 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:27.940 priority in dairy breeding. The top bulls across 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:30.619 all these different evaluation systems are consistently 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:34.009 showing improvements in daughter fertility, productive 00:17:34.009 --> 00:17:37.380 life, and utter health. The global dairy industry 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:40.180 and the breeders who are driving genetic progress 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:42.339 seem to have a strong collective understanding 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:44.700 of the long -term economic and sustainability 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:47.759 benefits of breeding cows that are not just high 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:50.480 producers, but are also built to last and perform 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:53.299 efficiently over their entire lifetimes. And 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:55.359 finally, when it comes to milk production itself, 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:58.119 the emphasis is increasingly shifting toward 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:00.279 the components, butterfat, and protein percentages, 00:18:00.519 --> 00:18:03.480 rather than simply the total volume of milk produced. 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:05.759 Components are king. Bulls with high component 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.799 yields and positive component deviations are 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:10.480 highly valued in all these regions, which directly 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:12.779 reflects the growing prevalence of component 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:15.680 -based milk pricing structures around the world. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.980 Switzerland's explicit focus on improving protein 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.759 percentages in milk is a prime example of this 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.579 important trend. Okay, so we've taken in a massive 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.940 amount of information. Now let's bring it all 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:29.240 back to the farm. What does all of this mean 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:31.640 for you and the breeding decisions you're making 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:34.339 for your dairy herd? Well, the overarching message 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:36.799 that really resonates across all of these global 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:40.440 evaluations is the continued and growing importance 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:43.519 of adopting a well -rounded, balanced approach 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:46.359 to your breeding program. Resist the temptation 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:48.819 to chase after just one or two extreme traits. 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:52.240 Instead, focus on identifying those bulls that 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:54.799 offer a strong overall package of high production, 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:58.619 solid confirmation, and robust health and fitness 00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:01.359 characteristics that best align with the specific 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:03.970 goals and priorities. of your individual dairy 00:19:03.970 --> 00:19:07.289 operation. And if animal welfare is a significant 00:19:07.289 --> 00:19:09.529 consideration for you, and frankly, it should 00:19:09.529 --> 00:19:12.410 be on every modern dairy farm, the exciting emergence 00:19:12.410 --> 00:19:15.569 of elite polled genetics at the very top of these 00:19:15.569 --> 00:19:18.750 global rankings now provides a fantastic and 00:19:18.750 --> 00:19:21.190 increasingly viable opportunity for you to integrate 00:19:21.190 --> 00:19:23.230 this valuable trait into your breeding program 00:19:23.230 --> 00:19:25.769 without having to make any compromises on other 00:19:25.769 --> 00:19:28.109 key performance indicators. It's no longer a 00:19:28.109 --> 00:19:30.430 trade -off you have to make. Don't ever underestimate 00:19:30.430 --> 00:19:32.849 the significant and often compounding economic 00:19:32.849 --> 00:19:35.569 impact of breeding for healthy and long -lasting 00:19:35.569 --> 00:19:38.750 cows in your herd. So true. The consistent global 00:19:38.750 --> 00:19:41.309 emphasis on these crucial fitness traits in all 00:19:41.309 --> 00:19:43.829 the international evaluation systems directly 00:19:43.829 --> 00:19:46.569 underscores their vital link to the long -term 00:19:46.569 --> 00:19:48.670 profitability and sustainability of your dairy 00:19:48.670 --> 00:19:51.009 business. A cow that stays in your herd for more 00:19:51.009 --> 00:19:53.329 lactations and requires fewer health interventions 00:19:53.329 --> 00:19:56.809 is quite simply a more profitable cow over her 00:19:56.809 --> 00:19:59.490 lifetime. Think very carefully about your specific 00:19:59.490 --> 00:20:02.210 milk market and how you are compensated for the 00:20:02.210 --> 00:20:04.950 milk you produce. The increasing value being 00:20:04.950 --> 00:20:07.470 placed on milk components, the butterfat and 00:20:07.470 --> 00:20:09.670 protein in virtually every corner of the dairy 00:20:09.670 --> 00:20:12.549 world, strongly suggests that strategically selecting 00:20:12.549 --> 00:20:14.690 for bulls that are genetically predisposed to 00:20:14.690 --> 00:20:16.769 improve your herd's protein and butterfat percentages 00:20:16.769 --> 00:20:19.529 is likely to be a smart and financially sound 00:20:19.529 --> 00:20:22.170 long -term strategy for maximizing your milk 00:20:22.170 --> 00:20:24.829 revenue. And finally, take real encouragement 00:20:24.829 --> 00:20:27.289 from the fact that the ongoing advancements in 00:20:27.289 --> 00:20:30.150 the reliability of genetic evaluations, particularly 00:20:30.150 --> 00:20:32.589 with the successful implementation of innovative 00:20:32.589 --> 00:20:35.509 methods like Germany's single -step system, mean 00:20:35.509 --> 00:20:37.569 that you can have more confidence than ever before 00:20:37.569 --> 00:20:40.470 in the accuracy of the genetic predictions you 00:20:40.470 --> 00:20:42.730 are using to make your critical breeding decisions. 00:20:43.130 --> 00:20:46.049 Yeah. This enhanced reliability empowers you 00:20:46.049 --> 00:20:48.130 to make more precise and effective selections, 00:20:48.490 --> 00:20:51.569 ultimately leading to faster and more predictable 00:20:51.569 --> 00:20:54.799 genetic progress within your dairy herd so there 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:58.869 you have it the April 2025 Global Holstein Evaluations, 00:20:59.109 --> 00:21:02.130 a fascinating snapshot of historic base changes 00:21:02.130 --> 00:21:04.450 in the U .S., the steady and balanced progress 00:21:04.450 --> 00:21:07.309 in Canada, the revolutionary single -step methodology 00:21:07.309 --> 00:21:09.990 in Germany, and the strong sustainability focus 00:21:09.990 --> 00:21:12.849 in Switzerland, all interwoven with the undeniable 00:21:12.849 --> 00:21:15.490 rise of pole genetics and the continued global 00:21:15.490 --> 00:21:18.170 pursuit of breeding balanced, healthy, and efficient 00:21:18.170 --> 00:21:21.549 dairy cows. The key takeaway for you, keep your 00:21:21.549 --> 00:21:23.670 breeding goals well -rounded, prioritize the 00:21:23.670 --> 00:21:28.920 health and longevity of your animals, This comprehensive 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:32.240 global overview really paints a clear and compelling 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.700 picture of where the field of dairy cattle genetics 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:37.799 is heading. As you carefully consider these significant 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:40.660 trends and the unique strengths highlighted within 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:42.500 each of these major international evaluation 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:45.599 systems, what specific strategic adjustments 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:48.480 might you consider implementing in your own breeding 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:51.259 program to best position your dairy herd for 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:54.279 sustained long -term success and enhanced profitability 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:57.619 in this continuously evolving landscape? That's 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:59.819 the crucial question for you to ponder. Some 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:01.960 truly significant food for thought to chew on 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:04.750 folks. We sincerely hope this deep dive into 00:22:04.750 --> 00:22:07.890 the latest global Holstein evaluations has provided 00:22:07.890 --> 00:22:10.109 you with a much clearer understanding of the 00:22:10.109 --> 00:22:11.869 key developments happening on the international 00:22:11.869 --> 00:22:14.950 genetics stage. Please keep your insightful questions 00:22:14.950 --> 00:22:17.210 coming our way and don't hesitate to let us know 00:22:17.210 --> 00:22:19.250 what other complex topics you'd like us to unpack 00:22:19.250 --> 00:22:21.690 for you in future deep dives. Until our next 00:22:21.690 --> 00:22:23.690 conversation, keep breeding those exceptional 00:22:23.690 --> 00:22:26.349 dairy cows. That's our deep dive into the April 00:22:26.349 --> 00:22:29.529 2025 evaluations. If you're hungry for more, 00:22:29.849 --> 00:22:32.049 Visit thebullvine .com for the full analysis 00:22:32.049 --> 00:22:35.710 and global sire rankings. Before you go, hit 00:22:35.710 --> 00:22:37.849 subscribe so you don't miss our next episode 00:22:37.849 --> 00:22:41.130 on managing inbreeding in the genomics era. Got 00:22:41.130 --> 00:22:43.849 questions? Slide into our DMs at The Bullvine. 00:22:43.990 --> 00:22:46.869 We might feature your query on air. Until next 00:22:46.869 --> 00:22:49.589 time, remember, in a world of shifting genetic 00:22:49.589 --> 00:22:53.329 bases, focus on relative progress, not just absolutes. 00:22:53.490 --> 00:22:56.109 Thanks for joining us. Signing off from the front 00:22:56.109 --> 00:22:57.250 lines of dairy genetics.