LEG Spring 2023 Newsletter

MUSCLE WEAKNESS SYNDROME

In 2022 a recessive condition in the Holstein breed was identified and termed recumbency. It was deemed to affect the ability of calves to stand. This condition has now been renamed Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome (MW). While the prevalence of this condition is somewhat unknown it is likely to be evident in many breeding programs. Prominent sires in pedigrees that are carriers include Roylane Socra Robust and his son Seagull-Bay Supersire.

Calves that carry the MW recessive gene often have a short life span. However, there is reported cases whereby the resulting animal has lived a normal life. To slow down the incidence of this condition bull companies around the world have tested their sire line-up. Those that test positive have been removed from their list. There is still much research to do on the MW gene, including understanding the reasons behind why some cattle that test positive for this recessive homozygous gene, are seemingly unaffected in what is generally considered a lethal condition.

The onset of warmer weather brings with it Spring joining season. August proof summaries for many farmers, is their primary information source when selecting their bull team. Domestically, some Summer/Autumn calving heifers will be included in this proof run. ABS continued their dominance in the domestics Holsteins with a new number 1 sire in Huron. Whilst the two White Star Jersey sires from Genetics Australia in Douggan and Dobson maintain their #1 and #2 positions in the local market.

Brad Aitken Manager/Owner Leading Edge Genetics

Top 10 BPI Australian Proven Holsteins August 2023

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

- August Domestic and International Proof Summaries

- 2023 Leading Edge Genetics On-Farm Judge Announced

- Photo Gallery, Daughters in the field

Australian Proof Results

The August proof run unveiled a new #1 BPI Proven Holstein in Huron from ABS. This high production outcross sire is 536 on BPI based on 120 recorded daughters. There were several notable sires that debuted including NaCash (Agri-Gene) at 426 BPI and 104 Type/105 Mammary. Whilst on the genomic listing there is an equal tie for the #1 position with Sondalo (GAC) and Powerhouse (Semex) both at 587 BPI. Both sires have early daughters milking, but not yet at the required publishable levels to make the proven listing.

Genomic Holsteins August 2023

Whilst his daughter numbers are small, a sire that continues to grab market traction is BGP Yolo (Jetstream). His impressive daughters in Australia plus his strong International proven profiles have meant that he has been a popular choice. The daughters exhibit outstanding udder texture with desirable leg set and are mediocre on stature.

Top 10 BPI Australian Proven Jerseys August 2023

Australian Proof Results

There are many partly proven Jersey sires that require greater levels of publishable data to feature highly in the proven listing. These include Ardent, Bazyu, Tripp and Starlord to name a few. Equally exciting is the next wave of diverse pedigreed young sires coming through the system. These include Pickem (419 BPI Pickle/Invincible), Boyd–P (364 BPI Bedford-P/David), Irymple (332 BPI Roulette/Valentino) and Ventura-P (312 BPI Izuku/Tahbilk).

Top 10 BPI Genomic Jerseys August 2023

A new addition to the Top 10 proven listing is Ahlem Whistler from Semex. This high semen fertility sire (+1.9 SCR) represents a real outcross pedigree being a Jive son from a Pharoah. Whistler daughters are long bodied with tremendous udders and with teat length being a real feature.

Source - DataGene

*Have milking daughters but not at a publishable level

POSITIVE COMPONENTS FOR

The St. Jacobs’ Linear Choice program was created to offer farmers and breeders the opportunity to use sires with solid production and health traits while not sacrificing the type traits that contribute to long lasting functional cows. We are proud to offer Siemers ROZ, the Delta Lambda son from an excellent Renegade dam, who epitomises this philosophy.

ROZ combines over 900 lbs of milk with positive components and a +0.8 DPR. At 2.53 PTAT and 2.53 UDC, ROZ’s proof indicates his daughters won’t be overly tall but will have tremendous depth and openness of rib. Udders will be well attached with high, wide rear udders being a feature. ROZ is also +13 for Conformation in Canada which puts him amongst the best in the breed. ROZ can be used with confidence to sire the modern dairy farmer’s cow - super impressive cows that

ABS is proud of the proven lineup of bulls available to the Australian industry this August with 6 of the top 8 marketed by ABS. Pine-Tree HURON is the number one proven sire with elite production and outstanding udders, and stems from the View-Home Uno Hope brood cow.

Boyd – P dam

TOP RANKING AUSTRALIAN FEMALES

AUSTRALIAN BPI - HOLSTEIN

Roger Turner, Our 2023

On-Farm Competition Judge

Leading Edge Genetics is delighted to announce Roger Turner as our judge for the 2023 On-Farm Competition. Judging will take place from Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th of November. Presentation Luncheon will be Friday 1st of December at the Drouin Golf Club.

AUSTRALIAN BPI - JERSEY

Roger’s judging career has included assignments to more than 22 countries, and over 20 US states and numerous Canadian provinces. Roger has judged at The Royal Winter Fair in Canada, Swiss Expo in Lausanne, Switzerland, European Holstein Show in Verona, Italy, International Dairy Week in Australia, UK Dairy Expo Carisle, England as well as four occasions at World Dairy Expo, Madison, WI. Additionally, he has served as a member of both the All-American & All-Canadian selection committees for various breeds and has officiated at numerous US National Shows. Roger in the past has held positions on the Holstein Canada Type & Classification Advisory Board and Past President of the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association. Roger was recently awarded a 20 year service award from NAAB for outstanding service and commitment to the improvement of the livestock industry.

A proud supporter of youth programs, Roger is also a volunteer at the USA Intercollegaite Judging Competition at WDE as well as a Canadian Classic volunteer at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. Roger finds his spare time to be occupied as a First Responder & Fire Fighter with the Sun Prairie Fire Department. Roger lives in Sun Prairie, WI, USA.

AUGUST PROOF HIGHLIGHTS FROM JETSTREAM GENETICS AUSTRALIA

With the launch of Jetstream Genetics (JSG) Australia into the market place this Spring we are incredibly excited with excellent results from the August proof run.

The internationally renowned BGP YOLO (Bandaras x Meridian x Robust) continues to command high demand, solidifying his position as one of the most finely balanced proven bulls in the industry. With an impressive record of over 800 daughters in his US daughter proof, YOLO consistently imparts his superior breeding prowess to meet the needs of today’s dairymen.

Notably, YOLO has now extended his influence to milking daughters within the Australian proof, ascending to the remarkable rank of #9 GBPI bull in the industry with an extraordinary +552 score. His favourability among farmers remains steadfast, boasting impressive attributes such as +105 for Milking Speed, +105 for Likability and +103 for Calving Ease, all accompanied by outstanding type traits, including +98 Stature and a remarkable +110 for Conformation and Mammary scores. During a recent inspection of milking YOLOs here in Australia, one feature that stood out was the remarkable width across their rumps (+109), seamlessly transitioning to their exceptional rear udders.

Other notable highlights feature the milk sensation MAINSTAGE, contributing +2402 lbs of Milk and a staggering +77 lbs of Protein. For more comprehensive information, we invite you to connect with us on Facebook at Jetstream Genetics Australia.

Roger Turner

Top

TPI Proven Holsteins August 2023

USA Proof Results

The proven results for the August proof summary showed a good level of stability. There were only 2 new additions to the Top 10 listings. Holdon (ST) and Zasberilla (Semex) are now 5th and 7th respectively on the list.

The highly regarded outcross sire in S-S-I PR Renegade continues to positively impact the Holstein breed. He currently has seven highly regarded sons feature in the Top 100 proven listing including household names in Parfect, Conway and Taos. There are many grandsons who also are performing strongly. Renegade descendants have that added constitution that best suits the rigours of Australian conditions.

On July 1 Genetics Australia launched a new entity, Genetics Australia Holdings Pty Ltd. Farmers won’t notice any major differences in the shortterm as GA will continue to trade as Genetics Australia and offer the same localised, specialist services and products delivered by the same team. However, the new joint venture with global herd improvement leader URUS Group will open more doors and future sire directories will offer even more opportunities for Australian farmers.

The August ABV editions of the Sire Directories are full of high-quality sires to support any breeding goal, complete with breeding values from Australian and International data sources.

The availability of homozygous Polled sires has never been stronger with greater emphasis being placed on delivering more sustainable breeding outcomes. So, if it is polled genetics that you are seeking the GA portfolio has a wide and varied selection of homozygous Polled sires. These include GONE-PP who is a much-desired outcross sire that delivers on both Australian and International breeding values, with +2665 TPI and +2.34 PTAT. The newest sire to the Polled team is VITTORIA-PP, another Carenda bull, a CFP son that offers PP, A22, $436 BPI with 109 for Daughter Fertility and he is RED.

For Polled Jersey, look no further then STARK-PP. $321 BPI, 198 ASI, 628 Milk, 110 Mammary combined with tremendous strength and capacity traits, he is available now in both Conventional and Sexed semen.

Genetics Australia is committed to the sustainability of livestock agriculture through the provision of trusted genetics, products, and services.

Taos Daughter

0200HO12601 Matcrest Garfield (Bosa x Renegade x Blowtorch) is an exciting new addition to our line up following August proofs at +3063 GTPI. Providing high production, +1347 Milk lbs, +105 Fat lbs, +0.18 Fat %, +57 Protein % with excellent health traits, +0.9 DPR, low 2.81 SCS and +4.7 PL. At +1.92 UDC, with impressive scores of +2.29 Fore Attachment, +2.46 Rear Udder Height, +2.29 Rear Udder Width, +1.25 Udder Cleft and +0.21 Teat Length (Long), Garfield daughters will produce large volumes of milk from well attached mammary systems. Offering breeders an outcross pedigree, high production and health traits and +1.75 PTAT with an attractive linear, Garfield will suit many breeders mating programs this spring.

Popular internationally proven sire 0200JE01140 Ahlem Whistler is now proven in Australia at +298 BPI with 152 daughters milking in 25 herds. A high milk flow sire, +871 Milk kg with +27 Fat kg and +20 Protein kg, Whistler daughters are performing well in Australian conditions. An impressive +108 Overall Type and +111 Mammary System featuring +110 Fore Attachment, +109 Rear Udder Height, +108 Centre Ligament and +107 Teat Length with excellent workabilities, +103 Milking Speed, +106 Temperament and +107 Likability. Whistler is an A2A2 and Fertility First sire at +1.9 Sire Conception Rate.

For additional information on Semex sires please visit: www.semex.com.au

CHESTER

STGENETICS HIGHLIGHTS

CHESTER

This jet-black son of Renegade, has a lot to offer. Bred from a young Aurora Mitchell who has recently scored VG86 this bull is an exciting new addition to the Leading Edge Genetics line up. CHESTER is the complete all-rounder offering huge production, positive DPR and importantly, he lowers pin setting and adds teat length.

DO IT NOW

This bull is the complete package, a top type sire that improves fitness and production whilst being suitable for use in maiden heifers. DO IT NOW is 1 of only 3 bulls in the world that offers >2.5 PTAT with >0.8 DPR, >1.3 Mastitis Index and >5 PL. Its time to use the #1 GTPI KING DOC son in the world!!

MATING PROGRAM

Leading Edge Genetics offers a free on-farm herd evaluation service.

Do you want to avoid any recessive gene or inbreeding issues?

Our independent program includes a phenotype analysis of your herd, mating them to a cross section of the industries best bulls.

*Conditions apply

Top 10 LPI Proven Holstein Sires August 2023

Top 10 LPI Genomic Holstein Sires August 2023

PROOF HIGHLIGHTS FROM AGRI-GENE

The latest August ABV release saw 3 Australian standing bulls head up the BPI rankings from Agri-gene’s current Holstein line-up.

Leading the way is BOLTI-P, who is the only Australian A2A2 polled bull over +500 for BPI. BOLTI-P offers outcross genetics with a good blend of type and production with very good health traits, he is proving to be a bomb-proof heifer bull with his calving ease figure moving to +105 in the August release as more calving records have been added to his data.

From the USA, 2 Parfect Sons top the TPI rankings in the Agri-Gene line-up with DYNASTY and PERFECTO. DYNASTY continues to go from strength to strength; backed by 12 generations of VG & EX cows from the Kings Ransom ‘R’ family, he is over 3000+ TPI and almost +3 PTAT with an ideal package of production and fertility with a huge +144 lbs CFP, +0.8 DPR and an impressive semen fertility SCR of +1.9.

PERFECTO is the third of our Parfect sons who head up the TPI rankings, he was introduced in the Spring of last year with 2 other impressive USA sires MAESTRO and ENDEAVOR. ENDEAVOR is our leading Net Merit sire at +1004 while MAESTRO has been one of our best- selling semen sires this year. Both bulls represent excellent value for Sexed heifer programs as they are both under +2 for calving ease and are Agri-Gene’s two highest semen fertility bulls with SCR scores of +3.1 and +2.6.

For those chasing Polled genetics, we are excited to introduce two new Homo-Polled bulls for Spring 2023. LOGIC-PP is an A2P2 son from a Delta-Lambda daughter who is backed by 13 generations of VG & EX cows. He is high on both TPI +2884 and BPI +449 indexes and over +2 for type and udders.

LYRIC-PP is an A2A2 REMOVER son from Stantons who is a good production sire with a standout type linear profile that is over +3 for both fore & rear udders as well as udder cleft and will also lengthen

Top 10 Proven LPI Jerseys Sires August 2023

GENETIC GAINS REFLECTED IN CHANGES TO GOOD BULLS CRITERIA

AUSTRALIA’S offering of good dairy bulls is now even better. And this improvement in the way DataGene classifies bulls is set to ensure long-term genetic development for the local dairy industry. DataGene, the independent and industry owned organisation responsible for driving genetic gain and herd improvement in the Australian dairy industry, has updated the criteria for Holstein bulls to attain Good Bulls status.

From this month, if a Holstein bull features in the Good Bulls Guide farmers and breeders can guarantee that it is more than the breed average for the Balanced Performance Index (BPI). In 2022, 76 per cent of recorded calves were sired by a bull from the 2021 Good Bulls Guide. DataGene Stakeholder Relations Specialist Peter Thurn said the August 2023 ABV release included 800 Holstein Good Bulls and a total of 1100 across all dairy breeds.

“With this update, the bottom-end of the criteria has lifted, and this has improved the average quality of the bulls that are labelled Good Bulls,” he said. The improvement in the Good Bulls baseline reflects the genetic progress made throughout the Australian dairy industry thanks to herd improvement tools such as genomics. For example, the average BPI of Australian Holstein cows has risen by about 233 per cent from 2011 to 2022. “Australian dairy has made some phenomenal progress with its genetic base, we have some great locally bred bulls as well as access to the best bulls from across the globe,” Mr Thurn said.

For more information contact: DataGene 1800 841 848 or abv@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.au.

DataGene is an initiative of Dairy Australia and the herd improvement industry.

Improvement: Australian average Holstein genetic progress.

Top 10 LPI Genomic Jerseys Sires August 2023

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT TLG

The August proof run marks a new beginning for TLG. We are pleased to present a sire directory that has a balance of new Genomic sires as well as sires well on the path to being daughter proven.

High BPI and TPI sire TLGRizboy has maintained his standing at the pointy end of the of genomic sires available in Australia, sitting at #3. With a great balance of type traits, and daughter fertility of 118 this Manhatten son from Emu Banks Holsteins makes it difficult to ignore him. He is currently available in conventional semen.

Last years popular Fresh sexed sire TLGCartel is another example of TLG’s commitment to breeding functional and correct sires. TLGCartel continues to be Australia’s #1 standing genomic type sire. His 110 for overall type and 105 for mammary combined with a moderate stature of 99 presents farmers with great promise when using TLGCartel.

Another great example of TLGs commitment to the Australian Dairy industry is in the release of 3 new Homozygous polled bulls this year. TLGMDouglas, TLGLionize and TLGBeacon give farmers an opportunity to breed polled daughters from some of the best polled families in Australia. TLGMDouglas PP with his balanced type and strength, TLGLionize PP with an impressive linear and TLGBeacon PP with extreme fertility at +2.6 offer a great cross section of attributes within this polled genetics offering.

For those that are looking for some higher reliability sires, look no further than TLGBrinx-P and TLGBouyancy-P. Both are bulls that are well on the way to full daughter proofs and with BPI numbers above 400 will give farmers confidence that only daughter proven sires can give.

With the recent joint venture between TLGs parent company Genetics Australia and world dairy geneticspowerhouse URUS, the opportunity to access high quality genetics from the Genex linuep is an opportunity not to be missed. TLGPocalypse is a new edition that delivers 3068 GTPI and near perfect linear offers farmers tomorrows genetics today, he will be available in conventional semen. Another new appearance in the TLG lineup is the Jersey bull from the famous Iris family at Loxleigh Jersey’s, TLGIrymple. With 110 for type and 109 for Mammary, Irymple combines fertility

PROOF HIGHLIGHTS FROM WWS

PARFECT (RENEGADE X DELTA LAMBDA) claimed the #3 spot on the Proven TPI list. 1005 lb milk, 95lb fat @0.19%, 4.6 PL, 0.6 DPR, Low SCS 2.89 and siring more strength than stature, while adding teat length. KNOWLESS (PARFECT X DELTA LAMBDA) is linebred DELTA LAMBDA! This exiting pedigree will bring 2.74 Type, 2.53 UDC, 1236lb Milk, positive components, Low SCS, and 4.1 Productive life!

CONWAY (RENEGADE X DRACO) now at #17 on the Proven TPI list has made a name for himself siring medium sized, strong cows, with super high components (101 lb Fat @ 0.29% and 49 lb Prot @0.12). PACE (CONWAY X ZASBERILLA X DELTA LAMBDA) is a RENEGADE grandson from the same family that produced PARFECT! This super high index pedigree will leave you with 3154 TPI, 1012 NM$, 735lb Milk, 119lb fat @0.32%, 2.39 Type, 2.28 UDC and +0.3 DPR. The complete package!

TAOS (RENEGADE X JEDI) moved into #20 on the Proven TPI list. Now with over 300 daughters in his production proof, TAOS had gains in almost all production traits! 1293 lb Milk, 5.8 PL, 2.78 SCS, 2.4 DPR and BCS 107! HAYK (TAOS X TAHITI) is from the world renown MOM Halo Cow family. HAYK converts well into the Australian BPI system. 549 BPI, 186 Somatic cell score, 112 Mastitis res, 104 Overall Type, 104 Chest width and 100 Teat length.

SOME OF OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

- Calf Dehorning

- Freeze Branding

- Ln2 Delivery

- A.I Service

- Extensive Merchandise range and others...

Looking to replace or upgrade your AI tanks in 2023?

Talk to the LEG team about the tanks available for purchase.

SIRES LONG LASTING COWS

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Would you like to receive your newsletter via email?

Contact Brad to go on the mailing list.

STAY UP TO DATE

Keep up with the latest releases, results and industry news.

UPCOMINGEVENT

Tamscott Holsteins

170 Kitteley’s Rd, Poowong

Friday 15th December 2023

Food and drink provided by LEG

SESSION ONE

The event will begin at 5:30pm for youth to enhance their judging skills and increase their knowledge how to break down a cow. They will be mentored by renowned judges.

SESSION TWO

The event is open to the general public from 6:30pm. There will be a herd walk of Tamscott Holsteins and an In-Milk Judging Competition.

RSVP By 1st December

Brad: 0438 031 361 | Lily: 0418 843 087 | Holly: 0499 287 708

Jacobs Parfect Brink

Loughridge Family, Poowong - Spartacus, Summerday & Twitch

Conn Family, Hedley - Delta Lambda (ST)

Conn Family, Hedley - Konrad (Jetstream)

Conn Family, Hedley - Aristocrat (ST)

Winning Daughter Group - LEG 2022