| 2016-09-28 |    |
New Genomic-Proven Friesians
Cogent are delighted to welcome the Friesian breed to the genomic era with the launch of their new dedicated stud book. UK Genomic evaluations of young sires have been available for Holsteins since 2012; with the August evaluation run we now see them now available for the Friesian Breed too.
“Genomic evaluations will provide our customers with more data on the transmitting ability of our friesian young sires than the traditional parental average.” Comments Richard Bostock Cogent’s Dairy Sire Specialist “Farmers can now see a full type linear that shows how a bull is expected to breed along with increased reliability of production data. Genomic evaluations in the Friesian breed have a reliability in excess of 55% compared to the traditional reliabilities of between 30-40% This gives Cogent greater confidence in the quality of the bulls we are offering to UK farmers” concludes Richard.
Number One Genomic Friesian bull: Goonhilly Joseph
The August release has resulted in upcoming Cogent superstar; Goonhilly Joseph taking to the top of the charts with a PLI of £349. Joseph comes from a fantastic cow family at James Tripconney's Goonhilly herd in Cornwall. His dam is an EX92 Hylke daughter full of Friesian character and with a natural desire to milk. But it is Goonhilly Hyl Yasmin’s commercial viability that puts her ahead of the rest. She is extremely fertile and has a low calving interval, with between her first and fourth calves she actually gained 31 days
In the Type rankings, we see Ainteee Patrick take pole position with a Friesian Type Merit of +1.81. We expect this Blackisle Garve - half brother to Skyhigh Patrol, to please a lot of commercial dairymen. He is expected to transmit great mammary systems to his moderate sized heifers with open ribs. Patricks dam is well known for topping trade at the 2013 Skyhigh dispersal sale. Since then she has gone on to produce records in excess of 13,000kgs at over 5% Fat and over 3.5% Protein.
On the proven front, Cogent are proud to see the most complete available British Friesian sire; Kirkby Premier rise to number four available proven PLI sire. Being higher in Fertility and type merit than any other of the top 5 sires currently available in the UK.
“Premier has been a strong favourite with our customers since his graduation 12 months ago. The availability of sexed semen only adds to the attraction of this reliable proven bull, we have had a huge amount of farmers re-order him on the successful performance of their Premier heifers. We were unlucky not to have genomic evaluations before now to fully appreciate the calibre of Kirkby Premier” comments Mike Phillips, Cogent’s UK Sales Manager.
The new look Friesian stud book is an example of the commitment cogent are making to the British Friesian and will be landing on doorsteps soon. It contains our leading range of proven, genomic-proven and young sires. For further information visit the Cogent Breeding website or speak to your local breeding advisor.
