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ALL BREEDS DAIRY MAGAZINE  
  
           

 
  
 
 

Genetic Giants Prove their Numbers are Built to Last

August 21, 2010

For Alta the August 2010 sire summary brought exciting new releases, proven sires living up to their genomic promises and numerous second crop successes. Unparalleled sire fertility results are easily attributed to ConceptPlus evaluations and Alta’s enduring commitment provide producers with the tools necessary to get cows pregnant.

AltaRUSH 11HO9939 (Shottle x Jesther) 1895 TPI / ConceptPlus
This Future Star graduate and outcross Shottle son combines high fertility (ConceptPlus rated), type (PTAT 2.23) and production (+774 lbs PTAM) to make him the most complete package new release sire this proof round.

Alta Advantage® Consultants cannot sing enough praise to the immaculate udders (2.34 UDC) AltaRUSH daughters possess. Rear udder attachments are exceptionally eye catching and exhibit extreme width and height. Udder depth is shallow, fore udders blend smoothly into the body wall and clefts are strong.

AltaRUSH daughters are tall, open-bodied, flat-boned cows displaying ample strength throughout. Rumps are particularly attractive and display the width, flatness and slope commonly sought after. Easily admired feet and legs characteristics include desirable depth of heel, strength of pastern and set to the hock.

AltaRUSH’s great longevity figures (+4.1 PL) combined with the strength and ruggedness the Advantage Consultants report, are proof that this bull will work well in any environment.

High Producing Cows for Those Looking for a Kick on Production

Three heavy hitting production bulls released this evaluation include AltaMOGUL, AltaOLIN and AltaMATARO. AltaMOGUL 11HO9816 (Oman x BW Marshall) stems from a family known for its extreme production. The bull boasts an incredible PTAM of +2052 lbs and CFP of > +110. A high $NM (+407) and calving ease sire, AltaMOGUL is not only the kind that will get the job done, but do it well.

AltaOLIN 11HO9578 (Titanic x Addison) brings a PTAT of +1.37 to the table along with notable production numbers (+1300 lbs PTAM). Daughters of AltaOLIN will be of average size and possess great udder quality, rear attachments and long silky necks.

AltaMATARO 11HO9785 (Oman x BW Marshall) is an Advantage® Program graduate and a ‘no holes’ kind of bull. High production (+1185 lbs) and components (+37 PTAP, +50 PTAF), fertility (ConceptPlus ranked) and extreme calving ease (5%) will make this a sire of choice for progressive dairymen.

Looking for outcross sires that don’t sacrifice numbers? Look no further than AltaSOCAL and AltaMOB. AltaSOCAL 11HO9588 (Sosa x Allen) is a fertility specialist with a ConceptPlus ranking. AltaSOCAL’s proof also offers an impressive +1626 lbs PTAM, +70 lbs PTAF and +1.44 PTAT.

AltaMOB 11HO9809 (Manager x Lynch) is an impressive Cheese Merit (+$487) outcross sire with excellent component values (+.04% Pro, +.16% Fat), ConceptPlus designation and a linear type profile with the perfect combination of dairyness and strength.

Canadian Superstars

AltaDAZZLER 11HO9474 (Titanic x BW Marshall) / 1663 LPI
AltaDAZZLER remained at the top of his game this proof round and is once again Alta’s #1 type bull. He continues his reign as the king of feet and legs, for a second time securing the position as the #1 bull for this trait on the top 100 LPI list at +18 (FL).

Overall conformation score for this sire is now an impressive +17 (tied for 4th on top 100 LPI list) and his GLPI rose to 1663. Among producers looking for an exceptional type profile, the buzz about this bull has not died down since April and we expect will only increase from this proof round onward.

AltaCHESTER 11HO9846 (Goldwyn x Rubens) / 1775 LPI
Canadian new release sire, AltaCHESTER, offers a balanced proof for production (+1277 kgs), health (above average for calving traits, herd life, SCC) and type (Conf +9). Average sized daughters display tremendous udder quality and cleft strength. Feet and legs are attractive on the move and foot angle and heel depth are desirable.

Proven Sires Living up to Their Genomic Promises

AltaIOTA 11HO9647 (Oman x Ito) 2135 TPI / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker
August brought good things for AltaIOTA’s crowd of admirers. His TPI rose significantly since April to a value of 2135, and he is now the #4 sire in this regard. AltaIOTA improved nicely for both PTAT and UDC while adding over 60 daughters to his type proof. He is now the highest UDC bull in the top 5 TPI at 2.01. AltaIOTA’s production numbers remained consistent at 815 PTAM, 66 PTAF and 42 PTAP.

AltaROSS 11HO9703 (Oman x AltaBOSS) 2103 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker
AltaROSS never fails to prove his ability to transmit. His daughters continue to not only deliver, but improve, on all counts. This proof round AltaROSS’ numbers for $NM (+610), Health Index (+3.75), PTAT (+1.54), UDC (+1.63), FLC (+1.70) and PL (+5.3) all increased since April. A well known, respected and widely used bull, AltaROSS claims the #5 spot on the top 100 TPI list with a TPI of 2103.

Second Crop Success

AltaBAXTER 11HO8195 (Blitz x Mtoto) 1817 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus

AltaBAXTER is adding daughters quickly in countries around the world, which proves his widespread appeal even 3+ years ago. He now boasts over 5500 daughters worldwide and they are certainly living up to expectations. The bull never ceased to amaze with a PTAM of +1675, a ConceptPlus rating and a PTAT of +1.83. AltaBAXTER remains a fan favorite bull and since his release and has been consistent in his deliverance of a total package deal.

Alta’s second crop bulls are time and again producing daughters that meet or exceed first crop evaluations. Take the four bulls presented in the table below, for example, and notice the change in TPI from their first crop proof in August of 2007, to their latest proof in August of 2010.

These numbers speak volumes to the success of the Advantage® progeny testing program and the subsequent proof stability of its graduates.


Genomic Sires Add Power
For those wanting to make a leap in genetic progress, Alta’s genomic sire programs will help you make the jump. The G-Star program includes Alta’s highest ranking sires for genetic potential and it comes with a lot of choice, including from 13 new sires added to the program this proof run. Proven fertility and calving ease combined with high genetic potential is available from Alta’s FutureStar program. This August Alta has added 7 new FutureStar sires to the line-up. Combined, the G-Star and FutureStar programs include 18 sires over 2100 TPI, highlighting the progress possible.

Alta’s ConceptPlus Evaluation is Better than Ever

Data integrity and accuracy are the most important features of a precise and consistent fertility evaluation. ConceptPlus evaluations possess exactly these two attributes, and for this reason, they remain the most accurate and precise system to estimate sire fertility available. Recent challenges with the consistency of other sire fertility evaluations confirm that Alta gets the ‘concept’ of conception!

Regardless of the program, bull, or genetic plan you’re looking for, you can count on Alta for all your genetic and reproductive needs.

 
 
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Gold Star Rush 1941
Gold Star Farms; New Holstein, WI

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Birdholm Chester Betsy
Birdholm Holsteins; Rockwood, ON
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Overside Baxter Amanda & C Amanda
Hugh Neilson; Lanarkshire, Scotland