A range of dairy bulls are offering producers the chance to make rapid genetic progress whilst improving their bottom line.

Published this week  by DairyCo Breeding, the Holstein bull proofs see a former number one bull with outstanding health and fitness traits returns to his breed-leading position. Guarini, a Goldwyn son, jumps three extra points for Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) moving him up from number two position to the top spot as his traits for transmitting exceptionally low daughter cell counts alongside good production and type leaves him with an exceptional PLI of £262.

Following closely behind him is another correct bull, Cogent Twist which stands in second position with a PLI of £256 just slightly ahead of Ballycairn Oman Pello in third, with a PLI £252. Both bulls exceed 40kg fat in their Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) with Twist, son of high ranking bull Shottle, having higher components and Pello with a larger volume of milk and a plus on protein of 34kg.

Former number one sire, Whitman Oman Awesome Andy is pushed to fourth position (PLI £248) but is the highest daughter lifespan improver in the top 10 and also strong on his daughter Fertility Index, scoring +0.6 and +6.8 respectively.

Another strong fertility improver with a Fertility Index of +6.3 is Morningview Levi who stands in joint fourth position. He is closely followed by Crockett-Acres Eight who, according to DairyCo, 'has put in a remarkable performance for daughter fertility’, making re-entry to the top 10 with a PLI of £243, thanks to an influx of UK daughters that have lifted his Fertility Index to +12.0.

Marco Winters, head of DairyCo Breeding+ says the combination of stability in the rankings and a good showing of UK-proven bulls is particularly encouraging and – with such a wide choice of sires, especially those strong on health and fitness traits – he urges breeders to look in detail at their figures.

"It’s not just about the headline PTAs, but it’s important that UK producers know the source of the information they’re using," he says. "It’s for this reason that we have introduced an advertising code this month which has been signed by all the major AI companies, and which we hope will ensure breeders receive the most appropriate and meaningful information."

"With more sires than ever in the system – some with genomic and others with daughter-proven figures – this new code should ensure breeders are aware of exactly the type of dairy sire they are considering."

There are plenty of young sires coming through too, with De-Su RB Moonray, sired by Roylane Socra Robust, proving to be an outstanding fat transmitter with a PTA fat of 44.5kg. It has a PLI of £279, 19 points ahead of earlier predictions.

A monumental rise comes from Welcome Armitage Pesky who has risen from twelfth into second position, with a PLI standing at £274. Pesky also has the highest daughter Fertility Index in the top 10 at +7.1.

While the Holstein breed is making good genetic progress, other dairy breeds are paving their way in the industry too.

Taking the top spot in the Jersey breed is a DJ Lirsk son, VJ Lure, a bull which possesses good figures for fat and protein and with a PLI of £218. It transmits nearly 50kg of fat plus protein and is predicted to lower daughter cell counts and improve their fertility. The rise of Lure has caused a joint second place in the Jersey breed with DJ Broiler and DJ Hulk both having a PLI of £215.

In the Friesian category, Deangate Tarquin maintains his lead with a PLI of £200 although his daughter lifespan figures have further improved to level at+0.5. He remains a strong player with his competition, Morcourt Hilton who is in second place, continuing to have a PLI of £175.

Finnish breeding continues to lead the way in the Ayrshire list with a Miqur son, V Foske, taking the number one position with a PLI of £204, ahead of his Kelli-sired stablemate, Gunnarstorp, in second (PLI £191). A Miqur grandson, Asmo Andrei, ranks third.

The Brown Swiss, Shorthorn and Montbeliarde categories remain unchanged with Huray (PLI £236) holding up in first position on the Brown Swiss list while Odislait (PLI £168) remains in top spot for the Monbeliarde’s. Cotley Custodian takes the lead for the Shorthorns with a PLI of £168.