Holstein Innovation bears first fruit

The inaugural intake of the Holstein Innovation programme has produced its first young sire set to make an impact on the Holstein Friesian breed in New Zealand.

Kaahu Wimbledon Halo, bred by Mark and Suzy Riddington (Black & White 2010 Ltd), is out of Paragon Portion Honey-ET GP84, purchased by the Riddingtons at the Canterbury Collection Sale.

Holstein Innovation Chair Doug Courtman says Halo’s dam hails from a world-renowned cow family, developed in New Zealand by Rikus Scheepers.

“Paragon Portion Honey-ET GP84 is a granddaughter of AOT Modesty Hoss-ET, who was herself a granddaughter of Cookiecutter Mom Halo-ET,” he says.

“This family is celebrated as one of the most prepotent worldwide. Popular sires such as Mr Ernestanthony Havenofear and Duckett Pfct Has It All-ET are just two examples from this line making their mark in New Zealand.”

Progenesis Wimbledon, Pine-Tree H Portion-ET and Coastal-View Mookie-ET, Halo is well placed to suit a range of New Zealand breeding programmes.

Holstein Innovation is a joint sire proving scheme between HFNZ and LIC, designed to select and prove Holstein Friesian bulls for New Zealand dairy farmers. Genomic screening identifies elite young bulls for artificial breeding, while giving LIC access to diverse cow families within Holstein Friesian NZ member herds.

Unlike the Discovery Project – another HFNZ/LIC initiative that requires high-BW heifer calves – Holstein Innovation places greater emphasis on diversity. While nominated bulls must still meet suitable genetic merit (BW), some flexibility is allowed.

Bull calves should be nominated at birth. HFNZ and LIC will jointly decide which are genomically screened and, if successful, purchased. Up to five young bulls may enter LIC’s Sire Proving Scheme (SPS) each year.

Selected bulls can be marketed from one-year-old through to daughter-proven status, both domestically and internationally. Holstein Friesian NZ will also have the ability to sell semen to members in the bull’s first year of production.

The programme also includes a female component, with up to 200 nominated heifers genomically screened annually. Nominated females can be mated to LIC’s elite young sires or daughter-proven sires at no cost, with resulting progeny genomically screened.

Doug says Holstein Innovation creates opportunities for bulls outside traditional marketing channels.

“It’s a chance for breeders to put forward bulls that might otherwise have been overlooked,” he says. “With LIC seeking alternative bloodlines, the genetic strength of the Holstein Friesian breed will only grow.

“The elite young sires selected will bring both diversity and faster genetic gain on farm.”