51AVÊÓƵ

There is a new entrant at the top of the AHDB ranking for young sires demonstrating how health and welfare traits are being bred into Holsteins and contributing to improved daughter lifespans.

The new leading bull, Denovo 22750 Lorenzo by Leeds, is predicted to transmit good daughter fertility (Fertility Index 8.8), has a Lameness Advantage of 3.2, the highest in the top 20 and good udder health. It has daughter Lifespan Index,174 days longer than average, as well as a HealthyCow of £254, resulting in a Profitable Lifetime Index (PLI) of £874.

The next six positions also feature new entrants since the December release. Second-ranking Peak AltaRotation (PLI £867) has Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) for protein at +0.14% and 37.3kg.

Third-placed Peak AltaFanbase (PLI £854) is a fat specialist, transmitting 56.3kg (+0.24%) fat, combined with a maintenance score of -30. This delivers a Feed Advantage of 291, contributing to a breed‑leading EnviroCow of 4.8.

Fourth placed Peak AltaVaughn (PLI £853) is a full brother to AltaRotation and transmits strong solids (+0.30% fat and +0.15% protein) alongside a Fertility Index of 10.8.

In fifth place, Denovo 6856 Hotshot (PLI £846) offers high milk solids transmission, while Genosource Judo (PLI £845), ranked sixth, is amongst the highest milk yield transmitters at 1,239kg.

Another strong milk transmitter is seventh placed OCD Sheepster Mike (PLI £828) and both Judo and Mike have maintenance scores of -23.

Adaway Beyond Faithful, remains in the top 10, with the eighth highest PLI at £827 alongside the highest Type Merit (1.23) within the top 20.

New in ninth position is OCD Radical Josh Allen (PLI £824), combining high milk yield (1,123kg) with fat plus protein of 92.4kg.

Rounding off the top 10 is OCD Thorson Ripcord (PLI £822), another strong feed‑saver with a maintenance score of -31 and a Fertility Index of 7.2.

ÌýMarco Winters, head of animal genetics, AHDB says: "As the dairy sector looks to build greater resilience, these top‑performing genetics offer a permanent and cumulative route to improved efficiency. Selecting sires with high £PLI, strong health and productivity traits, and improved Feed Advantage supports the breeding of cows which cost less to feed, remain productive for longer and reduce carbon intensity."

READ NOW: Scottish dairy farm cuts labour costs by 75% with innovative new calf shed design

ÌýTop 10 Holstein genomic young sires for PLI

1 Denovo 22750 Lorenzo - £874
2 Peak AltaRotation - £867
3 Peak AltaFanbase - £854
4 Peak AltaVaughn - £853
5 Denovo 6856 Hotshot - £846
6 Genosource Judo - £845
7 OCD Sheepster Mike - £828
8 Adaway Beyond Faithful - £827
9 OCD Radical Josh Allen - £824
10 OCD Thorson Ripcord - £822

Top proven Holstein sires deliver high kilos of milk solids

In number one place on theÌýHolstein proven sire rankings isÌýPeak Powerhouse. Daughters of this high production bull help earn a Profitable Lifetime Index of £768, thanks to Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) which include 1,111kg milk and 98kg combined fat and protein.

In second place isÌýGenosource Captain, whose solid production profile, favourable maintenance feed score of -30 and strong TB Advantage of 3.5 result in a PLI of £726.

The last release's number one sire,ÌýOCD Trooper Sheepster, now ranks third with a PLI of £711,ÌýÌýahead ofÌýSDG‑PH Delux Dominance,Ìýin fourth (PLI £698). Both transmit high weights of fat (49.6kg and 50.5kg respectively).

The first new entrant in the top 10 isÌýDenovo 18514 Orchard, a son of Alladin. With a PLI of £677, Orchard confirms its genomic promise as a high milk sire (1,026kg).

In sixth place isÌýPlain‑Knoll Renegad TrooperÌý(PLI £675), notable for a strong Lifespan Index with 137 extra days predicted and a HealthyCow of £155.

Next isÌýWinstar Graziano, which excels in milk quality, transmitting +0.33% fat and +0.15% protein.

OCD Deluxe T RexÌýranks eighth (PLI £666), showing strong udder health and reducing mastitis
(-1), with calf survival (+3.1).

In ninth place,ÌýWinstar Maserati PÌýtakes a significant step up the rankings. With a PLI £665, Maserati transmits high fat (48.2kg, +0.38%) and a Fertility Index of 9.1.

Completing the top 10 isÌýCogent Koepon Rocky, a new entry for UK‑bred genetics. This Captain son, mirrors its sire's strengths in feed efficiency, including a maintenance score of -25 and a Feed Advantage of 189.

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics, AHDB, says: "It's to be expected that these older genetics lag a little behind the new generation of young sires, but these leading proven sires have demonstrated how they can deliver on production, many transmitting exceptional milk solids. Those producers who prefer to keep a complement of proven sires on their service list will see their effects in the bulk tank, although these older sires are generally unable to keep pace with the exceptional health and efficiency now being offered by the younger generation."

READ NOW: First Milk regenerative farming sees increase in soil carbon

ÌýTop 10 Holstein sires with a daughter proof

1 Peak Powerhouse – £768
2 Geosource Captain - £726
3 OCD Trooper Sheepster - £711
4 SDG-PH Delux Dominance - £698
5 Denovo 18514 Orchard - £677
6 Plain-Knoll Renegad Trooper - £675
7 Winstar Graziano - £669
8 OCD Deluxe T Rex - £666
9 Winstar Maserati P - £665
10 Cogent Koepon Rocky £662

Health and efficiency improve across dairy breeds

VJ Husted Splash Sultan leads the young genomic Jersey rankings transmitting 100 days more lifespan to its daughters than breed average, along with a Fertility Index of 7.4 and HealthyCow of £135, earning it a Profitable Life Index (PLI) of £437.

Moving up to second is VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan (PLI £418), which has excellent environmental efficiency (EnviroCow 2.5), supported by strong lifespan (91) and -23 SCC.

Former front-runner, VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander (PLI £406), is in third place but achieves the highest EnviroCow in the group (2.6). Ìý

Proven Jerseys

Topping the proven list of Jersey sires is new entrant, VJ Drostrupgaard Jojo Jabra (PLI £446) with breed-leading scores for udder health (-28 SCC and -2 mastitis).

Second is VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (PLI £441) which has the best EnviroCow score in the breed (2.8), strong lifespan (106), and excellent component performance totalling 39.7kg fat plus protein (+0.28% fat and +0.18% protein).

Rising to third is VJ Ravninggaard Huus Hamlet (PLI £419) which has Ìýa HealthyCow of £205, a Lifespan Index of 94 and daughter fertility (15.9).

Proven Ayrshires

Holding on to the top spot for the third consecutive run is VR Wehmais Vimo Vehmaa (PLI £563), which leads the list for component percentages (+0.34% fat, +0.18% protein). Ìý

In second is VR Hakvin (PLI £557) which delivers excellent environmental efficiency (EnviroCow 3.2) alongside impressive production (535kg milk, 60.6kg fat plus protein).

Dropping to third is Tontine Astorwell (PLI £504) which leads the breed for both milk (882kg) and protein (29kg).

Proven Friesians

Retaining the number one position across Friesian sires is Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud (PLI £312) which offers 23.8kg fat plus protein, supported by udder health (-13 SCC) and strong daughter fertility (7).

New in second place is Goonhilly Cornelly (PLI £281) which has an EnviroCow of 1.8 complemented with respectable production, particularly for protein at 12.6kg and +0.09%.

Moving up to third is Dalino (PLI £272) which has outstanding udder health (-14 SCC) and strong daughter fertility (6.9). Ìý

Genomic Friesians

Among genomic young sires, the top three ranked on £PLI also share the list's top EnviroCow score of 1.7.

Goonhilly Coverack (PLI £323) remains first with excellent components (+0.14% fat, +0.11% protein) and strong daughter fertility (3.4).

Newcomer, Bankhouse Edward (PLI £314) is second delivering solid production (325kg milk, 29.1kg fat plus protein).

Rising to third is Whinnow Ambition (PLI £305), combining impressive yield (423kg milk) with excellent health traits, including a HealthyCow of £149 and Lifespan Index of 92 extra days.

Top five bulls for non-Holstein breeds

Jersey (genomic)

1 VJ Husted Splash Sultan - £437
2 VJ Adelgaard Splash Swan - £418
3 VJ Outrup Luxplus Leander - £406
4 VJ Gammelager Luxplus Monse - £399
5 ABS AVJ Juiced - £398

Ayrshire (proven)

1 VR Wehmais Vimo Vehmaa - £563
2 VR Hakvin - £557
3 Tontine Astorwell - £504
4 VR Venom - £503
5 VR Solvarp Hjuve Hosea - £425

Friesian (proven)

1 Bloemplaat Hoeve Ewoud - £312
2 Goonhilly Cornelly - £281
3 Dalino - £272
4 Goonhilly Isaac - £267
= 5 Inch Jake - £261
= 5 Inch Next - £261

ÌýTop £SCI bulls show production efficiency

The April release of dairy genetic evaluations marks the first major run using the updated Spring Calving Index (SCI) model. It also reflects the updated £SCI genetic base, recalibrated to the performance of spring block calving cows ensuring the index continues to benchmark bulls against the genetics most relevant to UK spring calving systems.
The Jersey, VJ Boman Lasky Lando moves up to take the number one position with an SCI of £448 offering exceptional maintenance, fertility and udder health.
In second place, Holstein‑bred Denovo Invictus (SCI £408) rises thanks to a combination of excellent fertility, favourable SCC and an expanding UK daughter base.Taking third place is VJ Kjoelby Higher Highlan (SCI £398), a leader for milk quality, reflecting the new model's weighting towards high value milk.

Autumn Calving Index (£ACI)

Winstar Graziano continues to dominate at the top of the Autumn Calving Index rankings at £555, driven by excellent milk components and strong SCC performance.

Moving into second, Winstar Maserati P (ACI £547) maintains momentum with high milk solids transmission.

Third ranking Denovo Invictus (ACI £528) remains a reliable choice for fertility and maintenance, closely followed by FB 442861 Knighton P (ACI £520), which offers a similar balanced trait profile.

Top 10 bulls ranked on £SCI

1 VJ Boman Lasky Lando (Jersey - £448
2 Denovo Invictus (Holstein) - £408
3 VJ Kjoelby Higher Highlan (Jersey) - £398
4 VJ Outrup Luxi Luxplus (Jersey) - £397
5 VJ Ravninggaard Huulus Hamlet (Jersey) £393
6 VJ Drostrupgaard Jojo Jabra (Jersey) - £369
7 VJ NR Haugaard Hays Hauga (Jersey) - £364
8 FB 442861 Knighton P (Holstein) - £355
9 VJ Risholm Luxi Lagoa P (Jersey) - £352
10 VJ Ulvsbjerg Giant Giga (Jersey) - £340

ÌýTop 10 bulls rank on ACI

1 Winstar Graziano (Holstein) - £555
2 Winstar Maserati P (Holstein) - £547}
3 Denovo Invictus (Holstein) - £528
4 FB 442861 Knighton P (Holstein) £520
5 SDG-PH Delux Dominance - £515
6 Peak AltaSolace (Holstein) - £514
7 Cogent Keopon Rocky (Holstein) - £508
8 Peak Mauney (Holstein) - £503
9 Geonsource Captain (Holstein) - £502
10 Peak Powerhouse (Holstein) - £493

READ NOW: How one dairy farm in North Yorkshire tackled mastitis with more space

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý

Ìý