FutureStar Graduates Confirm Global Advantage® Program is Light-Years Ahead

Shiloh Toyota 5655

Shiloh Dairy LLC, Brillion, WI

If you hopped on the Global Advantage® bus early, you are surely patting yourself on the back for it now! This August proof round is rock solid confirmation of the progress and performance that is possible through the Global Advantage® program. All of Alta's top 6 new release sires have been a G-Star, FutureStar, or both, at some point in their early careers. Two year old and springer pens of partners around the world, likely boast many young animals sired by the outstanding group of bulls highlighted in the Alta's August 2011 proof story.

New daughter information looks GREAT on previous FutureStar graduates...

Despite a few being short on classified daughters at the time FutureStar bulls AltaR2, AltaBERLAGE, AltaLOCKLYN, AltaTRIGGER, AltaTOYOTA and AltaOSOFINE graduated to the proven lineup in April 2011 based on consistent type patterns described by Advantage® Consultants and promising production proofs. Fast-forward four months and numerous additional milking and newly classified daughters later, and the genomic predictions these 'once FutureStars' promised have certainly held true.

AltaR2 11HO10017 (Marion x Ramos) / 2041 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus

One of the most well rounded bulls in the lineup, AltaR2 delivers on all fronts; production, health and type. Daughters of AltaR2 produce truckloads of quality milk (+1407 PTAM, 2.63 SCS), calve easily (6% DCE), outlive and out-contribute their herdmates (+4.2 PL, +552 NM$), all while maintaining a balanced type profile (+1.94 PTAT).

Daughters of AltaR2 develop well throughout lactation. They display dairyness, great quality of bone and extreme height and width of rear udder. Cows are moderate sized and track on ideal feet and legs. AltaR2 wraps all of these desirable attributes up in an outcross package that can be used on many of today's popular bloodlines.

AltaBERLAGE 11HO9951 (Laudan x Addison) / 1982 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

Another previous FutureStar with a unique pedigree is AltaBERLAGE, now one of the highest ranking Laudan sons in the world. Considering Alta bulls with >+1000 lbs PTAM, AltaBERLAGE is the highest for both PL (+5.2) and NM$ (+605). Calving trait strength also compliments this bull's unique proof (6% SCE, 6% DCE). AltaBERLAGE continues to sire balanced daughters with great rumps, shallow udders and desirable locomotion.

AltaLOCKLYN 11HO9956 (Shottle x O Man) / 1977 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

AltaLOCKLYN's proof took a nice climb since April, while adding a significant number of daughters. When it comes to calving traits, no bull can outshine AltaLOCKLYN at 5% SCE and 5% DCE. Add to these credentials notable production (+1118 lbs PTAM), NM$ (+456), DPR (+1.1) and functional conformation, and you've got yourself the definition of 'balance.'

AltaTRIGGER 11HO9879 (Goldwyn x O Man) / 1929 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

AltaTRIGGER moved up almost 100 TPI points since his debut in April. A true component improver, AltaTRIGGER is +0.06 for PTAP% and +.15 for PTAF%. AltaTRIGGER possesses an attractive type profile (+2.12 PTAT), indicative of his medium sized, great uddered daughters.

AltaTOYOTA 11HO10079 (Toystory x AltaFINLEY) / 1928 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus

At the Advantage Showcase tour in Wisconsin this past May, AltaTOYOTA daughters were hands-down the crowd favorites. Since his release in April, AltaTOYOTA has added over 50 daughters to his type proof, maintained his initial values (+2.41 PTAT, +2.37 UDC), and has solidified the type pattern we saw on the Showcase tour. As the popularity of this bull grows worldwide, attractive production (+985 lbs PTAM) and health profiles compliment AltaTOYOTA's skill set.

AltaOSOFINE 11HO9898 (O Man x AltaFINLEY) / 1858 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

FutureStar turned proven in April, with type daughters now in his proof, AltaOSOFINE maintains his status as a 'no-holes' kind of bull. AltaOSOFINE leaves his mark by siring long lasting daughters (+3.9 PL) with good components, solid daughter fertility (+1.3 DPR) and profit pleasing Net Merit (494 NM$).

New Releases

AltaRENO 11HO9991 (Marion x O Man) / 1944 TPI

Alta's highest new release this round is AltaRENO, a production (+1740 lbs PTAM, +104 lbs CFP) and feet and legs specialist (+3.48 FLC). This former G-Star sires daughters true to his proof with outstanding feet and legs and an exceptionally steep foot angle. Cows are straight lined, deep ribbed and have an incredible will to milk.

Twin-Birch Reno 8194 Twin Birch Dairy; Skaneateles - NY

AltaTHROTTLE 11HO9895 (Shottle x AltaTHRONE) / 1905 TPI / HealthPlus

AltaTHROTTLE emerges into the proven lineup as Alta's second highest new release in terms of TPI. AltaTHROTTLE wraps desirable productive life (+3.4 PL) and daughter pregnancy rate (+1.3 DPR) figures into a functional type package (+2.13 PTAT, +2.22 FLC). Daughters of AltaTHROTTLE are strong cows with tremendous high and wide rear udders and width through the thurls.

Green Meadows Throttle Molly Green Meadow Farms; Elsie - MI

AltaTRIANGLE 11HO9978 (FBI x Boliver) / 1893 TPI / ConceptPlus

Outcross sire AltaTRIANGLE  becomes officially proven this August round with a proof and fertility to envy. AltaTRIANGLE is a production specialist (+1915 lbs PTAM, +92 lbs CFP) that transmits strength and solid type (PTAT +2.29). Daughters are tall, wide cows with plenty of depth of rib. An udder improver (UDC +2.32), AltaTRIANGLE sires shallow, quality udders with high, wide rear attachments, fancy fore attachments and great teat placement. He hails from a family that breeds cows that excel in loose housing environments - a pattern sure to continue in his daughters. 

Green Meadows Triangle Heidi Green Meadow Farms; Elsie - MI

AltaBLACKWEL 11HO10001 (Boliver x O Man) / 1886 TPI / ConceptPlus / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

AltaBLACKWEL, a fitness trait chart topper receives his first official proof this round. At +4.6 PL and +561 NM$, AltaBLACKWEL is in Alta's top 5 for both of these two highly sought after traits. Combine this health profile with ConceptPlus status, top it off with noteworthy production (+837 lbs PTAM), and you have yourself a bull that meets every commercial dairyman's desire.

AltaCLINT 11HO10008 (Goldwyn x AltaFINLEY) / 1791 TPI

Another former FutureStar and a different kind of bull is AltaCLINT. With the type game cornered (+3.01 PTAT, +2.59 UDC, +2.60 FLC), AltaCLINT daughters are sure to impress even the most scrutinizing eye. Tall, black and stylish, these cows will be long from end to end, wide through the front end and walk out on feet that track straight from the rear. Rear udders are exceptionally wide and attachments are flawless on both ends.

G-Stars and FutureStars

With the rate of genetic progress we've been making, it is not surprising that the G-Star list acquired 24 new sires for a total of 42 sires. The average TPI of sires on this list sits at an impressive 2212. Additionally, 9 new bulls have been added to the FutureStar list for a total 30 bulls in this program. Average TPI of the August FutureStar list is a notable 2080.

This August proof round is rock solid confirmation of the progress and performance that is possible through Alta's Global Advantage® program. With a strong emphasis on a program approach many bulls will continue to graduate with flying colours - from G-Star to FutureStar, and FutureStar to daughter proven.

Article by Lynsay Henderson, Marketing Specialist