Proofs December 2011: Good Tidings of Unique Pedigrees and Genetic Progress We Bring

O'Harrows Chaz 9307

O'Harrows Family Farm, Oconto Falls - WI

As time passes, the trend in genomic bull usage continues to increase. These younger bulls therefore now play a larger role for Alta in tri-annual genetic evaluations. This December, we add 21 new G-Star bulls to the list for a total of 45. Together, these 45 bulls have an impressive average GTPI of 2229. Three of the new additions to the G-Star list; 11HO11063 AltaSUSTAIN (Domain x Shottle, 2368 GTPI), 11HO11077 AltaMELHOR (Al x O Man, 2363 GTPI) and 11HO11087 AltaBRIAR (Super x Shottle, 2343 GPTI) rush onto the scene, all making their G-Star debut in the top 6 for GTPI.

The FutureStar list sees 10 new additions this round, highlighted by a new chart topper. Ultra-popular 11HO10661 AltaMETEOR snags the #1 position on the FutureStar list with a GTPI of 2294 – a GTPI height never previously attained by a FutureStar. With proven calving ease and fertility data now accompanying the FutureStar lineup's high GTPI's, these bulls are well on their way on the path to being successfully daughter proven.

Many Global Advantage® partners, eager to continue on the track to genetic progress according to their specific genetic plan, await the genetics of these and other impressive bulls.

New Releases

This proof round, 8 bulls receive their first official daughter evaluation. These new bulls are added to a group of previously released daughter proven sires which were incredibly stable, with the average of our top 10 TPI bulls increasing 11 TPI points, with none dropping more than 14 TPI points.FutureStars continue to graduate to the proven lineup in impressive numbers, with 4 graduating this summary. Also noteworthy are the unique pedigrees present among the proven new releases. Of the 8 new bulls, only 2 contain either O-Man, Goldwyn, Shottle, Planet or Ramos in their Sire x Dam x MGS pedigree, proving that unique pedigrees can be found without sacrificing genetics.

11HO10166 AltaCHAZ (Toystory x Boliver x Addison) / 1913 TPI / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

New release AltaCHAZ is easily admired for his ability to do it all. He wraps production, health and functional type in an outcross package. AltaCHAZ' production proof is complimented by over 1000 lbs of Milk and positive component percentages. Strong Net Merit ($430) and SCS (2.81) add to this bulls list of strengths. Not only will AltaCHAZ progeny will be born without difficulty (6% SCE), his daughters will also calve with ease (5% DCE).

His early daughters have impressed Advantage® Consultants, making him a favorite. Consultants deem AltaCHAZ an 'udder specialist' as daughters consistently exhibit mammary systems of exceptional quality and texture, with very high and wide rear attachments and smooth blending fore attachments. Balanced production and health, combined with moderate stature and sound feet and legs, assure daughters of AltaCHAZ will remain long lasting, problem-free members of your herd.

11HO10042 AltaQUATTRO (Toystory x O Man x Mtoto) / 1947 TPI / ConceptPlus / Cheesemaker /

Our first new release this December is AltaQUATTRO, a bull that receives his first proof from the Netherlands. AltaQUATTRO begins his proven career with 1947 TPI and a balanced proof for production and type. Daughters of AltaQUATTRO produce high levels of component rich milk (+1341 lbs Milk, +.05%F, +.04%P, 112 CFP). Due to wide usage during his days as a FutureStar there are numerous observations on AltaQUATTRO's squeaky-clean calving traits (5% SCE, 5% DCE and 6.3% SSB) and ConceptPlus profiles.

Daughters of AltaQUATTRO are on the taller side, with great width and openness. Udder quality and attachments are ideal and teat placement is excellent. Daughters track straight from the rear view and have steep foot angle. Their combination of strength, dairyness and will to milk make daughters of AltaQUATTRO ideal for every environment.

11HO10186 AltaGLENCOE (Elegant x Lancelot x Durham) / 1875 TPI / HealthPlus / Cheesemaker

AltaGLENCOE's unique sire stack makes him an excellent outcross sire. Daughters are unfailingly high type (+2.16 PTAT) with well attached udders, a strong cleft, super udder texture and plenty of bloom (+2.67 UDC). These 'straight lined cows' have medium to tall stature, long bodies, and are wide through the rump.

AltaGLENCOE sires good production, positive component percentages and positive values for health traits. These qualities, combined with 6% DCE and his pleasing type profile, make AltaGLENCOE an appealing choice for a wide variety of management systems.

O'Harrows Glencoe 9451 O'Harrows Family Farm; Oconto Falls - WI

11HO10040 AltaWOTHERSPOON (Toystory x AltaADAM x Lucky Leo) / 1845 TPI / Cheesemaker / ConceptPlus

Another new release outcross with great component deviations (+.11%F, +.07%P) and eye-catching daughters (+1.95 PTAT) is AltaWOTHERSPOON. This bull makes the kind of cows that look like they'll work hard and milk well, which happens to be exactly what they do. High fertility semen, denoted by his ConceptPlus status, adds to AltaWOTHERSPOON's skill set.

Dutch Meadows Wotherspoon 5352 Dutch Meadows Dairy; St. Johns - MI

11HO10149 AltaPEDRO (AltaZESTY x Ozzie x AltaAARON) / 1815 TPI / ConceptPlus / Cheesemaker / HealthPlus

Continuing the trend of outcross sires with strong component deviations is AltaPEDRO, whose %P value is among the top 3 for Alta (+.11%F, +.09%P, +546 CM$). This FutureStar graduate also possesses a sophisticated health trait profile with +1.5 DPR, +3.5 PL and 2.65 SCS. DCE is an attractive 6% and a ConceptPlus status adds confidence AltaPEDRO will get your cows settled.

11HO10000 AltaMIAMI (Marion x Stormatic x BW Marshall) / 1756 TPI

Newcomer AltaMIAMI corners the production game this round with +2276 lbs Milk, making him #2 at Alta in this regard. With all of that milk, 109 lbs CFP is no difficult feat. Daughters of AltaMIAMI spell milk from nose to tail with wide frames, openness of rib, dairy strength and high, wide rear udders. Another outcross bull, AltaMIAMI also boasts 6% SCE and 7% DCE.

11HO10075 AltaEVERWILD (AltaWILDMAN x AltaTHRONE x Durham) / 1722 TPI / ConceptPlus

An AltaWILDMAN from an AltaTHRONE; AltaEVERWILD is the product of an 'All Alta, All the Time' mating. The first AltaWILDMAN son to graduate, AltaEVERWILD makes them like his daddy did – milky (+1159 lbs Milk) with great frames and welded on udders. AltaEVERWILD also offers a tremendous calving profile (6% SCE, 7% DCE), a unique pedigree and top notch fertility.

11HO10153 AltaAMAZING (Goldwyn x Durham x Storm) / 1679 TPI / ConceptPlus

This highly anticipated graduate's dam is the famous MD-Delight Durham Atlee, All-American as a three-year old and a great transmitter with several high GTPI offspring. Daughters of AltaAMAZING possess many of the qualities seen in the maternal side of this bull's pedigree and easily stand out from their contemporaries.

Tremendous udder improvement (+3.73 UDC) is the primary feature of this bull, with udder linear traits worth writing home about (+5.54 R. Udder Wid., +5.22 R. Udder Ht., +4.31 F. Udder Att.) AltaAMAZING is sure to sire the show-stopping, fancy kind. Just a few years ago, this bull was Alta's highest genomic sire for PTAT. Now, his daughters confirm that ranking as a proof of +3.54 makes AltaAMAZING #1 for Type for Alta and #2 for Type in the US this round.

December 2011 proofs brought many successes for Alta. Exciting new genomic bulls were released to the G-Star and FutureStar lists, graduates of the FutureStar program continue to fulfill genetic promises, and unique pedigrees were plentiful in our newly proven line-up. Profitable genetics that can be counted on to get cows pregnant ‐ that's Alta's focus...and we have the programs, products and people to get the job done.

Article by: Lynsay Henderson, Marketing Specialist