Goldwyn sons come good for Semex UK
Like father like son: the legend that is Braedale Goldwyn undoubtedly lives on through his sons, with the latest proof run propelling so many up the ranks for Semex UK – the original marketer of Goldwyn – that the company has ended up with a staggering nine bulls in Holstein UK’s top 30 type rankings. Such has been the success of Goldwyn sons and the proofs in general for Semex that its UK managing director Gordon Miller is calling it “the most successful proof run for the company in recent times”. It confirms the company’s position as the country’s top supplier, not just of type- orientated dairy genetics, but also of health and fertility sires, at a time when these traits are becoming increasingly important in the industry.
Topping the bill is the Goldwyn son Crackholm Fever, out of Crackholm Emory Fashion. He is ranked at number two for Conformation in Canada at +19, which translates to +3.50 UK Type Merit. He also scores a UK-table topping +3.37 for Feet & Legs (+17 Canada) and +2.64 for Mammary (+15 Canada). The main attraction for producers will be these fantastic feet and legs and outstanding udders, says Mike Dennison, Semex’s regional manager and one of its sire analysts.
Next on Holstein UK’s billing, at number four, is R-E-W Seaver. His daughters are also exceptionally strong and powerful (+14 Dairy Strength in Canada) with plenty of milk and high protein percent. He has a Canadian Conformation of +17 (MACE TM of +3.12), a Mammary score of +17 in Canada (+2.94 UK), and an exceptional somatic cell count of -20. As an added bonus, Seaver scores +2.0 on UK Fertility Index showing his daughters get back in calf easily.
But Goldwyn isn’t the only name in town. Ranked at eight is Pine-Tree Sid, who has a Canadian Conformation score of +18 (UK TM +3.03) and a Mammary of +17 in Canada (+3.11 UK). His great advantage to breeders is that he offers a different bloodline, says Mr Dennison, being a Mr Sam son out of a daughter of Opsal Finley. Sid will sire animals that are tall, dairy and have ample strength and exceptional udders. “Reports from Canada show that Sid is an exceptional type sire with the added benefit of having great show appeal,” he adds.
Gillette Jordan, which has been sold in the UK for several months in advance of any proof, continues the Goldwyn run at position 13 in Holstein’s UK’s type table. Jordan is also Semex’s No.1 LPI bull, with a high Conformation of +15 (UK TM +2.90), a Mammary score of +2.33 and a Legs & Feet score of +2.82. He sires animals that are medium in stature, with high milk, level fat and protein percentages, and extremely low cell counts (-23).
Making up the final positions in the Semex newly-proven group Gillette Winners and Comestar Lauthority. Of particular note is Lauthority – who is ranked number 2 on type in the US at 3.61 PTAT, and has been sold by Semex as a genomic bull in the UK for some time. He has scores of +17 Conformation in Canada (+2.68 UK TM), +2.23 for Mammary, and +2.45 for legs & Feet.
“This has been an outstanding proof run for Semex, with many bulls offering tremendous type and production traits, as well as exceptionally strong health traits,” says Mr Dennison. “They will appeal to a wide range of dairy farmers throughout the UK, working on all of the different dairying systems – be it high input high output or low input low output.
“The breeding emphasis throughout the industry is now very much on type and longevity traits, which Canadian breeders and Semex have concentrated on for many decades. This exceptional proof run and the fact that the company has nearly a third of all of the bulls in the top 30 type rankings in the UK are evidence that all the work over a number of years is paying dividends, and is continuing to move the Holstein breed forwards.”
