Jumpstart P powers to top of AHDB young sire rankings

Genosource Jumpstart P has taken the number one spot in AHDB’s latest young sire rankings, as a new generation of Holstein genetics combines high production with stronger health, fertility and efficiency.

The polled sire leads the August Profitable Lifetime Index (£PLI) rankings at £919, ahead of Genosource Judo on £917 and newly available Peak AltaSpinwin on £907.

Jumpstart transmits 56.8kg of fat at +0.28% and 35.9kg of protein at +0.12%, alongside a Mastitis Index of -2. His sire, Genosource King P, also features in the top 20 in 12th place, combining strong production and health credentials with the added advantage of being polled.

Genosource Judo has climbed into second place and is the highest milk and protein transmitter among the leading 20 bulls. The OCD Fugleman Radical son transmits 1,288kg of milk and 47.2kg of protein, while also sharing the highest EnviroCow score in the group at 4.9.

Peak AltaSpinwin enters third place with a PLI of £907. A son of AltaMakeover, he combines strong production with a Maintenance figure of -24 and a daughter Fertility Index of 6.8.

AltaSpinwin also shares the leading EnviroCow score of 4.9. AltaMakeover’s influence is evident across the rankings, with three of his sons appearing in the top 20.

AHDB says the latest evaluation reflects a wider move towards bulls capable of delivering gains across several traits rather than excelling in just one area.

Marco Winters, head of animal genetics at AHDB, said: “What stands out in this evaluation is that the top bulls no longer excel in just one area.”

“Today’s leading sires combine strong milk solids with improvements in health, fertility, efficiency and environmental performance, giving breeders greater confidence that genetic gain can be achieved without compromise.”

OCD Thorson Ripcord moves into fourth place on £905 PLI, combining one of the most favourable Maintenance figures in the rankings at -32 with a Fertility Index of 10.3. The results also highlight the growing influence of the Thorson bloodline, with descendants featuring prominently across the top 20.

New entrant Genosource Hemi takes fifth place on £891 PLI, backed by particularly strong fitness traits. He offers 153 additional days of lifespan and a daughter Fertility Index of 11.5, contributing to a HealthyCow index of £249.

UK-born Denovo Canterbury completes the top six on £887 PLI. The Absolute son transmits 60.3kg of fat at +0.29% and records an EnviroCow score of 4.8.

Peak AltaRotation and Genosource Lingo share seventh position on £880 PLI, with Lingo standing out for milk quality at +0.38% fat and +0.17% protein.

OCD Radical Josh Allen retains ninth place on £879 PLI, while Peak AltaFanbase completes the top 10 at £871. AltaFanbase is also the highest-ranked bull for Feed Advantage, with a score of 298.

Further down the top 20, new entrant SFH Scudetto Red stands out for longevity, recording a PLI of £865 and an additional 192 days of lifespan — the highest figure in the group.

Peak AltaSovereignty, on £857 PLI, leads for fat transmission at 63.5kg and +0.35%.

Health-focused breeders may also take note of Denovo Caterpillar, which combines -29 for somatic cell count with a Mastitis Index of -3. ABS 18 Galactic offers a combination of strong fat production and daughter fertility, with both bulls recording a PLI of £853.

Winters said the presence of red and polled genetics among the leading sires was also giving dairy producers a wider range of breeding choices.

“The presence of high-ranking red and polled sires in the top 20 [see ranking] also demonstrates the continued broadening of breeding options available to UK dairy farmers.”