The Jersey breed has dominated the £PLI ranking, with some brand new bulls which have risen through the ranks bringing added interest for non-Holstein breeders in the latest AHDB proof run.

The No 1 Jersey, River Valley Cece Chrome (Critic-P cross Celebrity) is a case in point, having risen from 57th position in the December rankings, with a PLI of £568.

Outstanding amongst the top five for his Predicted Transmitting Abilities (PTAs) for production (808kg milk, 33.5kg fat and 27.2kg protein), he also offers excellent improvement in cell counts (SCC -17) and Lifespan (LS +73 days). Chrome is also the highest Type Merit Jersey in the top five at TM 1.9.

Danish VJ Raastrup Hihl Gislev (PLI £457) moves up one place to second, offering high milk quality (0.14% fat, 0.11% protein), the lowest cell counts (SCC -19) in the top five alongside good daughter fertility (+7.2) and lifespan (+61 days).

In third with a PLI of £434, River Valley Circus Craze (Lemonhead cross Pharoah) is a newcomer, graduating from the genomic list last time. He offers good weights of milk, fat and protein (543kg, 21.6kg and 16.9kg, respectively) and high health, notably reducing cell counts (-14), increasing daughter lifespan (+64 days) and also offering high type (TM+1.9).

Two Danish Jerseys round off the top five, one – Danish VJ Blanke Jason Janko – offering the highest milk quality in the top five at 0.34% fat and 0.18% protein while the fifth-ranking Danish VJ Hilario has the most exceptional daughter fertility, at +16.3.

The small but stable British Friesian population sees limited change in the ranking, with long-term headliners, Catlane Caleb and Catlane Cromwell – PLI £346 and PLI £334, respectively – taking first and second positions, ahead of third ranking Lakemead Pinnacle son, Inch Patrick, with a PLI of £324.

In fourth position, former no 1 sire, Lakemead Jingle, who edges downwards with a PLI of £311 but transmits the highest weight of protein on the list (+16.2kg). He ranks ahead of Kirkby Malvern (Blackisle Benloyal) who enters the ranking for the first time, and earns a PLI of £302.

Ayrshires see little adjustments in the first three positions, which are led by VR Nivalan Fimbe Faabeli with a PLI of £552, ahead of VR Gunnarstorp Backen Gobel (PLI £486) and Pell Pers (PLI £447).

Completely new to the Ayrshire list is fourth-ranking VR Vimpula son, VR Stenkulla Vimpula Vilano, with a £PLI of 429. As in the last proof run, the top five are rounded off by VR Kuusian Valpas Vimpula, which has a PLI of £428.

 

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