December 2021 Norwegian Red proof run

Time to read: ca 5 min

This December proof run is the first official proof run with the new and improved model used to calculate genetic evaluations for conformation traits.

Photo of norwegian red bull 12116 Sausvatn-PP
12116 Sausvatn-PP has excellent solids yield and %, he's PP and A2A2. REDX available. Photo: Jan Arve Kristiansen
By Gary W. Rogers

The official Norwegian Red (NR) genetic evaluations for December 2021 are now published by Geno. 

New genetic evaluation model for conformation traits

Geno introduced a new model for conformation traits with this December 2021 proof run.  The December 2021 breeding values (BV) for the conformation traits have increased reliability compared to the past.  This will allow for increased genetic improvement in key conformation traits.  The new model resulted in small to moderate changes in BV for conformation traits for key sires.

The new model includes conformation scores from cows in first through the fifth lactation. This differs from the previous model where only first lactation conformation scores were included.  The addition of scores on older cows to the calculations, will help to select more robust cows that perform well. Newly estimated heritabilities for the conformation traits are higher than in the past as well.  Both these factors resulted in increased reliability of the BV for conformation traits. 

Read more about the new genetic evaluation model here 

Norwegian Red sires available to global markets

Many outstanding NR sires are currently available in the global markets.  Many markets should have access to genomic selected (GS) sires as well as daughter proven sires but recently GS sires have been more popular than daughter-proven sires in most markets.  Local distributors for NR should have details on which sires are available in specific locations. If dairy producers want a specific sire that is not available, they should check with the distributor or directly with Geno to get information on future availability. Many sires are available in conventional semen as well as REDX (NR sexed semen).

The following list includes several selected NR sires that are available or will be available soon in many markets.  Some of the bulls on this list may have REDX available.

Aland-PP (252NR12139) – very good all-around sire, well-balanced trait profile, excellent fat and protein percentages, excellent for heifer matings, unique and rare profile: PP, A2A2, and BB for kappa casein.

Alme (252NR12073) – excellent all-around sire, outstanding daughter yields, outstanding udder health, excellent udders, very good daughter fertility

Brumunddal-PP (252NR12062) – very good all-around sire, outstanding daughter fertility, good for heifer matings, PP, A2A2

Fossesholm-P (252NR12163) – very good all-around sire, very good solids yield, udder health, udder conformation, feet and legs conformation and claw health, Pp, BB for kappa casein

Hagemoen-P (252NR12114) – outstanding milk, fat, and protein yield, very good udder health, udder conformation, small daughters that are outstanding for Feed$aved, Pp, A2A2, AB for kappa casein.

Hauen-PP (252NR12136) – very well-balanced trait profile, excellent udder health, very good fat and protein (both yield and percentages), daughter fertility, calving ease, udder conformation, and Feed$aved. PP, A2A2

Klopstad (252NR12068) – an outstanding combination of high solids yield, small daughter size, and good udders, excellent for heifer matings, excellent for Feed$aved, A2A2.

Langseth (252NR12135) – very good all-around sire, excellent fat and protein yields, very good udders, A2A2

Lynum (252NR12106) – very good all-around sire, well-balanced trait profile, very good solids yield with very good fat and protein percentages, very good udder health and udder conformation, good for heifer matings,

Maurstad-PP (252NR12009) – very good all-around sire, very high component percentages, excellent overall daughter health, very good for heifer matings, PP, A2A2

Oaland-PP (252NR12093) – very good all-around sire, well balanced trait profile, excellent daughter fertility, very good udders, good for heifer matings, good for Feed$aved, PP, A2A2

Sausvatn-PP (252NR12116) – excellent solids yield with very high fat and protein percentages, excellent for heifer matings, excellent for Feed$aved, good udder health, daughter fertility and udders, PP, A2A2.

Selbu (252NR12065) – very good all-around sire, high component percentages, excellent udder health, outstanding conformation, very good for heifer matings, A2A2

Sognnes (252NR12081) – very good trait profile, extremely high for fat and protein percentages, very good udders, not for heifer matings, A2A2 and AB for kappa casein

Storflor (252NR12027) – outstanding all-around sire, high component percentages, excellent mastitis resistance, excellent udders, very good for heifer matings, A2A2.

Tjelmeland (252NR12044) – very good all-around sire, very high component percentages, excellent daughter health and fertility, high udders, excellent for heifer matings, excellent for Feed$aved, A2A2

Trondstu (252NR12024) very good trait profile, very good udder health and udder conformation, good for heifer matings, A2A2 and AB for kappa casein

Haakenstad is now daughter proven and available in some markets

Haakenstad (252NR11935) is the newest daughter-proven sire that is available in some markets.  Haakenstad daughters excel for fat and protein production as well as Feed$aved.  His daughters are small with his purebred daughters averaging 565 kg (1243 lbs.) at maturity so he can be an excellent choice for herds who want to make their Holstein cows smaller very quickly.  His crossbred daughters from Holstein dams are expected to consume almost 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) less dry matter per day just due to smaller body weight compared to an average Holstein cow.

Other available daughter-proven sires include Alm (252NR11876), Hammeren (252NR11863), Hustad (252NR11817), Krovoll (252NR11921), Ofstad-P (252NR11919), Roen (252NR11690), and Skarphol (252NR11855).  Alm and Roen are already very popular daughter-proven sires in many markets.

The next official genetic evaluation will be available on April 5, 2022.