The April 2025 Norwegian Red (NR) proof run based on Geno’s data does not include changes to the genetic evaluation models.
However, there are important updates to US PTAs for NR sires due to the routine five-year genetic base change by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB).
Effective April 1, 2025, this adjustment shifts the genetic base from cows born in 2015 to those born in 2020. As a result, all breeding values published on the US scale will be affected. This update reflects the genetic progress made over the past five years and ensures the evaluations remain relevant and current. While this change may alter the numerical values of breeding evaluations, it does not impact on the genetic potential of the animals themselves. This routine adjustment, conducted every five years, ensures the continued accuracy of genetic evaluations.
For more information on CDCB Genetic Base Change, visit https://uscdcb.com/basechange
Polled Genetics and Reliable Breeding Values in Norwegian Red
Norwegian Red has long been at the forefront of polled genetics, consistently increasing the availability of polled (P) and homozygous polled (PP) sires. By prioritizing high-merit polled bulls, NR provides dairy farmers with a reliable source of genetics that eliminates the need for dehorning while maintaining strong performance traits.
In addition to genetic advancements, Norwegian Red’s genomic-selected (GS) breeding values remain highly reliable, offering exceptional accuracy in predicting daughter-based performance.
Backed by an extensive database of genotypes and phenotypes, Geno ensures consistency, giving dairy farmers confidence in making informed breeding decisions.
Top Norwegian Red Sires Available Globally
The April 2025 proof run introduces an exciting lineup of nine top-performing Norwegian Red sires, including five newly available bulls in global markets. These sires excel in production traits while offering superior udder health, fertility, and calving ease. With many of them being polled (P) or homozygous polled (PP), Norwegian Red continues to expand access to high-quality, polled genetics worldwide.
For detailed availability, farmers are encouraged to contact their local Norwegian Red distributor.
These are nine exceptional NR sires that are now available in various global markets:
12426 NR Bentdal
Bentdal is an outstanding sire for herds that manage for high production, with extremely positive BVs for milk kg and fat & protein Kg. Also, his daughters will have good fertility and low somatic cell count.
Bentdal can be used on maiden heifers, and he has very positive BVs for stillbirth as well. His daughters are expected to have good udder and great feet and legs conformation. A2A2 beta casein and AB kappa casein.
12382 NR Hamre-PP
Hamre-PP is an excellent all-around sire that is homozygous polled and is very popular in many markets. He is already included in breeding plans for some aggressive minded herds. Hamre-PP will sire outstanding fat and protein yields as well as high fat and protein percentages.
He will also sire excellent udder conformation and very good feet and legs so he is an outstanding choice for herds that manage for high production. Hamre-PP can be used on maiden heifers. Beta casein A2A2.
12431 NR Horjem-PP
Horjem-PP is an excellent high fat & protein % sire combined with positive milk yield. He is homozygous polled. He will be very popular in grazing herds and other herds looking for excellent fat percentage, protein percentages, daughter fertility, udder health and claw health.
Positive breeding values for calving ease and stillbirths make him a good choice for maiden heifers. Horjem-PP daughters are expected to have excellent udder conformation and very good feet and legs. A2A2 beta casein.
12389 NR Jamtheimen-PP
Jamtheimen-PP is a great choice for grazing herds focused on producing high milk solids mainly driven by high percentages. All progeny will be homozygous polled. He is outstanding for protein %, with very high fat % and breed average milk yield.
His daughters are expected to have very high fertility and will also be very fast to be ready being served after calving which is a very important trait in block calving herds. Easy calving sire, he has very positive BVs also for stillbirth. Outstanding for udder health and also for hoof/claw health, he’s a top NR sire for Feed$aved index which helps to identify the most feed efficient sires.
Udder conformation is very positive, Jamtheimen-PP will also help to reduce stature and size when mated on Holstein cows and maintain size while adding strength when mated to Holstein/Jersey crossbreds. A2A2 beta casein.
12391 NR Laupen-PP
Laupen-PP has a great trait profile for grazing herds and other herds looking for high components, very good udder conformation and very good feet and legs. Laupen-PP is especially high for fat percentage and fat yield. He is very good for calving ease so is an excellent choice for maiden heifers.
He will also moderate cow size making him an excellent all-around sire for herds that desire moderate cow stature and overall cow size. He is homozygous polled, A2A2 beta casein.
12408 NR Lilleaas-PP
Lilleaas-PP is an excellent all-around sire that is homozygous polled. He will sire outstanding fat and protein yields with breed average percentages.
He will also sire great udder conformation so he is an outstanding choice for herds that manage for high production.
Lilleaas-PP is the highest sire for feet and legs conformation. He is outstanding for udder health. A2A2 beta casein and AB kappa casein.
12419 NR Otterstad-P
Otterstad-P is an excellent all-around sire with a great production profile which combines high percentages and high yields. His daughters are expected to have both great fertility and udder health. Otterstad-P is excellent for udder and feet and legs conformation.
Easy calving and with a short direct gestation length. His daughters will be medium size, with a lot of strength.
12222 NR Skoien
Skoien has become one of the most popular and exciting sires ever released by Geno. His first daughters have just started calving in Norway and very soon will start also in many markets internationally. He ranks extremely high on almost any index that might be used to choose sires for modern herds. Skoien is a tremendous all-around sire with extraordinary fat and protein production (for both high yields and percentages). His daughters will have outstanding udder conformation and excellent udder health. They will also have very good feet and legs and hoof health.
Skoien is very good for heifer matings, is A2A2 and his male offspring will have very good growth and beef characteristics. He is a must-use sire for intensively managed herds.
12432 NR Tangvollen-P
Tangvollen-P is an excellent all-around sire with high milk yield and milk %, especially fat, providing excellent total milk solids production. His daughters are expected to have much dairy type and great feed efficiency.
He’s very good for daughter fertility, and extremely good for udder health with very low somatic cell count and low mastitis frequency. Tangvollen-P can be used on maiden heifers and he is also a short gestation sire.
His daughters will have great udder conformation, with long teats, and very good feet and legs. Tangvollen-P will reduce or moderate daughter size as his daughters will be smaller in body weight compared to average NR sires so customers can expect outstanding feed efficiency in Tangvollen-P daughters. He is A2A2 beta casein.
The next official genetic evaluations will be available August 12, 2025.
