December 2023 genetic evaluations for Norwegian Red (NR) are now published. These December genetic evaluations are based on the same models used in other recent genetic evaluations as no important changes were made to the NR genetic evaluation models since April 2023. However, NR genotypes are being added at a rapid pace so many more genotypes are included in the genetic evaluation run compared to August.
The current evaluations include approximately 220,000 genotyped NR animals.
Newly released Norwegian Red sires are now accessible in global markets
The current global offering of NR sires is exceptional. Many outstanding recent NR sires are now available to global markets. Several of these recent sires have tremendous breeding values for key production traits as well as excellent breeding values for udder conformation and other important traits.
Five recent genomic selected sires that will be appealing to many herds are:
NR Muri-P (252NR12297)
Muri-P is an extremely exciting new sire especially for intensively managed herds. Muri-P is the highest sire for milk, fat and protein production released internationally by Geno to date. He will sire outstanding udder health and very good udder conformation. He will also sire very good feet and legs and improve claw health. Muri-P daughters will be smaller in body weight compared to average NR daughters. The combination of smaller body weight and high production will create a remarkable overall improvement in feed efficiency. Muri-P should be used cautiously on maiden heifers.
He is heterozygous polled and A2A2. Many customers are already excited about the opportunity to use Muri-P as part of their breeding program. He is an outstanding sire for most intensively managed herds.
NR Vestre-P (252NR12328)
Vestre-P is another very new NR sire that will be popular in global markets in the near future. Vestre-P daughters will have excellent fat and protein yields as well as high fat and protein percentages. Vestre-P will also sire daughters with excellent udder conformation, very good feet and legs, and very good fertility. He is a great sire for maiden heifers. He is A2A2 and he is expected to be used in intensively managed herds under confinement conditions as well as in herds that utilize grazing heavily.
NR Stokkeneset-PP (252NR12318)
Stokkeneset-PP is a very new NR sire that will be popular in several markets where polled is important. Stokkeneset-PP will transmit very good fat and protein yields as well as very good udder health and udder conformation. He should be used cautiously on maiden heifers. He is A2A2 so this makes him suitable for herds that demand homozygous polled bulls that are A2A2.
NR Skoien (252NR12222)
Skoien quickly has become one of the most popular and exciting sires ever released by Geno. 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.
NR Lie (252NR12241)
Lie is an excellent all-around sire with outstanding fat and protein percentages, as well as very good fat and protein yields. Lie daughters will have excellent udder conformation with high udders and moderate stature. His daughters will also have very good udder health and very good fertility. He should be used cautiously on maiden heifers. Lie is black and white (red carrier) so he will sire a high percentage of black calves in most crossbreeding situations.
His male calves will grow quickly and finish well so he could be a great option where bull calf value is properly rewarded and black coat color is desired.
To obtain a comprehensive list of available bulls, customers are advised to consult with Geno or their nearest distributor.
The next official genetic evaluations will be available on April 2, 2024
Visit www.norwegianred.com for links to articles and the latest Sire catalog
