Official December 2024 genetic evaluations are now available in most countries and the Norwegian Red (NR) breeding program has had another very successful proof run.
The December 2024 NR proof run from Geno is based on the same models that were used in the recent past, however, more genotypes and phenotypes have been added. The current number of genotypes and phenotypes allows Geno to maintain impressive accuracies for breeding values of NR genomic selected (GS) sires.
Reliable and Accurate Breeding Values
Recent analyses confirm that Norwegian Red's GS breeding values are remarkably accurate, with no significant bias. These values reliably predict daughter-based outcomes, providing dairy farmers confidence in using NR sires for precise selection decisions. This assurance of accuracy strengthens Norwegian Red’s reputation as a leader in genetic advancement.
Norwegian Red sires available in global markets
The December 2024 proof run introduces an exciting lineup of Norwegian Red bulls now available worldwide. These sires boast elite breeding values for production traits, along with impressive scores for key characteristics like udder health, fertility, and calving ease. Many of these bulls are homozygous polled (PP), ensuring all their calves will inherit the polled trait. For detailed availability, customers should consult their local distributor or Geno.
Below are highlights of five exceptional sires now on the market:
Hamre-PP is an excellent all-around sire that is homozygous polled and will become very popular in many markets very quickly. 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. Hamre-PP is unique because he is also homozygous black (also A2A2). This means that essentially all his offspring will be black (not red) when mated to common breeds of dairy cattle. In addition, his offspring will have predominately black coats with limited white in most cases (depends on dam’s amount of white if dam is not solid colored).
This black coat color and the high percentage of black coat might be important for herds that want to maintain black coat color and for herds that get a premium from male calves with black coat color.
Jamtheimen-PP is an excellent all-around sire especially for grazing herds and other herds looking for excellent fat percentage, protein percentages, daughter fertility, udder health and udder conformation. He is also very good for hoof/claw health and calving traits. High breeding values for calving ease and stillbirths make him a good choice for maiden heifers. In addition, Jamtheimen-PP will sire moderate to small daughter size making him an outstanding choice to improve feed efficiency. He is A2A2.
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 and red and white.
His offspring are expected to have more white than most NR sires and his offspring will likely have white as the majority coat color when mated to Holsteins or Holstein crosses.
Muri-P is an outstanding sire for herds that manage for high production. He has already been used in many herds and his popularity will continue to increase where he is available. Muri-P is the highest sire for milk, fat and protein production released globally by Geno to date. Muri-P will sire good udder conformation, good feet and legs (with very good claw health) and excellent udder health. Muri-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 Muri-P daughters. Muri-P is an excellent choice for maiden heifers. He is heterozygous polled and A2A2. Customers should check with their local distributor for availability.
Uppistugun-P is another new sire that will transmit very high production. Uppistugun-P transmits excellent milk, fat and protein production and this will make him a favorite for herds that manage for high production. He is especially high for protein yield which makes him a great choice for herds selling milk mainly to a cheese market. Uppistugun-P daughters are expected to have very good udders and he is suitable for use on maiden heifers. He is A2A2, black and white (red carrier) and his offspring will have minimal white in their coat color. Many of his offspring will be almost completely black which might be important to herds that want to have solid black male calves to meet beef market demand signals.
The next official genetic evaluations will be available April 1, 2025.
