Select Sires’ Board of Farmer-Directors
Calls for Increase in PGA Sampling
PLAIN CITY, Ohio, July 11, 2006 — With the customer in mind, Select Sires' farmer-directed board has recommended expansion of their premier progeny-test system, the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™). With a successful track record in the U.S. and recently in Canada, increasing sampling numbers is an effort to ensure genetic advancement and increase genetic options for the customer.
"The need for high-quality, well-proven genetics is greater now than ever, especially in today's challenging economic conditions. The only way to get there is through farmer participation in progeny-test programs," says Chuck Sattler, vice president of genetic programs for Select Sires. "No company has harnessed the power of farmer cooperation better than Select Sires. For decades, PGA has effectively identified top profit-producing genetics. It's a basic part of our genetic improvement programs. We welcome continued and new participation from producers that want to join this successful effort."
This large-scale sampling program provides the opportunity to progeny-test a wide variety of bulls while allowing producers to continue achieving solid genetic progress. PGA participants use a variety of outstanding pedigreed young sires and are paid benefits for the results. Now is an excellent time for producers to join the PGA. If you’re already a member, consider increasing the level of young-sire usage in your herd.
"For 30 years, PGA has set the industry standard when it comes to producing highly reliable proofs on sires that impact their respective breeds generation after generation," says David Thorbahn, general manager for Select Sires. "Names like ELEVATION, BLACKSTAR, EMORY, BW MARSHALL, DURHAM, SOONER, BERRETTA, BARBER and PROPHET remind us of the many Select sires that have made a positive impact on breed improvement."
Today's lineup at Select Sires continues to thrive with PGA all-stars like 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET. O MAN has topped Select's lineup for TPI™ since his debut as a proven bull in 2003. Today he stands second in the breed for total performance at +1931 (89% Rel.) and is a calving-ease specialist at 3% CE (99% Rel.). O MAN is also positioned as the breed's frontrunner for profitability at +706 Net Merit Dollars (NM$) (95% Rel.).
PGA also produced the ever-popular 7HO5708 Fustead Emory BLITZ-ET, a breed-leader in the U.S. and Canada. BLITZ continues to perform well on Canada’s Lifetime Profit Index (LPI) list, currently ranking among the Top-20 at an outstanding +1843 (99% Rel.). A true milk master, he leads Select's lineup for Milk at +2,331 (99% Rel.).
The Jersey breed has also been positively influenced by PGA; including the high standards set by PGA graduates 7JE670 C-Bar Hallmark GERONIMO and 7JE535 Windy Willow Montana JACE. GERONIMO reigns as the No. 1 Milk sire in the breed at an unmatched +1,994 (85% Rel.) and as the No. 7 bull for JPI™ at +210 (70% Rel.). JACE, a second-crop success sire, places No. 10 for JPI at +202 (98% Rel.) and excels with +1,032 M (99% Rel.) and +450 NM$ (96% Rel.). Year after year, Select’s PGA graduates continue to leave an affirmative mark on the Jersey breed.
With recent expansion of PGA sampling into Canada, PGAC™ graduates offer more options for Select's dairy customers. 7HO7020 To-Mar D-FORTUNE-ET has been dubbed the No. 1 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET son for LPI (+1841) and Conformation (+19) in Canada. FORTUNE is an outstanding Type sire, ranking third among Select's lineup at +2.97 (63% Rel.). He also makes Select's Top-20 for Udder Composite (+2.41) and Foot and Leg Composite (+2.06). FORTUNE is a total performer at +1710 TPI-M. Also hailing from PGAC, 7HO7257 Broad Cove HARBORMASTER-ET increases profits at +396 NM$ (74% Rel.) and ranks seventh for LPI in Canada at +1984. In addition, PGAC began sampling Jersey young sires in 2005.
Because of Select Sires' commitment to research and development, as demonstrated through the annual sampling of more than 350 bulls of six dairy breeds in the U.S. and Canada, you can trust that semen from Select Sires will continue to provide reliable solutions in dairy herds for years to come. Producers can obtain details about qualifications for enrollment and benefits of participation in PGA by visiting www.selectsires.com. Contact your local representative to learn more about milking progeny from the next generation of proven genetic leaders from Select Sires.
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.
™TPI is a trademark of Holstein Association USA.
™JPI is a trademark of the American Jersey Cattle Association.
™Program for Genetic Advancement, PGA, PGAC and Consistent Results are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.
Source: 5/06 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Interbull, Canadian Dairy Network, National Association of Animal Breeders and breed associations.
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