Demand high for two new Ai bulls

But two in particular stand out in this regard.

“These are Morningview Aftershock and Barbarossa,” he said.

Aftershock combines massive production with superb type. A high ranking Galaxy son, his modern pedigree will suit pedigree and commercial milk producers. Aftershock’s linear figures speak for itself. He is also excellent in all management traits. Sexed seman is available

Barbarossa, from Germany, is ranked in the Top 20 of PLI sires. He is a massive production sire with over +67 kg of fat and protein. In addition, his daughters have excellent legs and feet. Barbarossa is specifically recommended for robotic milking systems.

All the main, featured bulls in the new Ai Services’ dairy sires catalogue are positive for both fat and protein percentage.

“Farmers now fully realise the extra value which better quality can milk deliver,” Mr Minford said.

“Improved fat and protein levels in milk can make a real difference when it comes to the monthly milk cheque which farmers receive. Base price should only be a minimal target when it comes to the bonuses that are available from cows that can produce high levels of components.”

He continued: “The 2017 catalogue contains a mix of top bulls from all of the world’s main dairying regions. In addition to good components, they are all capable of breeding daughters that are robust and will survive well within a large herd environment.

“Longevity and excellent health traits, as opposed to absolute type, are key drivers for dairy farmers who want to improve the efficiency of their businesses for the long term.”

Mr Minford confirmed that genomic selection continues to identify elite breeding sires at an earlier age.

“The technology is extremely reliable. In fact, quite a number of the sires in the new catalogue were selected on the basis of their initial genomic proofs but now have the daughter recorded figures to back these up.

“Bulls that are genomically assessed will come through with very accurate daughter proofs. This is because the number of animals involved is very large, usually in the region of 100 to 500. And all of this work has, invariably, shown just how accurate the results of the initial genomic testing have become.”

Sexed semen is available from a number of the sires in the new catalogue.

“Again, this is an example of new technology working on producers’ behalf,” said Mr Minford.

“Farmers are more confident in using sexed semen on all their breeding stock. The fact is that they are now as likely to use sexed semen on cows as they are on heifers.”

Details on all of the bulls in the new Dairy Sire catalogue will be featured on the Ai Services’ Winter Fair stand.