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The inaugural intake of the Holstein Innovation programme has produced its first young sire set to make an impact on the Holstein Friesian breed in New Zealand.
Kaahu Wimbledon Halo, bred by Mark and Suzy Riddington (Black & White 2010 Ltd), is out of Paragon Portion Honey ET, purchased by the Riddingtons at the Canterbury Collection Sale.
Holstein Innovation Chair Doug Courtman says Halo’s dam hails from a world-renowned cow family, developed in New Zealand by Rikus Scheepers.
“Paragon Portion Honey ET is a granddaughter of AOT Modesty Hoss ET, who was herself a granddaughter of Cookiecutter Mom Halo ET,” he says.
“This family is celebrated as one of the most prepotent worldwide. Popular sires such as Mr Ernest Anthony Havenofear and Ducket PFCT Has It All are just two examples from this line making their mark in New Zealand.”
Backed by proven sires Wimbledon, Portion and Mookie, Halo is well placed to suit a range of New Zealand breeding programmes.
Holstein Innovation is a joint sire proving scheme between HFNZ and LIC, designed to select and prove Holstein Friesian bulls for New Zealand dairy farmers. Genomic screening identifies elite young bulls for artificial breeding, while giving LIC access to diverse cow families within Holstein Friesian NZ member herds.
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