Gold Medal Sire honors were awarded to Vatland Mauser-ET (EX-92-GM), De-Su 527 Spur-ET (EX-92-GM), De-Su 528 Hooray-ET (EX-90-GM) and Ladys-Manor Rd Grafeeti-ET (GM) by Holstein Association USA following the August 2014 sire summaries, in recognition of their officially tested and classified offspring’s superior type and production.

To qualify for this honor, bulls must meet a specified type level for Total Performance Index (TPI), have a minimum reliability of 90 percent for their fat and type genetic evaluations, and be free of all recognized genetic defects. This award is only given to about 25 Holstein sires each year, putting these four sires in elite company.

Mauser is the No. 3 proven Net Merit (NM$) sire at Select Sires. He is an exceptional components transmitter (+81 Fat, +0.10%F, +50 Protein), which leads to his high Cheese Merit (+744 CM$) ranking. At +2177 GTPI, he is one of the best at Select Sires. He earns the HealthMark designation for his low somatic cell score (SCS) (2.75) and high productive life (PL) (+5.1). Mauser is a calving ease (6.1%DBH) and FeedPRO sire available in gender Selected semen.

Spur, a top-35 GTPI sire at +2163, is one of Ensenada Taboo Planet-ET’s (EX-90-GM) best sons for feet and leg composite (FLC) (+2.36), udder composite (UDC) (+3.00) and type (+2.85). His daughters are high milk producers (+1,864 Milk) that stand the test of time (+4.4 PL). Spur is a calving ease sire at 6.5%DBH.

Hooray sires cows with moderate stature and functional type (+2.45). He transmits production (+1,827 Milk) with excellent component yields (+74F, +60P). Hooray is among the best at Select Sires for GTPI (+2179), NM$ (+611) and CM$ (+642). He is a FeedPRO and Diamond Selection sire.

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Grafeeti debuted in the active lineup this sire summary as a high reliability sire with outstanding NM$ (+697), CM$ (+774) and type (+2.53). His daughters produce excellent components (+.19%F, +71F, +.05%P) and are moderate in stature with exceptional udders (+2.75 UDC) and feet and legs (+2.56 FLC). His low SCS (2.70), high PL (+4.8) and positive daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) earn him the HealthMark designation. With over 4,000 observations, Grafeeti is a calving ease (7.1%DBH) sire and earns the FeedPRO and Diamond Selection designations. PD

—From Select Sires news release