THE BULLS WHO HAVE BUILT THEIR REPUTATION
By Bonnie Cooper 

The partnership of ABS Global (Canada), Inc. and St. Jacobs ABC, Elmira, Ont., is generating a lot of excitement in the industry today with bulls like “Dundee”, “Roy”, “Bolton” and “Kite”. These two A.I. companies, however, have over the years built their name and reputation in Canada on a number of bulls. In this feature we take a look at a few of the ABS and St. Jacobs bulls who have or are leaving their mark on Canadian Holstein genetics.

Of the many ABS bulls used by Canadian dairymen in the past, there are three legends of the breed who stand out – Paclamar Bootmaker (Ex-94-USA-GM), Hanover-Hill Triple Threat-Red (VG-89-USA-GM) and S-W-D Valiant (Ex-95-USA-GM).

Born in 1963, “Bootmaker” topped the 1967 Paclamar Sale in Colorado at $80,000. Purchased by the Bootmaker Syndicate, he was eventually leased to ABS. Sired by Skyway Valla Vista Double (Ex-GM), he was a son of Snowboots Wis Milky Way (Ex-3E-USA-GMD). “Bootmaker” sired 484 daugh-ters in Canada of which seven classified Excellent and 98 Very Good and 72 per-cent were Good Plus or better. Among his best known daughters here was the American bred A Gor-Wood-D Boot Jennifer (Ex-92-USA-GMD-DOM-14*) who was the dam of Hanoverhill Jethro (Ex-ST). One of the greatest bulls to ever offer the red gene was “Triple Threat”. Born in 1972, this Roybrook Telstar (Ex-Extra) son was from Tara-Hills Pride Lucky Barb (Ex-94-2E-USA-4*), with his second dam being Johns Lucky Barb (Ex-97-4E-USA-GMD-5*). ABS purchased “Triple Threat” as a 6-month-old calf in the 1972 Hanover Hill Sale in New York for a then Red and White record price of $60,000. One of the first prominent bulls to carry the black-red factor, “Triple Threat” was born red but had turned almost black by the time he arrived at the stud. Initially proven in the U.S., “Triple Threat” received his first Canadian proof in 1982. His best known son here was Meadolake Jubilant ET (Ex). He is remembered most, however, for his ability to sire outstanding brood and show cows. In Canada, 80 percent of his 8908 daughters were Good Plus or better with 190 Excellent and 2627 Very Good. In 1983, 60 of his daughters sold through the Allangrove “Triple Threat” Invitational Sale for an average of $9722. His highest selling daughter here has been Hanoverhill FM T T Marq I (Ex), the 1983 All-Canadian 2-year-old who brought $200,000 in the 1985 Hanover Hill Dispersal. Among “Triple Threat’s” other well-known daughters have been A Tora Triple Threat Lulu (Ex-96-USA-GMD-DOM-11*), the 1981 Reserve All-Canadian mature cow who was the dam of Hanover-Hill Inspiration (Ex-Extra), and River Dale Triple Threat May (Ex-2E-20*), who was the mother of three Excellent and 15 Very Good daughters. 

“Valiant” is the Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief (Ex-GM) son from a Very Good-USA Irvington Pride Admiral (Ex-GM) sired dam. Born in 1973, this highly respected bull was acquired as a calf by ABS for $2500. “Valiant” has had an enormous impact in Canada through such famous sons as “Inspiration”, A Townson Lindy ET (Ex-Extra&GM), A Conant-Acres-JY Broker-ET (Ex-Extra), A Carnation Counselor ET (Ex-ST) and A Kingstead Valiant Tab (Ex-Extra). Canada’s current number one Lifetime Profit Index (LPI) bull, Hartline Titanic-ET (Ex-Extra), also has “Valiant” in his pedigree. “Valiant” daughters won many shows in Canada and secured six All-Canadian and three Reserve awards. They commanded top prices too with Hanoverhill SWD Barbara ET being his top selling daughter at $250,000 in the 1984 Rowntree Centennial Sale. Seventy-eight percent of his 2549 daughters in Canada were Good Plus or better with 56 Excellent and 671 Very Good. Among his daughters have been A Plushanski Valiant Fran ET (Ex-90-USA-DOM-35*), formerly the top Star Brood cow in Canada with seven Excellent and 29 Very Good daughters; A Du-Ma-Ti Valiant Boots Jewel (Ex-93-USA-DOM-8*), 1988 Royal Winter Fair grand cham-pion and All-Canadian and All-American 4-year-old; Duregal Rivality Valiant ET (VG-85-7*), the dam of Duregal Astre Starbuck ET (Ex-Extra); and Startmore Chanel ET (VG-86-14*), the dam of Startmore Rachelle ET (VG-14*) who in turn is the dam of Startmore Rudolph (Ex-Extra&GM).

In the early years of St. Jacobs ABC the unit sampled just two or three bulls a year. They also custom collected and marketed semen from many privately owned bulls. Among the bulls they owned or marketed were Rosafe Paris (Ex-ST), Forest Lee Ruben Texal Duke (Ex), Thames Crest Marquis (VG), Elmside View Duke A (Ex) and Weavers Improver-Red (VG). None of the bulls, however, really hit the “big time”. It was not until semen from a number of Browndale bred bulls, who had been sampled through various proving programs of Doug and R.F. (Bob) Brown of Browndale Farm, Paris, Ont., was marketed through the unit that St. Jacobs ABC truly started to grow in recognition amongst breeders across Canada and around the world. Three bulls in particular were prominent – Browndale Highcroft Fury (Ex-ST), Browndale Sir Christopher (Ex-Extra) and Browndale Stardust (Ex-ST). Born in 1972, “Highcroft Fury” was an Ideal Fury Reflector (Ex-GM) son from the “Citation R” daughter, Browndale Citation Lib (VG-8*). All-American 2-year-old bull in 1975, he and his two-time All-Canadian full sister, Browndale Fury Lib (Ex), were Honourable Mention All-American Produce of Dam in 1978. A bull who sired big, framey cows who could win at the shows, “Highcroft Fury” left six Excellent and 82 Very Good daughters among his 906 classified offspring.

“Sir Christopher” was a “Fury” son from the two-time All-Canadian “Telstar” daughter, Green Elms Echo Christina (Ex-18*). Born in 1975, he scored Excellent at 3 years of age just prior to being exported to the Hokkaido Livestock Improvement Association in Japan in 1978 where he was also very popular. In Canada, 76 percent of “Sir Christopher’s” 2488 classified daughters are Good Plus or better with 58 Excellent and 687 Very Good. His highest selling daughter has been Hanoverhill Lady Roxy (Ex-5*) who topped the 1987 Oak Ridges Dispersal at $275,000. “Sir Christopher” sired six offspring who have won four All-Canadian and two Reserve awards. Among his winners were: Rostock Christopher Jacki (Ex-USA), 1980 All-Canadian and All-American 2-year-old; Browndale S C Charleen ET (VG-86-7*), 1987 All-Canadian and All-American 4-year-old; and Walkerbrae S C Autumn (Ex), 1987 All-Canadian 5-year-old. “Sir Christopher” also had several Honor List daughters, including Paperman Sir Seven-Up (VG-86) who set three consecutive Canadian championship records for milk during the 1980s.

One of Canada’s leading type spe-cialists, “Stardust” was a Hanoverhill Starbuck (Ex-Extra) son from one of “Sir Christopher’s” best daughters, Browndale S C Ella (Ex-2E-6*). Born in 1987, “Stardust” was part of the young sire profit shar-ing program which Doug Brown put together after forming Elmira ABC Ltd. “Stardust” received his first proof shortly after ABS became involved with St. Jacobs. He was Canada’s number one bull for type in January and July 1995. Praised for the size, stature and capacity he sired, “Stardust” has 229 Excellent and 2138 Very Good daughters. Seventy-seven percent of his 7594 classified daughters are Good Plus and better. “Stardust” has six offspring who have won seven All-Canadian and two Reserve awards. Among them is Lampada Stardust Rose (Ex-92-Japan), 1994 All-American and Reserve All-Canadian junior 3-year-old; Jeanlu Stardust Fidele (VG-85-2*), a two-time All-Canadian and All-American; and Willsona Stardust Lotto (VG-87), a two-time All-Canadian and once All-American. “Stardust’s” influence has been carried on in the breed through sons like Indianhead Red-Marker-ET (Ex-ST), Markwell Romancer-ET (Ex) and Ernest-Anthony SD Toro-ET (GP).

As the partnership of ABS and St. Jacobs moved forward in the 1990s several new bulls would hit the scene for them and become favourites amongst breeders as well.

Born on New Year’s Day 1990, Ked Juror-ET (GP-GM&ST) was a To-Mar Blackstar-ET (Ex-93-USA-GM) son from a Very Good-88-USA-DOM-GMD “Chief Mark” dam. “Juror” graduated with a proof for ABS at about the same time as a number of other “Blackstar” sons. A high type bull with good production numbers, time would however prove his worth. Of his 4455 classified daughters in Canada, 70 percent are Good Plus or better with 63 Excellent and 892 Very Good. His production average on 5421 daughters on a Mature Equivalent (ME) basis is 11,369 kg milk, 3.6% fat, 3.1% protein (214-207-210). A daughter, Windy-Knoll-View RKB Petrie (VG-88), was All-Canadian intermediate yearling in 1997 and twice All-American. This black bull produced just under a million doses of semen (980,500) in his career. In Canada, his early sons included the full brothers Summershade Inquirer (Ex-Extra), a former number one LPI bull, and Summershade Igniter (Ex-Extra). More recently sons such as Roylane Jordan-ET (Ex-95-USA-GM&ST), Bosside Ruben (Ex-Extra) and Derianne Colorado (G-ST) have emerged.

A very popular bull because of his type transmission, pedigree and red factor was Indianhead Red-Marker-ET (Ex-ST). A “Stardust” son, he was from Stookey Elm Park Blackrose-ET (Ex-96-3E-USA-GMD-DOM-7*), the “Blackstar” who was three-times All-Canadian, twice All-American, and a Royal grand champion in 1995. “Red-Marker” was born in 1994 and was leased by St. Jacobs. He was the first bull to be marketed as an official red carrier as a result of the Genmark DNA Coat Color Test, a test introduced in North America in 1995 by ABS Global. Several brothers to “Red-Marker” have also been available through ABS/St. Jacobs including full brother Markwell Romancer-ET (Ex) and maternal brother Markwell Kite-ET (Ex-ST). Dual sampled in Canada and the U.S., “Red-Marker” is a former number one bull for type in both countries. Seventy-nine percent of his 3767 Canadian daughters are Good Plus or better with 97 Excellent and 1124 Very Good. A bull who can sire massive frames, deep bodies, strong front-ends and well attached udders, he has had many winners in the showring. Eight of his offspring have captured five All-Canadian and four Reserve awards. “Red-Marker” was Premier Sire at the Grand International Red & White Show at World Dairy Expo in 2000. Among his daughters are Flettdale R Marker Mame (VG-89), 2005 All-Canadian senior 3-year-old; Eastriver Indianhead Poli (Ex-93-USA), 2000 All-Canadian junior 3-year-old who has three Excellent and five Very Good full sisters; and Eastriver I R M Jewel (VG-89), 2006 All-Canadian senior 2-year-old. A son, Carrousel Distrigene-Red-ET (Ex-90-USA), who is also owned by St. Jacobs, has two All-Canadian daughters and in 2005 sired the reserve grand champion at the Grand International Red & White Show.

Wa-Del Convincer-ET (Ex-95-USA-SP) was well-known in breed circles already when he received his first Canadian proof in November 2002. “Convincer” was sampled as a young sire in five different countries by ABS. Born in 1994, this Emprise Bell Elton (Ex-95-USA-SP) son from an Excellent-92-2E-USA-GMD-DOM “Cleitus” dam is a carrier of the Complex Vertebral Malformation (CV) gene. “Convincer” was the breed leader for fat in Canada in May 2003 and has ranked as high as number 3 on the LPI list. His daughters are dairy and open ribbed with a definite will to milk and have been highly sought after as bull mothers. Among his top producers is Sildajak Sira Convincer (VG-85) who holds the Canadian championship record for milk, protein and total performance in the 2-year-old class with 305-day credits of 24,749 kg milk, 3.5%, 858 kg fat, 3.7%, 905 kg protein (590-546-675). In 2002, “Convincer” sired the highest sell-ing bred heifer of the year, Lesperron Convincer Lariana (VG-87-1*) who brought $94,000 in the Lesperron Sale. “Convincer” has 2243 milking daughters in Canada who have a ME of 12,181 kg milk, 3.6% fat, 3.1% protein (229-227-224). Of his 1639 classified daughters there are five Excellent and 190 Very Good.  Among “Convincer’s” top LPI sons are Stanbro Money (VG-SP), a former number one bull for fat, and Gen-I-Beq Salto (Ex-Extra).

Let’s turn our attention now to some of the current ABS/St. Jacobs stars. A high type sire who can leave tall, open, dairy daughters with exceptional udders, Roylane Jordan-ET (Ex-95-USA-GM&ST) was born in 1996. “Roy” is now the number one semen pro-duction bull of all time at ABS having produced 1,229,945 units. A “Juror” son, he is from an Excellent-90-USA-GMD-DOM, 2-Star daughter of Madawaska Aerostar (Ex-Extra&GM). “Roy” is +14 for conformation in Canada with a +15 on mammary system. Seventy-four per-cent of his 1070 daughters are classified Good Plus or better with 142 Very Good. Among his show winning daugh-ters are Comco Roy Spears, 2006 All-Canadian 4-H junior yearling, and Belfontaine Roy Discovery, 2006 All-Canadian junior calf. The highest selling open yearling in Canada last year, Stanhope Jordan Trixie, was sired by “Roy” and brought $36,000 in the Stanhope-Wedgwood Dispersal. A red carrier and product of the St. Jacobs’ “Judge’s Choice” program, Markwell Kite-ET (Ex-ST) can leave exceptional conformation in both black and white and red and white. Sired by Donnandale Skychief ET (Ex-Extra) and born in 1999, “Kite” is a maternal brother to “Red-Marker”. At the 2006 Grand International Red & White Show he sired the first 4-year-old and grand champion, Yursden Kite Caramac-Red (Ex-92-USA). In Canada he has three Excellent and 117 Very Good daughters and 77 percent of 495 classified daugh-ters are Good Plus or better. “Kite” is currently +11 for conformation. One of his best red daughters in this country is Parile Kite Alicia (VG-86). She sold for $31,800 in the 2006 Fleury Master Breeder invitational Sale and was first senior 2-year-old and grand champion at the Red & White Show at Expo-Printemps Holstein Québec. Other Canadian daughters include Primium Kite Laura (VG-88), 2003 Honourable Mention All-Canadian milking yearling, and Stelbro Tina Kita (VG-86), who was first senior 2-year-old and honourable mention grand champion at the Red & White Show at Expo Internationale Holstein Québec in 2006.

While he may have been bred and sampled in Great Britain, Picston Shottle-ET (Ex-95-GBR) has his maternal family roots in Canada. “Shottle” is a Carol Prelude Mtoto-ET (VG-Italy) son from Condon Aero Sharon (Ex-91-GBR), an “Aerostar” bred by Condon Holsteins Ltd., Elmvale, Ont. Sharon sold to England as a heifer calf for $4400 in the 1992 Condon Dispersal. Now a 60 Star brood cow, she has 34 Excellent or Very Good progeny in the U.K. Born in 1999, “Shottle” was sam-pled through the Genus young sire program. Heavily in demand by dairy-men around the world, he has been in the international spotlight since making his debut in the fall of 2004. Type is where his strength lies. Known as “Mr. Consistency”, his daughters possess dairy strength, wide front-ends, great feet and legs and outstanding udders. Here in Canada his oldest daughters are just yearlings and calves, but they are already attracting top prices in sales with his highest selling daughter to date being Calbrett Shottle Lela who brought $60,000 in the 2006 Fleury Master Breeder Invitational Sale.

The bull who has really put St. Jacobs on the map recently is Regancrest Dundee-ET (Ex-95-USA-ST). Sired by Marcrest Encore (Ex-96-USA-GM), he is a son of Snow-N-Denises Dellia (Ex-95-2E-USA-GMD-DOM-5*) and is a mater-nal brother to Regancrest Elton Durham-ET (Ex-90-USA-GM). “Dundee” is IBR positive (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) so is not eligible to have semen exported to the European Union. A bull known for his many show winning and high scoring daughters, here in Canada he is +15 for conformation. Eight-two percent of his 875 classified daughters are Good Plus or better with six Excellent and 201 Very Good. “Dundee” was the leading sire of All-Canadians in 2006. He has sired five offspring with four All-Canadian and two Reserve awards. Among them are Bernadale Dundee Dakota (VG-87), 2005 All-Canadian milking yearling, and 2006 All-Canadian winners Marthaven Dundee Alexis, Belfontaine Dundee Abigail and Eastriver Dundee Faith. “Dundee” was Premier Sire of the junior show at the Royal Winter Fair in 2006 and runner-up for overall Premier Sire. His highest selling daughter in Canada is Lindenright Dundee L Laural (VG-88), a two-time All-Canadian nominee who brought $145,000 in the 2006 Stanhope-Wedgwood Dispersal.

A product of ABS’s “Cornerstone” program, Sandy-Valley Bolton-ET (VG-85-USA) has been the number one MACE LPI bull in Canada since his release in May 2006. He has been the number one TPI bull in the U.S. three out of four times during that same period. Born in 2001, this Lexvold Luke Hershel-ET (GM&SP) son is from a Very Good-88-USA-DOM “Convincer” dam who completes seven generations of Very Good or Excellent in the Ricecrest Southwind Kaye-ET (VG-87-GMD-DOM-3*) family. “Bolton” has no milk-ing daughters yet in Canada, but his U.S. daughters show him to be a bull who can sire tall, open dairy cows with out-standing udders who are tremendous milk producers. “Bolton” currently has an MLPI of +2988, while in the U.S. his TPI of +2042 is the highest ever attained by a bull in that country.

As these bulls demonstrate, providing quality bulls that dairymen want has certainly been the goal of both ABS and St. Jacobs over the years. As these two A.I. companies continue to work together as “partners in genetics” we should expect to see many more top bulls as part of their product line in the years to come.