As a heifer, Simone was classified with 86 points; she has now calved three times and has already produced more than 36,000 kg of milk with 3.94% fat and 3.75% protein. As a heifer, Simone was flushed, among others, with Koepon Marpon. This resulted in the beautifully built 88-point first-calf cow Sterksel Simone 3, now in milk. “She already stood out as a calf with a fantastic frame. And she produces large quantities of milk very easily,” Van Middelaar says. As a heifer, Simone 3 achieved a lactation value of 120 with a 305-day record of 11,419 kg of milk with 4.19% fat and 3.48% protein, and she recently calved for the second time.
Sterksel Simson shows the value of genomic selection
Sterksel Simson would have been an anonymous bull calf if CRV had not used genomic selection. The story of this InSire bull began with the purchase of an anonymous heifer from the dairy farm of Vecunda Vee CV in Sint Anthonis (the Netherlands). This daughter of Delta Skyline caught CRV’s attention because her genomic breeding values were sky-high compared with her expected values. The heifer was moved to CRV’s test farm run by Hans van Middelaar, who named her Sterksel Simone.
Sterksel Simone 3
Efficient and healthy
Sterksel Simson was born from Simone 3’s natural heifer gestation by Delta Nobrainer. The combination turned out exceptionally well. “Simson transmits Nobrainer’s components, and in his lower line you see his dam’s body capacity, rib shape, and rump width,” notes Van Middelaar. Moreover, Simson’s genomic breeding values also rose far above his expected values. FeedExcel bull Simson transmits more than +900 kg milk with +0.41% fat and +0.14% protein, combined with 106 feed efficiency, 107 persistency, and above-average daughter fertility. With 110 udder health and 108 hoof health, he also scores very well for health traits.
Simson shows an almost faultless linear trait. His daughters will develop into cows of average stature with plenty of capacity, strong rib structure, and wide, slightly sloping rumps. Their legs are strongly used, parallel when viewed from behind and more curved than average from the side. The udders are solid with somewhat longer teats. Milking speed (95) is a point of attention. Simson transmits the protein variants A2A2 and BB and has a calving ease score of 103
