Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria EX-96 5E 5* Crowned 2024 Holstein Canada Cow of The Year

Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria: 2024 Cow of the Year! 103k+ milk, nine elite daughters, 2x Master Breeder legacy!

In a historic announcement made today at Holstein Canada’s Annual General Meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria EX-96 5E 5* has been named the 2024 Cow of the Year, cementing her status as one of the most influential Canadian Holsteins of the modern era. This recognition arrives precisely three decades after Holstein Canada established the award, placing Allegria among legendary predecessors like Comestar Laurie Sheik and Val-Bisson Goldwyn Maya while highlighting her unique combination of longevity, production excellence, and generational Impact.

The Pinnacle of Holstein Achievement

Production Legacy and Lactation Dominance

Allegria’s seven lactations produced 103,504 kg of milk with 4.1% fat and 3.3% protein, translating to 4,243 kilograms of fat and 3,415 kg of protein over her lifetime. These figures place her in the top 0.1% of Canadian Holsteins for lifetime yield, with a lactation curve demonstrating remarkable consistency:

• First Lactation: 12,890 kg (4.0% fat, 3.2% protein)
• Peak Performance: Fifth lactation at 16,302 kg (4.2% fat, 3.4% protein)
• Final Lactation: 13,115 kg at 10 years old (4.0% fat, 3.3% protein)

Her ability to maintain component percentages while increasing volume exemplifies the balanced breeding philosophy that Canadian herds prioritize. The 5E suffix in her name confirms five consecutive “Excellent” classifications from Holstein Canada evaluators – a rarity achieved by fewer than 3% of classified cows annually.

Structural Perfection and Show Ring Supremacy

Allegria’s EX-96 classification score represents the pinnacle of conformation assessment, with evaluators particularly noting:

• Rump: 96 points (ideal angle for calving ease and mobility)
• Feet/Legs: 95 points (optimal bone quality and heel depth)
• Udder: 97 points (fore udder attachment and teat placement)

Genetic Dynasty and Progeny Performance

Daughter Development and Transgenerational Impact

Allegria’s nine milking daughters (3 EX, 6 VG) have collectively produced over 580,000 kg of milk, with several achieving their accolades:

1. Rotaly Delta Allegria EX-93: 4th lactation – 15,220 kg (4.3% fat)
2. Rotaly Lambda Allegria VG-89: 2023 All-Ontario Junior 3-Year-Old
3. Rotaly Supreme Allegria EX-91: Dam of the #4 genomic heifer in Canada

The family’s 39* classification reflects six generations of EX/VG females – a bloodline stability geneticists value for predictable trait transmission.

Embryo Market Influence

Despite limited public auction activity, private embryo sales from Allegria’s lineage have reached record prices:

• 2023: Lot of 10 embryos sold for CAD 38,000 to a German syndicate
• 2024: Three daughters entered genomic elite lists in Italy, Brazil, and Japan

Her genetic footprint now extends to 14 countries, with particular adoption in heat-stressed environments due to her descendants’ maintained production under tropical conditions.

Rotaly’s Master Breeder Strategy

Second Shield Achievement

Allegria’s contributions were instrumental in Rotaly Holsteins earning their second Master Breeder Shield in 2024 – an honor granted to only 19 herds nationally.

The farm’s focus on balanced breeding – refusing to sacrifice conformation for production – mirrors Allegria’s profile. Her 5* designation indicates five sons in AI service, with Rotaly Allegro siring 23 EX daughters across Canada.

Cow of the Year Selection Criteria and Historical Context

Evaluation Framework

Holstein Canada’s selection committee weighted criteria as follows:

1. Production (30%): Lifetime yield, component consistency, lactation persistency
2. Conformation (25%): Classification scores show ring achievements
3. Genetic Impact (20%): Progeny performance, international influence
4. Longevity (15%): Herd life, age at retirement
5. Breed Character (10%): Feminine style, breed type preservation

Allegria’s victory over fellow finalists reflects particular strength in the Production and Genetic Impact categories, where she outpaced competitors by 12% and 9%, respectively, in committee scoring.

30-Year Legacy Comparison

When contextualized against past winners, Allegria’s profile shows both continuity and evolution:

Key Historical Comparisons

• 1995 Winner: Comestar Laurie Sheik (Pioneered high component breeding)
• 2005 Winner: Braedale Baler Twine (Revolutionized type genetics)
• 2015 Winner: Val-Bisson Goldwyn Maya (Global embryo market leader)
• 2024 Winner: Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria (Synthesis of production/type/longevity)

Notably, Allegria represents the first winner in a decade without a maternal sister or daughter previously earning the honor – underscoring her merit within an increasingly competitive genetic landscape.

Conclusion: A Legacy Cemented

Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria’s Cow of the Year designation culminates a career that redefined expectations for Holstein excellence. By harmonizing show ring appeal with barn performance and transgenerational Impact, she embodies the Canadian breeding philosophy of “Cows That Last.” As her embryos continue circulating globally and daughters dominate production records, Allegria’s influence will persist long after her official retirement – a testament to the enduring power of balanced, thoughtful genetic selection.

This landmark recognition serves to honor an exceptional individual and chart a course for future breeding priorities where durability, fertility, and adaptability become the cornerstones of Holstein improvement programs worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• Historic Production: 103,504 kg milk over seven lactations with consistent 4.1% fat/3.3% protein, ranking in the top 0.1% of Canadian Holsteins.
• Genetic Dynasty: 9 daughters produced 580,000+ kg milk; embryos sold for CAD 38k, influencing herds globally.
• Structural Perfection: EX-96 score (97-point udder, 96-point rump) and 5* designation for sons in AI service.

Executive Summary

Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria EX-96 5E 5* has been crowned Holstein Canada’s 2024 Cow of the Year, celebrated for her record-breaking 103,504 kg lifetime milk yield, flawless EX-96 conformation, and generational impact. Her nine high-performing daughters (3 EX, 6 VG) contributed to Rotaly Farm’s second Master Breeder Shield, while her genetic influence spans 14 countries through premium embryo sales. The win highlights her balanced excellence in production, longevity, and adaptability—key traits aligning with Canada’s sustainability goals. Allegria’s triumph, announced at Holstein Canada’s 30th award ceremony.

Learn more:

• Holstein Canada Announces Four Finalists for 2024 Cow of the Year
  Explore the exceptional finalists, including Rotaly Goldwyn Allegria, and their contributions to Canadian Holstein breeding excellence.
• Loyalyn Goldwyn June: 2019 Holstein Canada Cow of the Year
  Dive into the story of Loyalyn Goldwyn June, a previous Cow of the Year winner known for her longevity, production, and show success.
• Finalists for the Holstein Canada Cow of the Year Award, 2022
  Learn about past finalists and their remarkable achievements in production, genetic impact, and conformation.

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