Heading to the Gillette Visions 2012 Sale next week?  Wanting to invest in some great cattle?  I am answering “Yes!” to both questions. However, before I go to what is sure to be a great sale, I am going to analyze the lots that catch my eye so I can decide which would be good ones to invest in.  While I am sure Lot 1, Gillette S Planet 2nd Snooze VG-86 2Yr will sell very well.  I am looking for the lots that maybe won’t be the sale toppers but offer great value to those looking to get started in investing in top cattle.  The following are my 10 lots that “look-good-on-paper”.  It will be interesting to see if they have the goods on sight too. (Note: Click here for full sales results, photo’s and analysis).(Read Top Three Things To Consider when Investing In High  Genomic Heifers And 6 Ways to Invest $50,000 in Dairy Cattle Genetics).

GILLETTE EPIC JINGLE – Lot 29

Dam of lot 29 – GILLETTE SHOTTLE JEWELL VG-86-3YR CAN

First catching my eye is the heifer with the highest direct genomics in the sale GILLETTE EPIC JINGLE (DGV LPI +3768).  Jingle’s DGV for LPI is over 1000 points higher than her parent average, telling you she got the best of GILLETTE SHOTTLE JEWELL VG-86-3YR CAN (Maternal sister to Gillette Jordan) and GENERVATIONS EPIC (A sire that seems to consistently leave progeny with DGV’s higher than the parent average).  Epic should bring the feet and leg improvement that Jewell needs, though I will be looking closely at this calf to see if she has enough dairy strength.  While Jewell scores well for dairy strength, the sire stack indicates that this could be her challenge.

DONNANDALE EPIC JAYLO – Lot 61

Dam of lot 61 – BENNER PLANET JAKOVA GP-83-2YR

Next to catch my eye is the heifer with the highest official genomic evaluation in the sale DONNANDALE EPIC JAYLO (GLPI + 3536).  From the #3 LPI cow in Canada, BENNER PLANET JAKOVA GP-83-2YR, Epic is a nice cross on Jakova as you notice, both by her genetics and classification that she needs the rump and mammary system improvement that Epic will provide.  Epic also brings the much-needed attention to health and fertility that is gaining importance to many breeders around the world.  While the GP-83-2yr old score on Jakova might scare some away, given the herd that she is in, and the way the industry is heading, (Read more – Is Good Plus Good Enough) it does not concern me.

MARYCLERC SUDAN CARAMINE – Lot 10

Dam of lot 10 – R-Z BAXTER CARAMEL VG-89-2YR-CAN

Catching my eye for her outstanding and unique sire stack (Sudan x Baxter x Goldwyn x Justice) is MARYCLERC SUDAN CARAMINE the Sudan daughter of R-Z BAXTER CARAMEL VG-89-2YR-CAN.  From the heart of the Ralma Christmas Fudge Family (Read more 2012 Golden Dam), this pedigree has it all, production, durability, and health and fertility.  Combine that with a dam who is the 3^rd generation VG-89-2yr and you have a potent breeding package.

CLEROLI SNOWMAN CARAMILK &
GILLETTE SNOWMAN CASSIDY – Lot 8 & 9

3rd dam of lot 8 & 9 – RALMA CHRISTMAS COOKIE VG-89-3YR-USA DOM

Possessing the highest sire stack in the sale are Caramine’s sisters by Snowman, CLEROLI SNOWMAN CARAMILK and her full sister GILLETTE SNOWMAN CASSIDY. Giving the edge to Caramilk, I would be most interested in the one that possesses the best rump. That is the one type area in this cross that concerns me. For that and the health and fertility aspects I would give an edge to the Sudan mating on Baxter Caramel (see preceding selection).

RALMA-RH MANOMAN BANJO – Lot 18

Dam of lot 18 – RALMA GOLDWYN CLARINET EX-90-4YR-USA

For those of you looking for a more immediate impact there is RALMA-RH MANOMAN BANJO.  Also from the Ralma Christmas Fudge Family ((Read more 2012 Golden Dam), Banjo is fresh and if living up to expectations should look amazing.  In Banjo you get a fresh 2yr old that is ready to rock and roll.  Her DGV’s are 342 points over current GPA LPI, so the potential for great things to come is there.  I am sure she will be generating loads of attention, I will be closely looking at her feet and legs to see if she can outperform her pedigree in this area.

CLEROLI MP WINDBROOK BLUFFY – Lot 20

2nd dam of lot 20 – REGANCREST G BROCADE EX-92-4YR-USA DOM

I have been watching the storyline for FARNEAR BROCADE P BUFFY for a while now (Read – Shooting for Planet Buffy) and this cross of Windbrook has me very intrigued.  CLEROLI MP WINDBROOK BLUFFY DGV LPI of +3365 is 870 points higher than her parent average (2495).  In this pedigree you go right back into the heart of one of the greatest breeding cows in the world today REGANCREST-PR BARBIE EX-92 GMD DOM (Read – 2012 Golden Dam Finalists).  I am always looking for animals that are extremes and there is no question that Windbrook Buffy has gotten the best that Windbrook and Brocade P Buffy have to offer.  I also like this cross because Planet has tremendous health traits and Windbrook would protect the feet and legs and add strength.

LESPERRON BOULDER BREEZEL – Lot 22

2nd dam of lot 22 – REGANCREST G BRIZELDA EX-90-4YR-USA DOM

Continuing in the Regancrest breeding comes LESPERRON BOULDER BREEZEL the Boulder daughter of REGANCREST-I SANCHEZ BREEZE VG-86-2YR.  Breeze’s dam REGANCREST G BRIZELDA is one of the top PTAT cows in the world.  She of course is the daughter of REGANCREST-PR BARBIE EX-92 GMD DOM.  What catches my attention with Breezel is, not only how much her DGV’s are higher than her PA’s (2472 vs. 2154), but also how insanely high her DGV’s for conformation are (+22 Conf.).  There really is no question that she has the ability to continue Barbie’s ability to transmit great conformation.  It’s something this family does like clockwork.

MIDLEE EXPLODE VICTORIE – Lot 56

Dam of lot 56 – APPLERIDGE GOLDWYN VICK VG-87

A sleeper lot for me might be MIDLEE EXPLODE VICTORIE.  While Victorie’s dam APPLERIDGE GOLDWYN VICK VG-87 is not a household name and I have expressed my concerns about Explode in the past (Read – Eight Proven Holstein Sires To Watch For or To Watch Out For), this lot  still gets my attention.  She possesses strong production, durability, health and fertility numbers and  has  good honest breeding, generation after generation tracing back to SUNNYLODGE CHIEF VICK ET VG-86-2YR-CAN 31*.  If you are looking for a good breeding cow family, this may be the cost effective lot for you.

LOOKOUT-PESCE EPIC NEVIS – Lot 59

2nd dam of lot 59 – DE-SU 7051 VG-88-6YR-USA DOM

Rounding out this epic list (pun intended) is LOOKOUT-PESCE EPIC NEVIS.  I have been looking for ways to get into the De-Su breeding program and Nevis provides that, since she is an Epic daughter of DE-SU 9842.  This heifer is a genomic triple threat possessing production, durability and health and fertility.  With her Supersonic sister selling for $46,000 in the Island Heat Wave sale and Nevis having the higher DGV’s, it will be interesting to see what she brings.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

While I still want to see each of these lots (plus some others) live, these are the ones that stand out as having the greatest potential return for the investment dollar.  And hey, if you’re at the sale, come over and say, “Hi!”   I always enjoy talking with passionate dairy breeders.

To get your copy of the catalogue click here.

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