PLAIN CITY, Ohio, May 1, 2002 — A committee of classifiers from Holstein Association USA, Brattleboro, Vt., has completed an in-person evaluation of 7HO6250 Ricecrest EMERSON-ET*BL,TV and 7HO5841 Sikkema-Star-W HI METRO-ET*CV, and raised their type conformation final scores to Excellent (96) and Excellent (95), respectively. This special evaluation f ollowed the April 11 classification of a larger group of Holstein sires at Select Sires’ facilities in Plain City, Ohio, and Tunkhannock, Pa., which yielded 21 new Excellents. An industry-high total of 70 Excellent Holsteins currently reside at Select Sires.

"The classifiers were impressed with the dairyness of both bulls, and how well they carry their massive frames on sound feet and legs," says Ron Long, vice president, dairy sire procurement, Select Sires. "Not only are these bulls exceptional individuals, but they also transmit extreme type improvement to their offspring. Producers appreciate the added balance of profitable production EMERSON and HI METRO matings bring to their herds."

EMERSON Now Excellent (96)


After earning a point in final score just one year ago, EMERSON has gone from Excellent (95) to Excellent (96) in final score - a designation that only can be stamped on an animal’s official Holstein Association registration paper after collaboration by a committee of three association classifiers.

Ranked 12th on the February 2002 Top 100 Type-Production Index (TPI™) list with +1670 TPI, EMERSON has a +2.34 Predicted Transmitting Ability for Type (PTAT) and plus ratings for all linear traits. He also sires sound production with PTAs¹ of +1,800M +.03%F +72F +.02%P +59P.

A son of 7HO2236 Emprise Bell ELTON, EMERSON is out of an Excellent (93) Gold Medal Dam - Dam of Merit, Wa-Del RC Blckstr Martha-ET. He was bred by Fred and Dale Rice, Chambersburg, Pa.

HI METRO Now Excellent (95)

HI METRO, a sire that was Excellent (92) when he entered active-A.I. service in August 2001 and then became Excellent (93), also was reevaluated by the committee and earned a new final score of Excellent (95). Bred by Sikkema Star Holsteins-W, Oakdale, Calif., HI METRO is a 7HO3257 HIGHLIGHT Mr Mark Cinder-ET son out of one of ELTON’s finest daughters, Sikkema-Star-W Elt Maycy-ET, Very Good (88), Gold Medal Dam, Dam of Merit.

For three consecutive quarters HI METRO has led the breed for udder composite (+3.59). He has a PTAT of +3.23 and a TPI of +1516. HI METRO transmits improved protein production (+.06 PTA%P +29 PTAP), along with extraordinary udders, style and great dairy frames.

More Classification Highlights
7HO5742 Henkeseen HILLCREST-ET*TV increased two points in final score to become Excellent (94), joining Select’s elite group of eight living Holstein sires scored Excellent (94) or higher. This group also includes 7HO3948 MJR Blackstar EMORY-ET*TV, Excellent (97); 7HO4213 Robthom INTEGRITY-ET*TV, Excellent (96); and 7HO3707 Paradise-R Cleitus MATHIE*CV, Excellent (95).

Both 7HO5650 Neu-Way Alvin ALLOY-ET*TV and 7HO5592 Wil-Hart E LOUIE-ET*TV went from Excellent (92) to Excellent (93). New Excellents in Select’s active lineup included 7HO5724 Towerview-Acres TALISMAN-ET*TV and 9HO2315 Paulo-Bro Cel JASPER-ET*TV, each moving from Very Good (88) to Excellent (90). The breed’s No. 2 sire for TPI (+1806), 7HO5851 Sikkema-Star Air MAGNA-ET*TV, was raised three points in final score to Very Good (88).

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is a federation of 10 farmer-owned and controlled cooperatives. It provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying livestock breeders with America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

™TPI is a trademark of Holstein Association USA Inc., Brattleboro, Vt.

¹February 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture and Holstein Association USA PTAs