Proven and young Holstein bulls compared for daughter yields, productive life, somatic cell score, and inbreeding

The objective of this study was to compare daughters of proven (progeny-tested) and young sampling bulls available for use at the same time for yield traits, productive life, somatic cell score, and inbreeding. Data were from USDA sire evaluations of July 1989 through July 1994. Proven bulls used between 1989 and 1994 were identified based on the change in number of daughters. Young bulls were identified based on age and date a bull first entered artificial insemination. Young bulls were classified into two categories: one included all young bulls available in one year and the other included the top 50% on parent average for milk. Daughter deviations for yields, productive life and somatic cell scores, and average inbreeding were obtained from May 2000 evaluation. Daughter deviation milk was not different between proven and top 50% young bulls but was lower for all young bulls. Young bulls (all and top 50%) exceeded proven bulls in daughter deviation fat and protein. Progeny of proven bulls had favorably higher productive life in most years but unfavorably higher somatic cell score than progeny of young bulls. Inbreeding was consistently higher for daughters of young bulls than for those of proven bulls. Results indicate that young bulls were competitive with proven bulls. Use of young bulls from among the top 50% should result in equal or higher genetic progress in yields compared to contemporaries by proven bulls.