FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ABS SIRES HOLD STRONG POSITIONS FOLLOWING MAY SIRE SUMMARY

DEFOREST, WISCONSIN - May 19, 2005 - The strength of ABS Cornerstone™ Progeny Test Program was evidenced by the release of new sire summary data on Monday, May 9th. All of the February 2005 new releases had data improvements as they added daughters, with an industry leading six of these sires standing in the top 20 on the Holstein Association Top 100 TPI list.

"Our February sire graduates all saw dramatic improvement in type and TPI with the addition of more daughters," stated Scott Bentley, Global Dairy Product Manager. "We credit the Cornerstone Progeny Test Program for developing this strong class of graduates and anticipate strong demand for their elite genetics from dairy producers around the world. ABS has been supportive of the recent advancements to the TPI formula as the changes focus on customer profitability; as do all ABS dairy programs."

The Cornerstone program is producing the next generation of great ABS sires. In order to establish a reliable foundation for future Rock Solid sires, ABS is partnering with Cornerstone herds to collect large volumes of accurate data while enhancing herd profitability. In addition to the opportunity of using future genetic leaders first, Cornerstone participants receive credits for calving ease data, production information and photo assistance plus classification benefits.

The success of this program is shown through TPI leaders like 29HO10681 Bo-Irish ALTON-ET*cv and Penn-England GARRISON-ET as they moved to the top of the TPI list.

ALTON moves to the head of the U.S. TPI class and ranks number two on the TPI list at +1848. He improved in every single type and production trait and is nearly Rock Solid with 97 daughters in 57 herds. He also claimed ABS’ top Net Merit spot being +$585 and is their second high milk bull at +1947 lbs. He does all this while being over +1.40 on both Udder Composite and Foot and Leg Composite.

GARRISON was a Rock Solid® release in February 2005. He combines global appeal, high components, and stellar udders at a +1.97 Udder Composite. He also offers nearly ideal feet and legs with a Foot and Leg Composite of +2.26. His shiny, black frames and his number three spot on the TPI list add to his value.

Other exciting February graduates who showed impressive gains included: 29HO10493 Lutz-Brookview BURT-ET*TV, 29HO10607 Dordell CONCORD-ET*TV, 29HO10615 Den-K CUMULUS-ET*TV, 29HO10440 Ammon Farm DYSON-ET*TV, 29HO10472 Parker Aaron FAITH*TV, 29HO10483 Ridge-Star JAMMER-ET*TV, 29HO10489 Morningview JINGLES-ET*cv, 29HO10572 Vantage-PT MERCHANT-ET*TV and 29HO10584 Jeffana Aaron SAUL*TV.

Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products. Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is part of Genus Breeding, a division of Genus plc.

# # #
To receive the contents of this release electronically, please contact Alice Langer at alanger@absglobal.com, or (608) 846-6203.

Click here to return to the
Latest ABS Global News and Information