Making an Impression

Monument IMPRESSION

Monument IMPRESSION

There’s truth to the statement that you get just once chance to make a first impression. It’s also true that sometimes our first impressions can underestimate the real results we achieve. So it is with Monument IMPRESSION EX-93-8YR-CAN. What is it about this bull that so defies the odds that he should continue to remain in short supply despite being nearly 10 years of age? Over 7300 classified daughters in Canada suggest that most producers have had an opportunity to use him. On to the next bull most would say in this genomic era, but not so fast with Impression.

Perhaps it is the consistency with which he makes good young cows that begins to answer the question. With 81% of his daughters scoring at least GP, there are few disappointments with Impression. In fact, his classification stats suggest you are 25 times more likely to breed a VG daughter from this bull than one that will score Fair. Those are good odds! People tell us regularly how consistent Impression’s breeding pattern is – peas in a pod so to speak. No doubt that’s a big part of the reason his popularity continues unabated.

A consistent breeding pattern is just one of many pieces to Impression’s allure. Here are a few other items that make Impression the darling of our Proven lineup:

  1. Outcross Pedigree – that’s a phrase that gets overused but for Impression it is absolutely the case. Socrates (Blitz x Prelude) x Potter (Manfred x Juror) – it doesn’t get much more different. In fact, the only place you can’t use Impression is on Impression daughters!
  2. Rump Improvement – it is true that we’ve taken the foot off the pedal so to speak on Rump improvement. Bulls like Impression offering +13 for Rump improvement are an anachronism in today’s breeding world. Lots of producers still think rumps are important and Impression does it better than most.
  3. Health traits – although Impression sires bigger calves than we would like, his daughters themselves calve easily and they display an array of health traits that are highly desired. Low cell counts, excellent mastitis resistance and among the best for Digital Dermatitis. He is above average for Milking Speed and Milking Temperament and when it’s all packaged together not surprisingly he is a reliable deliverer of long-lasting cows.
  4. Feet & Legs – there are lots of good bulls for Heel Depth improvement but almost all also markedly straighten rear legs when viewed from the side. Impression does not. He is +14 for Heel Depth and 0 (ideal) for Rear Leg Side View.
  5. Immunity+™ Designation – more and more interest is being afforded the Immunity+ brand as producers conduct their own in-house research. Impression makes it easy to like Immunity+
  6. Robot Ready™ and A2A2 – these two additional brands – especially when combined with Immunity+ create a significant increase in popularity for any bull. Impression no doubt benefits too from these accreditations
  7. Semen Fertility – Impression has long carried a reputation for above average fertility. Along with his many other attributes this one is significant too in ensuring his continued popularity.
  8. Moderate size – interestingly, Impression is a bull that attains high Type ratings without relying on extreme size and stature to make his daughters stand out. They are medium in stature but are wide chested. He manages on this balance to still achieve a double digit Dairy Strength score without gaining a reputation for making them too big.
    Desnette Laynie IMPRESSION

    Desnette Laynie IMPRESSION EX-91-5YR-CAN
    Desnette Holstein, QC

There are likely still more reasons that could be listed for Impression’s unceasing popularity. Rare indeed is the sire in today’s AI industry that remains popular through Genomax™, Proven and Second Crop daughter phases to his career. Even today we struggle to keep up with demand, demand on a global scale that prevents us from making him available in sexed form. He’s never been a top ranked Genomax or Proven sire – for TPI or LPI. Still, Impression is aptly named. His daughters are making the right impression – over and over again and that explains his continued popularity in Canada and around the world.