Several years ago when Snowman first made his rise to the top of the proof charts, based on a MACE conversion from his European daughter evaluation, it was thought that his contribution to the breeding world would be small. After all, he was already dead, and with only a very small inventory of semen remaining, his chances would seemingly be limited. Thanks to strategic use of a limited resource via ET Snowman got his chances. In the end over 50 sons were sampled by Semex – many more than by any other organization.

Snowman’s use in Canada as a sire of sons highlights the fact that while he isn’t perfect by far, he does offer excellence in several key areas that Canadian breeders demand more-so perhaps than our southern neighbours. Snowman has always performed better on an LPI ranking than the TPI. That’s because before modifications to both formulas last year LPI had more weight on production and less on daughter fertility and HerdLife which suited Snowman better. But further, within his Type breakdown lies the answer to why he appealed to Canadian breeders. Even today, Snowman is rated +18 for Heel Depth, +11 for Loin Strength and is 7A for Thurl Placement – all traits not measured in the US. Add that he lowers pins and lengthens as well as widens rear teats and it becomes clearer why his sons would be popular here.

The opportunity as always with breeding is to take the good and protect against areas that are not so strong. The Snowman sons that have graduated to the daughter proven side of the proof sheet in December allow you to do just that – build your own Snowman.

 

Let’s start with Chartroise SMURF (Snowman x Planet) who is the highest for LPI among Canadian proven sons. Smurf delivers the extraordinary production yields from both sides of his pedigree along with Snowman-like exceptional feet (+13 Heel Depth, +13 Rear Leg Rear View), ideal rumps (+9 Pin Setting, 4L Rump Angle, +11 Rump Width and 7A Thurl Placement). The amazing production from Smurf daughters is delivered without need to sacrifice on udder traits. Imagine over 2500 kg milk and an 8S rating for Udder Depth. How do they do it? The answer is in the rating for Rear Udder Attachment Width: +16! In fact it is the most noticeable thing about the Smurfs – they have incredibly wide rear udders. Aggressive feeders and moderate in their size, he is a perfect free-stall kind of bull, delivering easy-keeping kind of cows that stay out of trouble and off lists that call for intervention. He is definitely a bull to use and a credit to his sire.

Graduating with a US MACE proof, American-Pride PENTAGON (Snowman x Shottle) is Snowman’s top ranked daughter-proven son for Conformation. At +15, he is also another Feet & Leg specialist (+14 with +9 Foot Angle and +13 Rear Leg Rear View). He sires strong dairy frames (+9 Dairy Strength) and lowers pins (2L). He is better on health traits than his sire delivering low cell counts (2.57) and above average HerdLife (108) and Daughter Fertility (103) and he is above average for Calving Ability (103). There’s lots to like about Pentagon!

If you like having a chance to make some red ones, Dymentholm S SYMPATICO (Snowman x Planet) is definitely a good option. High production (+1421 kg M), great feet & legs (+14), strong loins (+5) and ideal pin setting (+9) make Sympatico a good choice for what most herds need and definitely fits well on most red pedigrees. Note his exceptional Calving Ability rating too (110). Sympatico has an impressive Canadian proof and in fact looks even better in TPI terms.

Many breeders used Velthuis LET IT SNOW (Snowman x Planet) and he delivers precisely what was expected: high yielding cows (+1642 Kg M, +125kg F+P) with excellent overall Type (+12) and especially good Feet
& Legs (+11). He lengthens and widens rear teats (4L, 2W) and lowers pins (6L). Many producers have made positive remarks about their Let It Snow daughters and fully expected him to graduate back onto the
marketing list – so here he is!

Velthuis ACAPULCO (Snowman x Goldwyn) rounds out our Snowman opportunities. He’s again a Milk (+1555 kg M) and Type (+14) specialist and his Type profile is very attractive – especially his +17 for Feet & Legs. They have great foot structure (+13 Heel Depth) and track extremely straight (+16). He also widens teats (6W) and lengthens them slightly (1L) and again also lowers pins (2L). An easy-to-use bull but with bigger calves, perhaps not on heifers. It’s clear that this is the season to build a Snowman. It’s fitting too that your best options should be found in Canada!