PGA Young Sire Program
(Program for Genetic Advancement)

The goal of the PGA is to sample a balanced group of sires. In addition to individuals with high PAs, several bulls with specialized or diverse pedigrees are also sampled to fill niche markets. All of the bulls are chosen by the most experienced sire analysts in the industry.

Producer cooperation in using PGA semen and making available performance data is a key ingredient to success. To recognize this cooperation, annually Select Sires returns more than $1.07 million to PGA herdowners.
Standard Program:
  • PGA semen at $3 per unit.
  • Heifer Certificates valued at $10 are issued for each identified PGA heifer calf born within 18 months of a PGA young sire’s semen release.
  • Cow Certificates valued up to $50 are issued for each PGA daughter the first time a usable record appears in her sire’s USDA sire summary and through the third sire summary. Actual values are based on the National DHI milk recording program you are using and resulting Data Collection Ratings (DCR) as determined by USDA:
    $50 per cow for herd DCR 90 or above
    $40 per cow for herd DCR 80-89
    $30 per cow for herd DCR less than 80

How can you enroll?

The PGA is designed to test and evaluate a large number of sires each year as efficiently as possible. Accurate evaluation of the early daughters of a sire is critical to the future satisfaction of the many dairy producers who will use the graduates from the program. Thus, herds enrolling in the PGA are expected to meet and maintain the minimum guidelines to achieve the goals of the program. Briefly, these are:

  1. Herd Size - 40 or more cows of the breed enrolled to assure adequate number of herdmates.
  2. Average or above production for the breed and the area in which the herd is located.
  3. Use semen from PGA sires in a manner to maximize the number of PGA sired calves.
  4. Maintain good identification program.
  5. Be enrolled in a NCDHIP testing program from which records are used in the USDA Sire Summary.

To benefit from the most progressive young sire program in the A.I. industry, the Program for Genetic Advancement, contact your NorthStar representative or fill out an information request form.