The backbone of successful breeding programmes

Cow families with superior traits

Countless cow families have come and gone over the years. However, some families repeatedly demonstrate their ability to produce bulls that transmit their superior traits to the next generation. So it is high time to showcase two of the leading families in our breeding programme: the Sandras and the Warsis.

VDR SANDRAS: DURABLE COWS WITH FUTURE POTENTIAL

VDR Sandra 2 in the spotlight

K.I. Samen was quick to notice the extreme durability of the Sandra cow family owned by Henk-Jan and Juliëtte van de Riet from Markelo (NL). The Sandras first attracted attention during Big Malki’s first daughter group presentation at the RMV Hardenberg show (NL) back in 2016. One of the most striking members of the group was Sandra 2. This young late-maturing heifer has evolved into an adult dairy cow with an impressive EX 92 score and no fewer than 94 points for legs. In March, Sandra 2 was awarded the title of Best Cow of the Netherlands in 2025. The more than 10-year-old cow claimed the title thanks to her excellent component percentages partnered with her eternal youth.

Hundred tonners Sandra 1 and Sandra 2

Noting milk production of more than 110,000 kg and more than 10,000 kg of fat and protein, Sandra 2 is a prime example of durability. She is due to calf for the eighth time at the end of 2025. Her dam, Sandra 1 (s. Minos), is also a hardworking, productive cow scoring VG 88 and 88 points for legs. With lifetime production of more than 120,000 kg of milk and 10,000 kg of fat and protein, she is approaching the birth of her ninth calf this summer.

High lifetime production and wonderful conformation

The qualities of Sandra 2 have been clearly passed on to her offspring. Her first son, VDR Slash, produces daughters with super legs and high lifetime production. Her daughters, Sandra 5 and Sandra 7, have also demonstrated their powers of excellent production and wonderful conformation.

Influential bull dams

Classified with EX 90, Sandra 5 currently notes lifetime production in excess of 45,000 kg of milk with almost 6% fat and 4% protein. Sandra 5 is the dam of VDR Supergrass and the grand dam of VDR Styles. Her full sister also delivers an impressive performance. Sandra 7 (VG 88), the dam of VDR Simple Mind, has already yielded 47,000 kg of milk with 5.50% fat and 4.18% protein. Sandra 20 (VG 87), the dam of VDR Styles, is another influential cow from this pedigree. In just two lactations, this attractive young cow has already produced more than 25,000 kg of milk with 5.30% fat and 4.10% protein.

Longevity embedded in the Sandras

The Sandra line is an integral part of the breeding programme of K.I thanks to its combination of production power and longevity. Together with the impressive performance of our VDR bulls, we are convinced that this family will continue to contribute to success for a long time to come.

THE WARSI LINE: SUPPLIER OF SUCCESSFUL BULLS TO K.I. SAMEN

Reliable, proven and still going strong

The Warsi line originates in Ontario, Canada, where Dutchglen Chieftess-Red laid the foundation of the family. This family is widely represented in the Netherlands through the Etazon Warsau/Warsi line. Etazon Warsi, the foundation cow of this line, has produced countless influential bulls. Famous names such as Bonhill Aerospace (1998) and Albiorix rf (2007) are examples, as are more recent bulls Bonhill Rambam rf and Wilskracht Aspire Red PP. The Warsi line has been reliable and proven for many years and the family is still a strong part of our breeding programme.

Different branches of the Warsi line

The Warsi family not only excels in delivering leading bulls, the female members also excel in their performance too. The well-known branches in the Warsi line are:

· The Bonhill Warsi line, among the most influential breeding cows are Bonhill Warsi 19 (s. Lightning) and her red-and-white full sister Warsi 20, who represented the Netherlands at the European Championships in Oldenburg.

· The Lotje line, which produced the K.I. Samen bulls Albiorix rf and First Choice.

· The Anemoon branch, the basis of the influential bulls Huntje Holstein Red River and Huntje Holstein Red Ravello.

· The Wilskracht Warsi line, which produced show champions, brood cows and, above all, highly productive dairy cows.

Late maturity

Late maturity is a notable feature of the Warsi cow family. The young heifers have the ability to mature into fine, strong dairy cows. This trait is also clearly evident in the male progeny. The bulls are capable of maintaining a high level performance over the years. An outstanding example is Huntje Holstein Red River, who consistently maintained or even improved his scores. K.I Samen is currently testing the very promising future bull Huntje Holstein Red Ravello out of Red River’s full sister Anemoon 183. This bull shares many similarities with Red River.

The Warsi Branch at Bonhill

The Warsi branch owned by the Bongers family (Bonhill) in Kessel (NL) has acquired a solid reputation with bulls such as Painter P and Bonhill Owner and has a new iron in the fire with Bonhill Rambam rf. The daughters of this promising red-carrier bull (Rubels x Supershot x Maik) can be characterised as youthful, milk-rich heifers with good, correctly positioned legs and sufficient capacity to mature and develop further. The profile of daughters by Rambam rf perfectly reflects the qualities of the Warsi cow family. The Bongers family is also keen to emphasise the character of these cows: hard workers who stand up for themselves.

The Wilskracht Warsi line

Another influential Warsi branch ended up with Emiel Willems (Wilskracht) from Vriezenveen (NL) via embryo flushing. This branch has produced several worthy names. In addition to her career as an impressive show queen, national reserve champion Wilskracht Warsi 879 (EX 93) has proven to be a leading brood cow and has already yielded more than 70,000 kg of milk. Her successes started with her grandsons and great-grandsons and later with her son Wilskracht Camino Red (s. Centrum). Her great-grandsons Wilskracht Aspire Red PP and Wilskracht Speedway Red PP also rank among the most promising young bulls of the moment.

“Both families represent a solid foundation for the breeding success of the future thanks to their proven qualities of production, conformation and longevity.”

Sandras and Warsis: families with a proven performance

We can safely say that the Sandras and Warsis are an essential part of the breeding programme at K.I. Samen. They have the ability to transmit superior genetic traits from generation to generation. These families represent a solid foundation for the breeding success of the future thanks to their proven qualities of production, conformation and longevity.