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German Genetics International GBH
 GGI is the international export marketing body representing 13 of the most important German cattle breeding organizations which provide mainly Holstein and Red Holstein genetics. They offer the breeders from all over the world a direct and effortless access to the best bulls from the German breeding programs.
All sires offered are tested with high reliability and accuracy based on the worldwide leading estimation model for breeding values and stand out for widely spread transmission and deep pedigrees. The genetic potential of GGI bulls clearly reflects the German breeding philosophy: High milk performance, good conformation, excellent feet and legs, functional and healthy udders, fertility, and longevity.
- GGI Potential
- 1,484,909 registered Holsteins
- 191,223 registered Red Holsteins
- The largest herd book population worldwide
- 1,100 Holstein and 150 Red Holstein test bulls per year
- The most extensive breeding programs world-wide
- Herd book registration since 1876
- Deep and strong cow families
- Very good cows for small and middle-sized family farms
- Balanced breeding goals
- High milk performance with good components
- At least 10,000kg milk, 4.0% fat, 3.5% protein
- Highly productive, functional and long-living cows
- Suitable for small, medium and large-sized farms
Reliable testing programs
- Optimal testing conditions
- Test bull daughters are kept under completely different conditions in small and average-sized herds, as well as in large herds with several thousand cattle.
- Widely spread, neutral mating level for test bulls
- All second calving cows have to be inseminated with a test bull.
- High reliability of milk recording and breeding value estimation
- All animals of a herd, without exceptions, get directly after the birth an identification card and are centrally controlled. An independent milk recording and an independent computer center guarantee the best conditions for correct registration of data and estimation of breeding values.
Reliable Proofs
 Germany was the first country that introduced the test day model. In addition to this, Germany is the first and only country in the world to correctly record and consider the effect of selective three times milking.
History
Organized breeding started 125 years ago. The German black-and-white breeding looks back on a long tradition. Around 1847, the first cattle breeders association in the North Sea region East Frisia did already organize cattle shows. In 1876, the first official herdbook was founded and performance testing and livestock judging were introduced. Still today, many well-known East Frisian cow families, the base of successful German breeding programs, can be traced back to the foundation of the herdbook.
Breeding Goal
German Holsteins of both colours are bred for high milk production and good growth performance. The breeding goal is the profitable, dairy type cow able to produce over many lactations and to cope with  various management conditions. The industry strives for a genetic production capability of more than 10,000kg milk at 4.0% fat and 3.5% protein percentage. Mature cows are supposed to obtain a size of between 145 and 150cm as well as 750kg of weight. Body and motion traits including correct and sound feet and legs have to correspond to the high production level. In addition, a functional udder is required that is easy to milk and allows high daily production over many lactations.
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