(Reuters) - Dairy cows across the world are mourning the loss of "Jocko", ranked as the world's third most-potent breeding bull, who has died of natural causes leaving behind as many as 400,000 offspring.
Jocko Besne had an industrious
17-year career donating some 1.7 million sperm straws that were used in
France and abroad to keep alive the Prim'Holstein cattle strain, the
main strain of black-and-white milking cow used in France. (click below to read more)
"An
international star from the Prim'Holstein breed, this bull rose to
become an unquestionable reference and ranked third globally in terms of
use," said Creavia, the farming cooperative that raised the
broad-shouldered beast.
The
organization said it believed he had could have spawned between 300,000
and 400,000 offspring. Officially he is credited as being the father of a
mere 161,888 cattle in 21 countries as not all nations have kept
records.
"In France alone, Jocko Besne's daughters are present in 23,370 farms," Creavia said in a statement.
Born
in 1994 at a farm belonging to breeder Gildas Fertil, Jocko was allowed
to retire last year and died earlier this month. Rather than becoming
prize beef, his body is to be sent to Paris' natural history museum
where his prowess will be studied.
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