Dutch
English
Red Range crowns unparalleled breeding influence as Dutch Cow of the Year
Lakeside Ups Red Range VG-86 selected as Dutch cow of the year (Photo: Koepon)
Some cows win a title. Others change the course of a breed. Lakeside Ups Red Range VG-86 (by Mr Salvatore RC) undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. Her election as Dutch Cow of the Year 2026 by the readers of Holstein International Plus (HI Plus) and the expert jury is therefore a more than deserved recognition of an extraordinary breeding career.
For anyone who has followed the international Holstein industry over the past decade, Red Range’s victory comes as no surprise. She has developed into one of the most influential Red Holstein cows of her generation, a status already highlighted when she was named Global Red Impact Cow 2021. Her genetic influence extends far beyond the Netherlands. Sons, grandsons and even great-grandsons are active in AI programs around the world and continue to shape modern Red Holstein breeding.
The story of Red Range is inseparably linked to Koepon Genetics. As a young calf, she was sold by the Van Vliet family (Lakeside / Upstream Holsteins) to Koepon in 2017. At the time, she ranked as the number one Red Holstein female in Europe at 2718 gTPI, attracting widespread international attention. Few could have predicted that she would go on to become a cow of global significance.
Red Range in 2017, just before Lakeside/Upstream Holsteins had sent her to auction
Red Range showed exceptional promise from an early age. Not only because of her pedigree, tracing through De Oosterhof DG Rose RC and Holbra Pam back to Golden-Oaks Mark Prudence EX-95, but especially because of her transmitting ability. Her unique combination of production, functionality and elite genetics laid the foundation for a cow family that continues to excel generation after generation.
When discussing influential brood cows, the number of AI sons is often an important measure. By that standard, Red Range ranks among the very best. At least sixteen of her sons entered AI programs around the globe. In addition, she established an enormous female family. Within Koepon Genetics alone, the Red Range family now numbers well over 400 female descendants. Among the current standouts are:
- Koepon Dman Range 460 P Red (Dressman P Red x Arizona) 156 gRZG & 3004 gTPI
- Koepon Simply Range 442 P Red (Simply Red x Fred Red P) 154 gRZG & 409 gNVI
- Koepon Mingle Range 514 (Mingle x Sheepster) 3423 gTPI
- Koepon Karl Range 465 (Karl x Sheepster) 3391 gTPI
- Koepon Expedia Range 540 (Expedia x Sheepster) 3385 gTPI
- Koepon Mican Range 522 RDC (Mican x Tricky Red) 3299 gTPI
- Koepon Rolf Range 439 Red (Rolf P RDC x Powerhouse) 3277 gTPI & 376 gNVI
- Koepon Margin Range 521 P (Margin-P x Sheepster) 3272 gTPI & 314 gNVI
- Koepon Kemper Range 520 P RDC (Kemper PP RDC x Sheepster) 3230 gNVI
- Koepon Simply Range 436 Red (Simply Red x Fred Red P) 446 gNVI
-
Koepon Simply Range 434 Red (Simply Red x Arizona) 443 gNVI
For a complete overview, visit the Koepon Genetics donor page.
One of her daughters: Koepon Altuve Range 7 RDC VG-87 (Peak AltaAltuve RDC)
The most famous member of her legacy is undoubtedly 3STAR OH Ranger-Red. The Rubels-Red son at Semex developed into one of the most influential Red Holstein sires of his generation. Through Ranger-Red, as well as sons such as Robin-Red, Ryder-Red and Relax-Red, the influence of Red Range spread rapidly across the globe. Their success is a testament to the exceptional breeding power of a cow family that has remained among the international elite for years.
Koepon OH Robin-Red (Rubels-Red x Red Range)
Her earlier recognition as Global Red Impact Cow already demonstrated her worldwide significance; the Dutch Cow of the Year 2026 title now confirms her special place within Dutch breeding history as well. Nearly nine years after her birth, the Red Range family continues to play a leading role in international embryo and breeding programs. This past May, the Mr Salvatore RC daughter once again impressed after calving for the fifth time. Her dam, Rose RDC VG-89 at Sudena Holsteins, also recently calved again, further emphasizing the durability and longevity of this remarkable family.
This award is not only a tribute to Red Range, but also to Koepon Genetics. Through vision, dedication and breeding expertise, the team and breeding strategy led by Alex Borst continued to develop a cow family that has made a lasting impact on the global Holstein breed.
On behalf of GenHotel, we congratulate Koepon Genetics on this outstanding achievement. The title of Dutch Cow of the Year 2026 is a fitting reward for a cow whose influence on international Holstein breeding will be felt for generations to come.