Dairy farmers can now get more high genetic merit heifer calves with LIC International’s sexed semen.
A selection of LIC’s top bulls are available in SexedULTRA 4M® semen. We have Jersey, Holstein Friesian and KiwiCross™ sexed bull semen available for sale to dairy farmers around the world.
This tried and tested technology gives dairy farmers a 90% chance of producing a female calf.
As part of a well-managed breeding programme sexed semen can help you:
- Breed your herd’s next generation from your best cows
- Get more high genetic merit heifer calves with LIC’s sexed semen bulls
- Boost genetic gain
- Reduce male dairy calf numbers
- Create opportunities from surplus calves
- Target the market with beef-cross calves
- Drive more profit to your bottom line.
View LIC International’s Sexed bull teams available in your market
Considerations when using sexed semen
There are wider considerations to keep in mind to optimise sexed semen use on dairy farming operations.
A New Zealand trial showed that frozen sexed semen thawed at room temperature averaged 13% lower conception rates compared to conventional semen.
Europe and US trials showed that frozen sexed semen thawed at 37 degrees Celsius and inseminated 16 hours after a standing heat resulted in a 3% to 6% difference between sexed and conventional semen.*
Execute a well-managed plan to reap the benefits of sexed semen:
- Mate yearling heifers to sexed semen – they have higher conception rates than milking cows
– Choose bulls suitable for yearling mating
– Pregnancy scan early to identify cows in-calf to AI bulls - Mate heifers 10 days before the main herd
- Avoid mix-ups by calving cows in-calf to AI bulls separately to cows in-calf to stock bulls
- Use strict criteria when selecting cows for sexed semen. For example, young, high genetic merit, healthy, early-calved and cycling cows
- Mate selected cows before your herds mating start date. Move the mating start date forward if necessary
- Ensure herd fertility is high before you consider using sexed semen
- Be certain cows are on full standing heat before mating with sexed semen. If you’re unsure use a conventional straw
- Have plenty of stock bulls ready to cover returning cows. For example, two teams of one bull to three non-pregnant cows if using two-year-old bulls, plus spares
- Follow STgenetics® handling and insemination instructions for SexedULTRA 4M®.
*Trial information provided by STgenetics®
