sexed semen and beef cattle uw extension livestock team spring 2010

Sexed Semen and Beef Cattle

UW Extension Livestock Team

Spring 2010

Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

New Technology Ability to Separate X and Y Sperm Researched in

1980’s Commercially available in 2004 Takes advantage of female sperm having 3.8%

more DNA Slow Process since the it takes 3-4 times longer

to process the semen (even at 60 mile/per hour rate)




Results Ability to produce desired sex of calf with 90%

accuracy AI Companies can package less sperm cells

since the dead and abnormal cells are sorted off. Semen now commercially available



Application: First Used on Dairy-reduce number of bull calves-

bulls worth $50 vs heifers valued at $350 Sex Choice depends on herd genetics and

marketing programs Commercial herds want male calves from cows Seedstock herds want male calves for resale



Major Advantages for Breeding Heifers Heifer Calves are lighter than bull calves

American Angus Association Heifer calves from 1st calf heifers— Heifer calves from mature cows—

American Simmental Association Heifer calves from 1st calf heifers— 4.0 lbs less Heifer calves from mature cows— 4.9 lbs less

Helps Reduce Calving Difficulty



Major Advantages for Commercial Cows Male calves

Heavier at weaning Sell for $5-$10 per CWT more Increases lot size a big advantage when selling

Heifer calves Replacements from your best cows Assure that you have enough heifer replacements



Major Advantages for Seedstock Herds

Male calves More Bulls to Sell at Premium Prices Herd Owner can Adjust Numbers of Bulls Born

Heifer calves Replacements from your best cows Assure that you have enough heifer replacements Marketing Advantage when selling bred heifers



Major Points of Concern Conception rate 80-90% of normal semen Prices of semen is $20-$25 more per unit



Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using Sexed Semen* Heaviest use with Heifer Growers-63% vs 39% On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was

3.87 for sex of calves born On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was

3.1 for conception rate On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was

3.09 for Sire Availability On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was

2.92 for price of semen



Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using Sexed Semen*

Heaviest use with Heifer Growers-63% vs 39%

On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.87 for sex of calves born

On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.1 for conception rate

On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.09 for Sire Availability

On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 2.92 for price of semen

* 347 Surveys in 2007-2008 from Use of Sexed/Gender Baised Sem on Wisconsin Dairy Farms-Brusveen, Sterry, Weigel, and Fricke



Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using Sexed Semen* Reasons of Discontinuing Sex Semen

42% had reasons other than price 31% quit due to poor fertility

* 347 Surveys in 2007-2008 from Use of Sexed/Gender Baised Semen on Wisconsin Dairy Farms-Brusveen, Sterry, Weigel, and Fricke

sexed semen and beef cattle uw extension livestock team spring 2010

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