AUTUMN 2022
NEWSLETTER
TTER
‘Are conception rates with Sexed Semen drawing closer to that achieved from a conventional straw?’
The level of satisfaction amongst Australian dairy farmers using Sexed Semen (SS) is growing at a rapid rate. Recent data from the National Herd Improvement of Australia (NHIA) revealed that in 2021, 22% of all dairy semen sold was sexed. This was a lift of 7% from 2020. The reasons why farmers use SS are well documented. Historically, there has been a level of conservatism amongst many as to the potency of SS. But many farmers are now following market trends and heeding the advice of industry specialists by looking for a product that delivers more sperm per dose. Just as importantly however, is factoring in sires that are extremely high in semen fertility. Either way, the demand for SS is at an all time industry high, with many semen companies worldwide struggling to keep up with this demand. he highest
s number 1 Cow data er number 1. continues to be a large stumbling block in Australia. The inability of many sires to receive a publishable proof, even when ‘adequate’
doses have been distributed, highlights a significant flaw in the herd recording system. Unfortunately, the inability to access valuable data such as herd health and herd fertility information from some On-Farm Dairy Software programs, compound this issue considerably. One of the most he importance events in recent times occurred in America with the April proof summaries, where over one million additional lactations were added. ence exciting per ge sizeWhilst of this farmer generated data wasn’t as complete as official herd recorded lactations, it still had a significant impact by way of improving the whenreliability A.I is of many bulls. Whilst it has been talked about for many years, the inaction of our industry’s governing bodies to facilitate a similar coming even retrieval of ‘like’ data is frustrating to say the least. The Herd Improvement Industry in Australia is at a critical juncture in time. It would be disappointing to see that in five years time, there may not be “proven sires” in Australia due to lack of data.
2014. Regards, nd
ds,
Brad Aitken, Manager/Owner Leading Edge Genetics
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