Survey reveals significant rise in sexed dairy semen use

Data collected over the 12 months leading up to March 2023 shows that sales of sexed semen increased to 76.5% of all dairy semen, marking a notable surge from 70% in 2022.

The Holstein breed remains the most popular choice, representing just over 77.9% of dairy sales. The survey also indicates that beef semen sales to the dairy herd have risen to 49%, up from 48% of total sales in 2022.

The use of sexed semen in the dairy sector has increased considerably over the past decade. Source: AHDB.

The preferred breeds for this purpose continue to be the British Blue and Aberdeen Angus, followed closely by the traditional Limousin and Hereford breeds. There has also been a significant rise in the popularity of the Wagyu breed, which is gaining traction in the market.

Marco Winters, head of Animal Genetics at AHDB, said the marked increase in the use of sexed semen is due to greater confidence among farmers regarding the technology.

“This is great news, as farmers are becoming more empowered to make targeted breeding decisions by only breeding replacements from their best females, aided by tools such as AHDB’s herd genetic report.”

Nic Parsons, head of Dairy Engagement at AHDB, added: “The rise in the use of sexed dairy and beef semen is an encouraging development demonstrating the industry’s continued focus on promoting the Dairy Calf Strategy priorities.

“Farmers are actively contributing to the objectives outlined in AHDB and NFU’s national dairy calf strategy, by decreasing the number of purebred dairy male calves entering the British beef supply chain.”

The GB Dairy Calf Strategy is an industry-wide campaign that aims to ensure more calves are utilised in the food chain by promoting responsible breeding and identifying possibilities for improvement. It also aspires to put an end to the euthanasia of bull calves in the dairy sector by 2023.

Visit ahdb.org.uk/GB-calf-strategy to find out more about the GB Dairy Calf Strategy.