Maternal Matters: Artificial insemination (AI), synchronisation and sexed semen for suckler herds

AI is not traditionally used in commercial suckler herds; however, it can have many benefits, allowing farmers to select bulls that are suited to their herd’s breeding programme without the expense of buying and keeping a bull.

If you prefer watching and listening to content, listen to Amy Hughes, AHDB talk about the benefits of using AI and synchronisation in the suckler herd:

Sexed semen to breed suckler replacements

Sexed semen has been widely adopted by the dairy industry and is a technology that has been successfully used for some time. Conception rates to sexed semen can be slightly lower than using conventional. Sexed semen providers report that 90% of the conception rate from conventional is achievable using sexed semen.

For example, if you are achieving 60% conception rate to first service using a stock bull or conventional AI, you should achieve 54% conception rate to sexed semen under the same conditions. However, it does offer more than 90% gender accuracy, meaning that 9 out of 10 cows served with female sexed semen will have a heifer calf. Using sexed semen from a bull with the desired maternal traits that fit your herd can speed up the rate of genetic progress, and when used selectively, can ensure you have the correct number of replacements available from your best cows.

If you would like to order a hard copy of the Breeding, selecting and managing beef replacement heifers manual, please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.