Maternal Matters: Breeding technologies

It’s important to consider whether implementing breeding technologies such as artificial insemination (AI), synchronisation, and sexed semen could help take your herd forward. The below pages detail what you need to know to make that decision.

Why should I consider using artificial insemination (AI)?

There are many ways artificial insemination (AI) can help beef producers. One of the main advantages is that it allows producers with suckler herds to access high genetic merit sires with estimated breeding values (EBVs) that suit their herd’s breeding programme.

The key advantages of using AI are that you can:

Improve the genetics of your herd
Use bulls with proven performance
Tailor the breeding of your herd by selecting for maternal or terminal traits
Speed up the genetic progress of your breeding females by using sexed semen
Reduce the number of bulls you need to keep on farm

From 2017 to 2020, AHDB Beef & Lamb subsidised the cost of a DIY AI course for suckler beef producers to the value of 50%.

Find out more about DIY AI and how participants have used their new AI skills in their own herds

Shout About The Sire: know the benefits of registering sires on passports

Only 30% of sires are currently registered on cattle passports.

Discussions with industry suggest that many producers do record sires. However, they do not share the data with the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) as it isn’t a legal requirement.

Carcase trait Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are now available to help you choose a bull based on the things you get paid for. However, they can only be generated if you record the ear tag number of the sire when registering a calf with BCMS.

Find out more about the National Beef Evaluations and carcase trait EBVs

Find more on Shout About The Sire and how to get involved in taking the beef industry forward

AI, synchronisation and sexed semen for suckler herds

Find out how artificial insemination (AI) and synchronisation can be used in the suckler herd.

Find out more about AI & synchronisation for suckler herds

Useful links

Find out more on DIY Artificial Insemination

Do you know the benefits of registering sires on passports?

Visit our national beef evaluations page, helping you breed for the traits you get paid for

Sectors:

Beef & Lamb