Sexed Semen

• What we know 
• What we have learnt 
• How best to use it

• It works but you need to know the facts
• It contains 2-4 million sperm per straw where conventional frozen semen has 15-20 million
• Can cost up to twice ( x2 ) as much per straw
• It is up to 90 to 95% effective as conventional semen but you need to put the odds in your favour
• Produces 90% female and 10% male calves

• If you are going to pay twice (x2) as much per straw and get 2-4 million sperm / straw – you need to put the odds in your favour.
• Target use of sexed semen over your MOST FERTILE females – best FERTILITY
• The most fertile females in your herd are:-
  - well grown maiden heifers
  - cows with a proven track record (+ve fert)

• Well grown Maiden Heifers is the key driver
• It is WEIGHT not AGE that is important
• Maidens at joining should be 55-60% of mature cow weight for their respective breeds
• Puberty is not age driven – it is largely weight
• Can join maidens with Fixed Time AI (FTAI)
• Select Sexed Semen bulls for Calving Ease as 10% of calves will be bulls. CE ABV102+

• How do you pick cows that are most fertile?.
• Your own records are the best guide
• - DIM cows calved atleast 40+ days
• - cows that get in-calf quickly to 1-2 insems ( not the cows that take 3+ insem each year )
• - cows NOT under current vet/drug treatment
• - not too old, cows 7+ years decline in fert
• You can use farm software or Cow Fertility ABV

• Well grown healthy MAIDEN HEIFERS
• Cows with a PROVEN TRACK RECORD
• Some records on Sexed Semen conception by bull but can vary from conventional concept
• Limit your risk by using more than 1 AI bull
• Joining programs
  -Maiden Heifers to FTIA 2 weeks before cows
  -You can SYNC cows but join on actual heat

• Your Heifer replacements are early born and bred from your most fertile females using SEXED SEMEN ie 90% chance of a heifer
• Your late cows (less fertile) are more likely to be in-calf to normal (non-sexed) semen and have a 50 : 50 chance to produce a Hfr and late born heifer that may or may not be needed. These can be sold or exported.
• CYCLE gets more EFFECTIVE each year as your replacements from HIGH Fertility Cows

• We know that those herds that follow the process do get good results year by year
• If you cut corners and take short cuts it can bite and bite hard. Don't join underweight heifers
• Using Sexed Semen correctly results in a increased number of heifers born to :-
  -Your Maiden Heifers (with easier calving)
  -Your most Fertile Cows

More heifers than you need - its an opportunity!