Fresh-sexed semen to speed herd growth

A 100-cow herd in 2013 could expand to 530 cows in nine years with the help of fresh-sexed semen, say Teagasc researchers.

The benefit of sexed semen in the Irish dairy industry is the increased numbers of heifer calves born, with 90% of successful pregnancies resulting in a heifer calf.

The increased availability of replacement heifers could be a pivotal component of the 50% increase in milk output targeted in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy.