Semen sex ratios of 95% predicted

Within a year or two, sexed semen will be much more widely available, achieving sex ratios of 90% to 95% females (or males, if desired) and little, if any, drop in conception rates, according to Irish Cattle Breeding Federation chief executive Brian Wickham.

He recently attended a meeting of EU AI Centre vets which was addressed by the chief executive of Sexing Technologies Ltd, and reported that sexed semen technology is improving very rapidly, with two new machines in the pipeline which will have a dramatic impact on availability. He advised those in animal breeding to start thinking about all the implications of ready availability of sexed semen, albeit at a price, for dairy and beef AI bulls.

nMr Wickham is retiring from ICBF after 14 years.

The New Zealander will continue to live in Ireland, and is establishing an independent international consultancy in animal breeding.

Sean Coughlan takes over in October. He has been with ICBF since 2002, and moves up from the position of manager of information systems and financial controller.