Increase in AI breeding shows proves profitable

ICBF data shows a significant increase in AI dairy breeding over the past five or six years.

Previously, only 16 AI-bred heifers per 100 cows were being bred each year.

For the past few years, many of the best farmers have been setting a target of 40 AI-bred heifers per 100 cows, to allow for expansion, culling and the sale of surplus stock. However, it takes five or six AI straws to produce a suitable dairy heifer calving down.