Sexed Semen and
Beef Cattle
UW Extension Livestock Team
Spring 2010
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

New Technology




Ability to Separate X and Y Sperm Researched in
1980’s
Commercially available in 2004
Takes advantage of female sperm having 3.8%
more DNA
Slow Process since the it takes 3-4 times longer
to process the semen (even at 60 mile/per hour
rate)
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Results



Ability to produce desired sex of calf with 90%
accuracy
AI Companies can package less sperm cells since
the dead and abnormal cells are sorted off.
Semen now commercially available
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Application:




First Used on Dairy-reduce number of bull calvesbulls worth $50 vs heifers valued at $350
Sex Choice depends on herd genetics and
marketing programs
Commercial herds want male calves from cows
Seedstock herds want male calves for resale
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Major Advantages for Breeding Heifers

Heifer Calves are lighter than bull calves

American Angus Association



American Simmental Association



Heifer calves from 1st calf heifers—
Heifer calves from mature cows—
Heifer calves from 1st calf heifers— 4.0 lbs less
Heifer calves from mature cows— 4.9 lbs less
Helps Reduce Calving Difficulty
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Major Advantages for Commercial Cows

Male calves




Heavier at weaning
Sell for $5-$10 per CWT more
Increases lot size a big advantage when selling
Heifer calves


Replacements from your best cows
Assure that you have enough heifer replacements
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Major Advantages for Seedstock Herds

Male calves
 More Bulls to Sell at Premium Prices
 Herd Owner can Adjust Numbers of Bulls Born

Heifer calves
 Replacements from your best cows
 Assure that you have enough heifer replacements
 Marketing Advantage when selling bred heifers
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Major Advantages for Seedstock Herds

Male calves
 More Bulls to Sell at Premium Prices
 Herd Owner can Adjust Numbers of Bulls Born

Heifer calves
 Replacements from your best cows
 Assure that you have enough heifer replacements
 Marketing Advantage when selling bred heifers
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Major Points of Concern


Conception rate 80-90% of normal semen
Prices of semen is $20-$25 more per unit
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using
Sexed Semen*





Heaviest use with Heifer Growers-63% vs 39%
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was
3.87 for sex of calves born
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was
3.1 for conception rate
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was
3.09 for Sire Availability
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was
2.92 for price of semen
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using Sexed Semen*

Heaviest use with Heifer Growers-63% vs 39%

On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.87 for sex of
calves born
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.1 for
conception rate
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 3.09 for Sire
Availability
On a scale of 1-5 (5 Very Satisfied) the mean value was 2.92 for price
of semen



* 347 Surveys in 2007-2008 from Use of Sexed/Gender Baised Sem on
Wisconsin Dairy Farms-Brusveen, Sterry, Weigel, and Fricke
UW Extension Livestock Team
Sexed Semen for Beef Cattle

Reports from Dairy Herds with Experience Using
Sexed Semen*

Reasons of Discontinuing Sex Semen


42% had reasons other than price
31% quit due to poor fertility
* 347 Surveys in 2007-2008 from Use of Sexed/Gender Baised Semen on
Wisconsin Dairy Farms-Brusveen, Sterry, Weigel, and Fricke
UW Extension Livestock Team