A.I. & Breeding

The first progeny proven SHOTTLE sons

With the release of sire summary data on Tuesday, January 12, ABS Global added 11 new Holstein sires to its active global line-up.

Artificial insemination (A.I.) has become one of the most common tools for a dairy operation’s reproduction program. It is advantageous over natural service because of dramatic gains in genetic improvement and reduced dangers of dealing with unruly bulls.

Reproductive performance has declined over the last few decades in U.S. dairy herds.

Poor reproductive efficiency is one of the most costly problems facing the dairy industry.

Few dairy farmers complain about having too many female calves. It is now possible to purchase semen that will produce about 85 percent female calves. This technology has changed both the dairy and the dairy industry. Like most new technologies, there are advantages and disadvantages, multiple applications and different approaches as we gain experience.

The A.I. industry has been immersed in an exciting time with the introduction and refinement of some of the industry’s greatest technological advancements over the past several years. Let’s take a look at where we stand with sexed semen and DNA marker technology, possibly two of the most impactful advancements in the industry – and what is to come as we enter 2010.