Sexed products are the latest technology, so they need a careful approach, high-level farm management and a clear plan to increase livestock. Otherwise, the disadvantages of using this sperm will prevail over its advantages. “Moloko Vitchyzny” LLC started inseminating with sexed semen six years ago – studied on selected animals. Currently, growing heifers brings additional income to the farm, so we share our experience.
The company includes three dairy farms in Sumy region, which keep more than 6 thousand head of cattle. Daily Company “Moloko Vitchyzny” produces 62 tons of extra milk.
We renew the current herd with our own resources. We have succeeded in this direction through the use of sexed semen. Work with this genetic material began in 2014. Learned to work with sexed semen on heifers, during natural desire. We got good results and began gradually increase the number of animals inseminated with sexed semen.
Currently, 90% of heifers are inseminated with this genetic material on the basis of natural desire and the scheme of synchronization of the sexual cycle. Heifers, that have to undergo artificial insemination more than four times, or that have an unsatisfactory ovarian condition are inseminated with normal semen. To maximize the detection of heifers in desire and inseminate in time, we use all possible methods, including marking the root of the tail, automated desire detection systems, and constantly choose synchronization schemes and methods of working with them.
One of the obligatory tasks is to introduce heifers to the herd every month. We plan to increase the number of animals carefully, so there are never any problems with the room or feed.
The technology was applied to cows in 2019. Now we use it during the second and third insemination. We think about using it at the first insemination, as our ultimate goal is to increase the yield of heifers to 70-80%.
Here are the results in the reproduction managed to achieve in 2019 on the production sites of “Moloko Vitchyzny” LLC. It should be noted that the first and the second farms used sexed semen, the third – normal.
The company includes three dairy farms in Sumy region, which keep more than 6 thousand head of cattle. Daily Company “Moloko Vitchyzny” produces 62 tons of extra milk.
We renew the current herd with our own resources. We have succeeded in this direction through the use of sexed semen. Work with this genetic material began in 2014. Learned to work with sexed semen on heifers, during natural desire. We got good results and began gradually increase the number of animals inseminated with sexed semen.
Currently, 90% of heifers are inseminated with this genetic material on the basis of natural desire and the scheme of synchronization of the sexual cycle. Heifers, that have to undergo artificial insemination more than four times, or that have an unsatisfactory ovarian condition are inseminated with normal semen. To maximize the detection of heifers in desire and inseminate in time, we use all possible methods, including marking the root of the tail, automated desire detection systems, and constantly choose synchronization schemes and methods of working with them.
One of the obligatory tasks is to introduce heifers to the herd every month. We plan to increase the number of animals carefully, so there are never any problems with the room or feed.
The technology was applied to cows in 2019. Now we use it during the second and third insemination. We think about using it at the first insemination, as our ultimate goal is to increase the yield of heifers to 70-80%.
Here are the results in the reproduction managed to achieve in 2019 on the production sites of “Moloko Vitchyzny” LLC. It should be noted that the first and the second farms used sexed semen, the third – normal.
Dairy farm in Shpotivka
There are 1100 fodder cows. The average daily milking for a dairy cow is 32 kg of milk. We keep the animals free. In 2019, the yield of heifers was 64%, bulls – 36%. The age of the first insemination of heifers did not exceed 14 months, and the firstborn – 24 months. The number of sperm doses for fertile insemination of heifers – 1.68.
Indicators of reproduction on the farm in the village of Shpotivka for 2019
| Indicator | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of calves born | 107 | 73 | 69 | 76 | 92 | 141 | 148 | 174 | 116 | 123 | 114 | 125 | 1358 |
| Bulls | |||||||||||||
| number | 37 | 30 | 21 | 32 | 23 | 45 | 44 | 52 | 41 | 46 | 59 | 60 | 490 |
| per cent | 35% | 41% | 30% | 42% | 25% | 32% | 30% | 30% | 35% | 37% | 2% | 48% | 36% |
| Heifers | |||||||||||||
| number | 70 | 43 | 48 | 44 | 69 | 96 | 104 | 122 | 75 | 77 | 55 | 65 | 868 |
| per cent | 65% | 59% | 70% | 58% | 75% | 68% | 70% | 65% | 63% | 48% | 52% | 64% | 36% |
| Twins | |||||||||||||
| number | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 44 | |
| per cent | 3% | 4% | 1% | 5% | 5% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 3% | |
| Stillborn | |||||||||||||
| number | 3 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 79 |
| per cent | 3% | 1% | 9% | 9% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 9% | 6% | 3% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
| Death of animals ˂14 days | |||||||||||||
| Young animals till 12 months | 674 | 675 | 665 | 656 | 676 | 702 | 725 | 742 | 732 | 739 | 707 | 712 | 700 |
| Young animals aged 12–14 months | 534 | 548 | 563 | 558 | 552 | 548 | 551 | 532 | 543 | 547 | 563 | 577 | 551 |
| Young animals older than 12 months | 27 | 20 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 24 | 23 |
| Number of heifers, first insemination | 52 | 30 | 41 | 26 | 42 | 5 | 48 | 36 | 47 | 85 | 42 | 67 | 521 |
| Fertilization of heifers after the first insemination | 58% | 63% | 49% | 85% | 47% | 100% | 67% | 53% | 57% | 50% | 52% | 68% | 58% |
| Number of sperm doses/ heifer | 1,78 | 1,62 | 1,96 | 1,75 | 1,80 | 1,94 | 1,39 | 1,59 | 1,54 | 1,68 | 1,60 | 1,59 | 1,68 |
| Age at first insemination, months | 13,4 | 13,6 | 13,2 | 13,3 | 13,3 | 14,1 | 14 | 13,7 | 14,1 | 14,1 | 14,3 | 14,4 | 13,8 |
| Number of heifers for insemination over 16 months of age | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 35 | |||
| Expected age of first calving, months | 23 | 23,2 | 23,2 | 23 | 23,3 | 23,6 | 22,9 | 23,1 | 23,2 | 23,7 | 24,1 | 23,9 | 23,4 |
| The average age of the first calving, months | 24,7 | 25,2 | 24,2 | 23,6 | 23,2 | 23,9 | 23,4 | 23,1 | 23,4 | 23,4 | 23,4 | 23,5 | 23,6 |
| Duration of pregnancy of heifers, days | 277 | 280 | 277 | 276 | 276 | 278 | 277 | 278 | 277 | 278 | 277 | 280 | 278 |
Dairy farm in Ternivka
We keep 620 fodder cows free, the average daily productivity per dairy cow is 35 kg of milk. The yield of heifers in 2019 was 63%, bulls – 37%. The age of the first insemination of heifers did not exceed 14 months, the first-born calves up to 24.3 months. The number of sperm doses for fertile insemination of heifers was 1.83.
Indicators of reproduction on the farm in the village of Ternivka for 2019
| Indicator | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of calves born | 75 | 45 | 47 | 51 | 65 | 52 | 58 | 78 | 61 | 49 | 57 | 61 | 699 |
| Bulls | |||||||||||||
| quantity | 29 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 24 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 258 |
| per cent | 39% | 38% | 21% | 31% | 37% | 37% | 41% | 36% | 40% | 43% | 39% | 34% | 37% |
| Heifers | |||||||||||||
| quantity | 46 | 28 | 37 | 34 | 41 | 33 | 34 | 50 | 34 | 28 | 35 | 40 | 441 |
| per cent | 61% | 62% | 79% | 69% | 63% | 63% | 59% | 64% | 56% | 57% | 61% | 66% | 63% |
| Young animals till 12 months | 356 | 352 | 358 | 361 | 364 | 321 | 327 | 347 | 338 | 353 | 369 | 360 | 351 |
| Young animals aged 12–14 months | 256 | 260 | 259 | 260 | 269 | 267 | 266 | 257 | 273 | 262 | 260 | 258 | 262 |
| Young animals older than 12 months | 24 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 21 | 24 | 28 | 34 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| Number of heifers, first insemination | 27 | 16 | 21 | 29 | 16 | 18 | 28 | 21 | 13 | 45 | 21 | 20 | 275 |
| Fertilization of heifers after the first insemination | 44% | 50% | 48% | 76% | 50% | 56% | 75% | 62% | 38% | 40% | 43% | 40% | 52% |
| Number of sperm doses / heifer | 1,92 | 2,19 | 1,50 | 1,67 | 2,05 | 1,67 | 1,83 | 1,57 | 2,33 | 1,66 | 1,65 | 2,08 | 1,83 |
| Age at first insemination, months | 13,5 | 13,8 | 13,6 | 13,9 | 14 | 13,7 | 14,1 | 14,2 | 14,3 | 14,2 | 14,4 | 14,6 | 14 |
| Number of heifers for insemination over 16 months of age | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | ||||
| Expected age of first calving, months | 23,6 | 24,4 | 23,5 | 23,9 | 24,3 | 23,7 | 23,8 | 24,4 | 25,7 | 24,3 | 24,7 | 24,8 | 24,2 |
| The average age of the first calving, months | 24,4 | 24,5 | 23,7 | 23,7 | 24,5 | 25 | 24,4 | 23,9 | 25 | 24,4 | 25,1 | 23,8 | 24,3 |
| Duration of pregnancy of heifers, days | 272 | 275 | 275 | 273 | 274 | 274 | 275 | 276 | 277 | 277 | 278 | 278 | 275 |
Dairy farm in Maryevka
A tethered farm for 547 fodder cows. The average daily productivity per dairy cow is 28 kg of milk. The yield of heifers after the use of normal semen was 47%.
Indicators of reproduction on the farm in the village of Maryevka for 2019
| Indicator | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of calves born | 19 | 15 | 10 | 36 | 46 | 54 | 34 | 34 | 27 | 37 | 24 | 26 | 362 |
| Bulls | |||||||||||||
| number | 13 | 10 | 8 | 19 | 19 | 25 | 20 | 12 | 18 | 23 | 12 | 12 | 191 |
| per cent | 68% | 67% | 80% | 53% | 41% | 46% | 59% | 35% | 67% | 62% | 50% | 60% | 53% |
| Heifers | |||||||||||||
| number | 6 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 27 | 29 | 14 | 22 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 171 |
| per cent | 32% | 33% | 20% | 47% | 59% | 54% | 41% | 65% | 33% | 38% | 50% | 54% | 47% |
| Stillborn | |||||||||||||
| number | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | ||||
| per cent | 11% | 2% | 4% | 3% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 4% | 4% | ||||
| Young animals under 12 months | 224 | 222 | 215 | 215 | 235 | 248 | 245 | 221 | 202 | 199 | 159 | 169 | 213 |
| Young animals aged 12–14 months | 159 | 140 | 125 | 108 | 96 | 93 | 104 | 135 | 153 | 167 | 212 | 205 | 141 |
| Young animals older than 12 months | 222 | 232 | 241 | 228 | 211 | 190 | 160 | 149 | 132 | 107 | 98 | 85 | 171 |
| Number of heifers, first insemination | 21 | 7 | 2 | 25 | 19 | 18 | 26 | 12 | 3 | 47 | 12 | 22 | 214 |
| Fertilization of heifers after the first insemination | 50% | 43% | 100% | 76% | 79% | 67% | 69% | 50% | 33% | 62% | 67% | 55% | 63% |
| Number of sperm doses / heifer | 1,5 | 2 | 1,4 | 1,57 | 1,28 | 1,20 | 1,23 | 1,64 | 2,8 | 1,4 | 1,4 | 1,63 | 1,47 |
This farm became part of “Moloko Vitchyzny” LLC in December 2018, it had 400 fodder cows, although the capacity is designed for 920. When it came to increasing the number of livestock, decided to do with the own young. During the year, the herd was increased by 200 heads at the expense of the own heifers and by the end of 2020 the plan is to have 920 cows. We refused to buy repair animals because we had a sufficient number of heifers, obtained from insemination with sexed semen.
Advantages of using semen distributed by sex
1 – Increase genetically qualitative animals in the herd.
Due to purposeful selection and breeding work in 2019, the average productivity of the herd was 11 440 kg of milk per year. To determine which animals will be inseminated with sexed semen, analyzed the productivity of the herd. The results showed that 50% of animals are able to improve milk productivity, so we definitely need heifers from them. 30% of the animals had productivity at the level of the productivity of our herd, so their daughters will also be good cows. 10% of cows had low productivity and another 10% – mixed breeds, from these animals it is desirable to get bulls, fatten and sell.
2 – Increasing of culling of animals.
When you have enough young, it is possible to reject the worst animals at the growing stage due to low breeding value or health problems. Their potential can be assessed in the first weeks of life by genomic evaluation or during control weighings. If the heifer grows more slowly than others, it may not be worth introducing it to the herd.
You can set a goal to reject heifers that do not meet health requirements. For example, these may be animals that have twice suffered from respiratory or gastrointestinal disease. All information should be included in the herd management program to identify non-compliant heifers in the report at the end of the month.
When you introduce more heifers into the herd than you need, you have the opportunity to cull adult cows with low productivity, reproduction, chronically lame, with chronic mastitis, and so on.
3 – Ease of calving.
When heifers give birth to calves, calving is easier, which means fewer stillbirths (see Table 4). This is extremely important, as postpartum problems are associated with decreased productivity during lactation and increased length of service.
Due to purposeful selection and breeding work in 2019, the average productivity of the herd was 11 440 kg of milk per year. To determine which animals will be inseminated with sexed semen, analyzed the productivity of the herd. The results showed that 50% of animals are able to improve milk productivity, so we definitely need heifers from them. 30% of the animals had productivity at the level of the productivity of our herd, so their daughters will also be good cows. 10% of cows had low productivity and another 10% – mixed breeds, from these animals it is desirable to get bulls, fatten and sell.
2 – Increasing of culling of animals.
When you have enough young, it is possible to reject the worst animals at the growing stage due to low breeding value or health problems. Their potential can be assessed in the first weeks of life by genomic evaluation or during control weighings. If the heifer grows more slowly than others, it may not be worth introducing it to the herd.
You can set a goal to reject heifers that do not meet health requirements. For example, these may be animals that have twice suffered from respiratory or gastrointestinal disease. All information should be included in the herd management program to identify non-compliant heifers in the report at the end of the month.
When you introduce more heifers into the herd than you need, you have the opportunity to cull adult cows with low productivity, reproduction, chronically lame, with chronic mastitis, and so on.
3 – Ease of calving.
When heifers give birth to calves, calving is easier, which means fewer stillbirths (see Table 4). This is extremely important, as postpartum problems are associated with decreased productivity during lactation and increased length of service.
Influence of calf sex on stillbirth and severity of calving in heifers
| Heifers | ||
| Bulls |
4 – Increasing the herd through the own reproduction.
Undoubtedly, it is better to grow the repair young than to buy heifers. When you introduce your own heifer into the herd, you know very well how you raised it, how you fed it and what its potential is. At the same time, the biosecurity of the economy is not less important. Because it is unknown what you can bring with the purchased animals. These are always not only certain risks, but also unjustified costs.
5 – Additional income from the sale of heifers.
When you have a good reproduction using sexed sperm, you will get a reserve of heifers for sale. In a herd of 1 000 cows and 65% heifers, you will have about 15% of animals for sale – up to 150 heifers each year. The net profit from the sale of heifers will be from 10 thousand hryvnias.
Undoubtedly, it is better to grow the repair young than to buy heifers. When you introduce your own heifer into the herd, you know very well how you raised it, how you fed it and what its potential is. At the same time, the biosecurity of the economy is not less important. Because it is unknown what you can bring with the purchased animals. These are always not only certain risks, but also unjustified costs.
5 – Additional income from the sale of heifers.
When you have a good reproduction using sexed sperm, you will get a reserve of heifers for sale. In a herd of 1 000 cows and 65% heifers, you will have about 15% of animals for sale – up to 150 heifers each year. The net profit from the sale of heifers will be from 10 thousand hryvnias.
Disadvantages of using a sexed semen
Do not forget about the weak points of application of sexed semen.
First, fertility decreases by 10-15%, and the number of sperm doses per fertile insemination increases. This is especially true when you fertilize animals more than twice.
Second, sexed sperm is more expensive than normal. Although these investments will pay for themselves when you get a heifer.
Sexed semen does not forgive mistakes. When you start inseminating it, take into account all the factors: the conditions of the animal, feeding, time of work with it, the correct time of synchronization. Before using this genetic material, also analyze the level of reproduction of the herd. For example, the fertility rate of heifers should be at least 60% on traditional sperm.
The time of sperm introduction is extremely important. The lifespan of normal sperm in the genitals of a cow in desire is 24 hours, and that of sexed sperm is 14–20 hours. And spend no more than 5 minutes after thawing the sperm and until insemination.
First, fertility decreases by 10-15%, and the number of sperm doses per fertile insemination increases. This is especially true when you fertilize animals more than twice.
Second, sexed sperm is more expensive than normal. Although these investments will pay for themselves when you get a heifer.
Sexed semen does not forgive mistakes. When you start inseminating it, take into account all the factors: the conditions of the animal, feeding, time of work with it, the correct time of synchronization. Before using this genetic material, also analyze the level of reproduction of the herd. For example, the fertility rate of heifers should be at least 60% on traditional sperm.
The time of sperm introduction is extremely important. The lifespan of normal sperm in the genitals of a cow in desire is 24 hours, and that of sexed sperm is 14–20 hours. And spend no more than 5 minutes after thawing the sperm and until insemination.
Oleksandr Lysenko, Deputy General Director for Veterinary Medicine of “Moloko Vitchyzny” LLC»
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