July 25, 2007

Australia's shortage on dairy cow increases single sex semen demand

The shortfall of dairy cows in Australian national herd has hoisted demand for single sex semen to an all-time high.

The semen is used in artificial insemination and has been treated to remove most of the male chromosomes to have a 90 percent chance of producing a female.

Brad Aitken, from 21st Century Genetics, higher milk prices and an improved outlook have inquiries jumped by four-fold.

He said the cheapest and quickest way to speed up the number of replacements in the herd is to use the single sex semen which could also translate to more profits in a period that milk is such an important commodity.