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Frozen semen straws in liquid nitrogen.
A field trial using frozen sexed semen didn’t produce the desired results, says LIC.
LIC genetics business manager Greg Hamill says results mean the company recommends farmers use liquid sexed semen.
The blind trial in spring 2017 consisted of nearly 100 farmers and at least 12,000 straws -- sexed and conventional.
The results clearly showed a still substantial difference between sexed and conventional frozen semen: the sexed semen was, on average, 13.3 % down on non-return rates (NRR) compared to standard conventional straws. NRR refers to the proportion of cows not subsequently re-bred within a specified time after an insemination.
With getting cows in calf being one of the most important aspects of dairy farmers’ seasonal focus, the reproductive implications of a reduction in NRR by 13.3% is significant, says Hamill.
“These cows would remain in the dry paddock for at least three more weeks. The reduction in the reproductive performance among the herd may be too great for most farmers contemplating using frozen sexed semen.”
LIC ran the frozen sexed semen trial with Sexing Technologies, the only supplier of sexed semen in New Zealand, using multi-head technology that allows it to sort semen faster and up to four million cells per straw.
Hamill says improvements in the technology of sexing semen are well documented and there was a good deal of anticipation and excitement about what the trial results would show.
LIC had hoped to see the technological improvements reflected in better NRR for dairy farmers. Using sexed semen for breeding has advantages. For many years dairy farmers have been excited about the possibility of using sexed semen to drive genetic gain within their herds, says Hamill.
“This makes sense, because it enables farmer to get more heifer calves from their top performing animals.”
The above factors were key drivers behind LIC’s desire to participate in the trial with Sexing Technologies.”
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
The first calves of a new crossbred dairy-beef offering are now on the ground at a Pamu (Landcorp) farm near Taupo.
Academic and former Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt has been elected as LIC director.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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