Farmers are beginning to breed more balanced cows rather than extreme types, according to various breeding companies at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.
Speaking to Farmers Weekly, managing director of Semex UK, Gordon Miller, said there had been a move away from more extreme types, with farmers looking to breed cows that pay. "Farmers have realised that balanced cows last longer in the herd and are more economical to keep," he said.
He also said the company had seen growing sales in sexed semen, something he believed was due to increased confidence in the sexing process.
"The fertility of sexed semen has got a lot better and there are also a lot more bulls and better bulls available in sexed semen. Conception rates are about 75-80% of that of conventional semen."
Genus vet John Cook also reported continuing trends for selecting bulls for management traits such as lifespan, cell count and fertility rather than just milk yield. He also said sexed semen sales were increasing 5-10% every year.
Edward Lewis, business development manager for Cogent, said while they had seen farmers looking for better management traits, they had also seen more farmers looking at crossbreeding.
"The trend in grass growing areas and lower input systems is to cross breed. However, it's important farmers thinking about crossbreeding don't do it on a whim. Every farm is different and has different challenges, so taking a considered approach is important."
dairytech