Latinos learning to love British semen

Following the opening of the doors to the UK earlier this year the first British semen has hit the South American country's shores thanks to UK Sire Services.

With more than 20m doses of semen imported into Brazil each year the country has the opportunity to be a major market for UK genetics, says the company's Rob Wills. "The consignment includes Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Devon, Hereford, Belted Galloway and Jersey semen. And its the beef breeds where there is a real chance for the UK to stake a claim.

"Currently most semen is imported from the USA where cattle are grain fed and hormone treated. However, Brazil's industry operates pasture-based systems more akin to the UK, so UK genetics should be better suited to their situation," he said.