Genus launches new sexed semen programme

Sexed semen fans now have the option of sourcing their genetics from another breeding company, following the launch earlier this week of Genus’ sexed semen programme, Heifer Choice.

With semen designed, as the name suggests, solely to be used on heifers, inseminations will be carried out by experienced Genus ABS technicians who routinely perform 5000 inseminations a year and are specifically trained to deal with the product to maximise conception and results.

“Sexed semen is a different product from conventional semen and therefore needs careful management, planning and preparation of both the animal and semen. We will provide information and advice on rearing and caring for heifers, so they will be in the best possible condition, ensuring they have the best chance of conceiving to Heifer Choice semen,” explained Genus ABS’ Hugh Ratcliffe earlier this week.

Sires selected for Heifer Choice semen have to meet strict criteria. They must be proven dairy sires, easy calving and scientifically proven to give the best possible chance of pregnancy, he added.

Frozen

“To ensure semen available through Heifer Choice is of the highest standard it is frozen by a revolutionary technique developed by Genus ABS, ‘wind tunnel’ freezing, to ensure the freezing process starts the moment semen is collected,” said Mr Ratcliffe.

Sires currently available through Heifer Choice include Roylane Jordan, Wesswodd-HC Mission, Langs-Twin B Dondee and Wa-Del Cashmere.

Meanwhile, Genus has also relaunched both its dairy and beef breeding programmes, the Cornerstone Breeding Club and the Beef Breeding Programme, respectively.

“Cornerstone represents the foundation of our genetic programmes and aims to produce bulls with at least 100 daughters in 60 herds,” said Mark Smith, ABS Global production development director.

On the beef front, reliability is the foundation of the Genus Beef Breeding Programme, with potential sires having to pass health and fertility tests before being selected to join the stud, explained Genus ABS’ UK beef director Neil Wharton.

“Once a bull has passed these tests he is used exclusively across UK dairy cows, ensuring beef sires attain the highest reliability with at least 200 progeny in 120 herds, he added.