Ireland now has a second sexed semen lab, which is based in the national cattle breeding centre (NCBC) lab in Naas, Co. Kildare.
This means that in the space of 12 months, Ireland has gone from having no sexed labs to having two.
NCBC is a joint venture between the two largest artificial insemination (AI) companies in Ireland; Progressive Genetics and Munster Bovine.
The existing NCBC lab in Naas was opened in 2015; the new sexed semen facility has just been added and is operated by Sexing Technologies.
Sexing Technologies also operates the sexed semen lab located in Teagasc Moorepark.
Sexed semen
Sources have revealed to Agriland that the sexed semen lab in the NCBC facility in Naas is now operational and producing sexed straws for NCBC.
It is understood that the lab had a number of early operational issues which have been resolved. The lab will now begin producing sexed straws for Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics customers.
This will likely increase the number of sexed straws available to Progressive Genetics and Munster Bovine customers in the upcoming breeding season.
In a subsequent statement to Agriland Brendan Scanlon, chief executive officer (CEO) of Progressive Genetics, said that he was “delighted” to have the new sexed laboratory based in Ireland at the NCBC facility.
“The new laboratory will play a significant role in satisfying the demand for the technology for the 2022/23 breeding season,” he said.
“We constantly strive to provide the very best genetics for our customers and maximise the genetic potential of our national herd.”
In the past, it was necessary for NCBC to export some bulls for sexing abroad. The new lab in Naas will now eliminate this need.
Also commenting on the announcement Dr. Doreen Corridan, CEO of Munster Bovine, believes that the move reinforces NCBC’s intent going forward.
“Our beef and dairy programmes have been hugely successful in delivering proven superior sires in an efficient and profitable manner,” Dr. Corridan said.
“We are excited to take this to the next level to meet the growing demands of our customers.”
Demand
The demand for sexed semen saw a strong uptake during the 2022 breeding season and this trend is likely to continue.
Many of the AI companies including Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics ran out of sexed straws early in the breeding season in 2022.
Most of the sexed straws were sold before the breeding season began on farms.
More and more dairy farmers are seeing the benefit of obtaining heifers from their best cows and then using beef sires on the remaining cows.
But while the selection of dairy sires is extremely important for the progression of your herd, it is also important that you select high value beef sires.
During the dry period, many farmers will begin the selection of bulls for breeding in 2023 and it may also be a good time to select beef sires for use on your cows.