The next level of sophistication in herds that use artificial insemination (AI) is the selective use of gender-sorted semen. Dairy producers have experienced the benefits of limiting male calf production as males have little value. Justin Rhinehart with the University of Tennessee Extension, discusses the advantages and challenges of using gender-sorted technology in building the beef herd.
Source: High Plains Journal, February 15, 2016.
If the beef industry continues to see market drivers for expansion, gender-sorted semen could play a role in accelerating it. As this technology enters a phase of more rapid improvements in fertility, the timing could work well for the industry. But the fact remains that even conventional AI is underutilized (relative to its potential impact) in beef cattle production. Consequently, gender-sorted semen might be more useful as a tool to improve the overall genetic quality of the expanding national herd than it will be for more rapidly increasing the sheer number of heifers available for retention.