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Archive for Sexed Semen

Discover the Visionary Legacy of David Eastman: Pioneering Innovation in Dairy Genetics

Friday, October 25th, 2024

Discover Dave Eastman’s transformative impact on dairy genetics. How did his strategic insight and innovation reshape the industry? Uncover his legacy today.

Dave Eastman’s strategic thinking and unwavering devotion have revolutionized the dairy genetics business, establishing unprecedented standards for innovation and quality. From humble origins on a family farm, Eastman rose to prominence in dairy breeding, pioneering genetic improvements and grooming the next generation of industry leaders. His emphasis on mentorship and collaboration has been a cornerstone of his success. Join us as we examine how his insight, passion, and values have influenced dairy genetics globally. Dave Eastman is to dairy genetics what pioneers were to exploration: a visionary mapping the unknown. 

The Humble Beginnings: Where Passion and Curiosity Were First Cultivated 

Dave Eastman, from Kinburn, Ontario, got his start in dairy genetics on his family’s farm. From an early age, he was involved in operating their 35-cow herd, learning directly about herd maintenance and the complexities of milking and feeding. His active participation in 4-H, a program that promotes agricultural knowledge and leadership skills among young people, significantly enhanced his early experience. Eastman thoroughly grasped animal husbandry via 4-H and became fascinated by the possible breeding advances. The combination of hands-on farm experience and the educational framework offered by 4-H sharpened Eastman’s early understanding and piqued his interest in dairy genetics. These formative experiences sparked a lifetime interest and pioneering career in dairy genetics. Eastman’s 4-H experience provided him with valuable agricultural skills and established a deep respect for the complex art of animal breeding, paving the way for his substantial contributions to dairy genetics. 

From Sales Rep to Visionary Leader: Dave Eastman’s Ascendance in Dairy Genetics

Dave Eastman’s professional path in the dairy genetics sector is one of ambition and vision. He started as a sales representative at Cormdale Genetics, where he swiftly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional grasp of the nuances of sales and genetics. His excellent insight was recognized, and he was promoted to National Sales Manager. In this job, Eastman was instrumental in growing the company’s reach throughout Canada, stressing the thorough recruiting and training of new salespeople and establishing a complete distributor network.

As the industry grew more globalized, Eastman’s strategic acumen proved invaluable. Cormdale Genetics, led by Albert Cormier and supported by Eastman’s vision, embraced the globalization of dairy genetics. This was a transformative moment, as they led activities that resulted in the first semen imports from Holland Genetics and other overseas sources. This was a watershed moment for the firm, paving the way for future endeavors.

Eastman made a daring move in 1999, co-founding GenerVations with Albert Cormier, and later bought the firm from him in 2004. This strategic decision was motivated by understanding the inherent instability in distributing semen from other firms, which increased the danger of losing product lines due to industry mergers and acquisitions. Eastman established GenerVations to develop a more reliable business strategy. In his early days, he faced tremendous hurdles, notably the unpredictable nature of young sires whose genetic potential was unknown until demonstrated. To overcome this, Eastman carefully used precision breeding procedures, drawing on his extensive understanding of pedigrees and genetic possibilities to gain a footing in the market. His resilience and determination in these challenges set the stage for his future success in the industry.

Champion: The Beacon in GenerVations’ Formative Years

The purchase and sample of Calbert-I HH Champion, one of the first bulls GenerVations introduced to the market, was a watershed point in their early history. He was born in August 1997 and was among the first few bulls sampled by GenerVations; soon after the company’s foundation, it proved to be a revolutionary hit. His tremendous popularity and excellent genetic quality catapulted the fledgling corporation into the limelight, establishing the groundwork for future success. Champion’s influence provided financial stability, allowing for the employment of additional employees, increased marketing activities, and the development of an extensive worldwide distribution network.

Another significant milestone was the development of SireLodge. This facility, purchased in Alberta, was intended to hold and gather the company’s bulls. It not only maintained a

consistent supply of semen but also met the demands of other AI firms worldwide, strengthening GenerVations’ market position. These methods and accomplishments represented a larger vision of mastering their genetic destiny, giving a foundation for navigating the complicated environment of the dairy genetics sector.

Strategic Vision: Pioneering Genetic Milestones in Dave Eastman’s Career 

Vogue’s 1st purchase was the 35 brood-star Comestar Goldwyn Lilac VG-89 in 2006. She was nominated for All-Canadian, Canadian Cow of the Year & Global Impact Cow of the Year.

In dairy genetics, strategic forethought and decisive action may be the difference between success and failure. Dave Eastman’s time in this challenging sector has been distinguished by critical choices that have improved his operations and established standards for others. Acquiring top-tier females such as Lila Z demonstrates Eastman’s dedication to genetic excellence. Her offspring set the genetic foundation for future success, as seen by bulls like Farnear Delta-Lambda, whose exceptional performance can be linked to this intelligent purchase.

However, one of the most transformational aspects of Eastman’s strategic playbook was the early acceptance and introduction of sexed semen into North America. In collaboration with Cogent, Eastman led his firm into previously uncharted territory. This decision formed market needs rather than just aligning with them. He provided North American breeders with the first sexed semen, which opened up new pathways for genetic gain, improved the quality of herds worldwide, and ensured the long-term profitability of his projects.

These judgments demonstrate Eastman’s interpretative expertise and ability to anticipate more significant market ramifications. This insight increased organizational stability, positioned his companies as innovators, and cemented his status as an industry visionary. His efforts did more than adjust to changes in the field; they sparked alterations that others would ultimately replicate, leaving an enduring stamp on the landscape of dairy genetics. Eastman established a bar for genetic innovation while demonstrating the need for strategic planning to achieve long-term success.

Genomic Prowess: How Eastman’s Vision Transformed Breeding Dynamics at GenerVations 

Dave Eastman’s strategic use of genomic technology has been a revolutionary factor in improving GenerVations’ breeding operations, minimizing risks, and maintaining its competitive advantage. By incorporating genomic data into decision-making procedures, Eastman minimized the uncertainty associated with breeding, enabling early and precise identification of possible high-value genetic features. This foresight streamlined the selection process, ensuring that GenerVations regularly produced bulls with market-leading genetic value. As a result, this creative strategy increased the marketability of their services, assuring long-term high demand and cementing their position at the forefront of the dairy genetics business. Eastman’s innovative approach to breeding, using cutting-edge technology, has set a new standard in the industry and solidified his reputation as a visionary leader.

Forging Alliances: Dave Eastman’s Mastery of Strategic Partnerships in Dairy Genetics

The Vogue partners L-R: Len Vis, Dave Eastman, Sean O’Connor, Kelly O’Connor. The partners have bred Brewmaster, Epic, Lexor, Liquid Gold, Salt and Pepper, and more.

Strategic partnerships have the power to reshape the dairy genetics market, a concept Dave Eastman understood fundamentally. Eastman chose collaboration over costly competition when confronted with the challenge of competing against larger AI firms. This wisdom led to the creation of GMO (GenerVations, Maplewood, and O’Connor), a revolutionary alliance with top breeders like Len Vis of Maplewood and Sean and Kelly O’Connor of O’Connor Land and Cattle Co. This partnership offered GenerVations an unparalleled opportunity to tap into elite pedigrees typically inaccessible to smaller enterprises. By harnessing the strengths of its partners—Maplewood and the O’Connors in raising and developing livestock—each entity gained more than it could achieve alone. 

One of the collaboration’s hallmarks was its innovative branding strategy. The bulls carried the GenerVations prefix, while the female offspring bore the names of their partners’ herds. This mutually beneficial relationship elevated each partner’s standing while giving GenerVations greater control over breeding directions. After GenerVations’ sale in 2014, a strategic move was made to unify the branding under Vogue Cattle Co. By adopting advancements like polled genetics and the A2A2 trait, they stayed ahead of market demands and solidified their influence in dairy genetics. Although the original partnership concluded in 2021, its impact persists, showcasing how strategic alliances drive genetic innovation in the industry.

Strategic Exit: How Dave Eastman’s Sale of GenerVations Shaped the Future of Dairy Genetics

Several strategic considerations impacted Dave Eastman’s decision to sell GenerVations in 2014, demonstrating his excellent financial skills and insight in managing the difficulties of the dairy genetics market. At the heart of it all was GenerVations’ genomic bulls, which had become among the industry’s leading contributors to genetic development. Under Eastman’s leadership, GenerVations proved its capacity to lead the pack in genomic innovation, making it an appealing option for more prominent AI firms looking to expand their genetic portfolios.

Selling time was also an essential factor in the strategic decision-making process. Regular genomic testing began to level the playing field for genetic enterprises during this time. Eastman gained a competitive advantage by using GenerVations’ reputation for developing high-ranking bulls like Epic and securing a successful purchase. This decision was not just about capitalizing on present success but also about conserving the company’s past and ensuring its future effect inside a more extensive organization capable of increasing its reach.

The transaction had a varied influence on Eastman’s career. It enabled him to shift his emphasis to other projects and pursue novel paths in the industry, such as genomic testing  (Validity Genetic Testing )research and the continuous selling of exceptional bulls under Vogue (now Vector prefix). Furthermore, this change demonstrated Eastman’s versatility and dedication to pushing the frontiers of dairy genetics while providing him the stability to pursue his larger goal.

From the industry’s standpoint, selling to a well-established operator such as Select Sires enabled more worldwide access to GenerVations’ outstanding genetic resources. This integration emphasized the importance of intelligent breeding initiatives and the fast-changing genomic environment in propelling industrial growth. It also facilitated the global spread of high-quality genetic material, emphasizing the significance of innovative breeding strategies in improving dairy cow genetics.

Charting New Territories: Dave Eastman’s Visionary Approach to Polled and Homozygous Genetics

Dave Eastman’s continuous endeavors in dairy genetics, concentrating on polled and homozygous genetics, have resulted in substantial advances. Recognizing the growing demand for these features, Eastman carefully manages a portfolio of homozygous bulls for desired genes, guaranteeing that these traits are consistently transmitted to future generations. His strategy emphasizes meeting a significant industry need for high-producing cattle with these advantageous genetic traits.

Eastman’s dedication extends to marketing these high-quality bulls, which he tackled with increased zeal after the sale of GenerVations. He assures the bulls he promotes meet the highest genetic requirements using his vast industrial network and longtime contacts. This endeavor aims to sustain quality while pushing the frontiers of dairy genetics.

The bulls are kept at the cutting-edge ST facility in Listowel, where they are given the best care possible to reach their full genetic potential. The demand for sexed semen, primarily for export, has been robust, with Eastman’s bulls leading the way in supplying this need. As he continues contributing to the genetic enhancement of dairy cattle, Eastman’s diligent bull selection guarantees that they meet global market needs and stay at the forefront of genetic breakthroughs.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Family Support: Dave Eastman’s Path in Dairy Genetics

Dave Eastman’s path in the dairy genetics field was greatly influenced by the profound guidance he got, most notably from Albert. Albert’s inventive energy and commercial ability shaped Eastman into the visionary leader he is today. This mentoring gave Eastman strategic insights and the capacity to handle the complexity of foreign marketplaces, which were critical to his industry-changing breakthroughs.

Equally crucial was his family’s continuous support. They encouraged him to expand his horizons outside the family farm, develop a strong work ethic, and cultivate perseverance. Such solid support was critical to his quest for greatness.

Wendy, Eastman’s wife, was also a rock during tough times. Her support, particularly on critical occasions such as the launch of GenerVations and times of crisis, helped him stay focused and motivated. This emotional support enabled Eastman to accomplish his ambitious vision for the organization.

As a mentor, Eastman has been similarly committed to developing talent across the business. His inclusive mentoring philosophy emphasizes people skills and product expertise, providing opportunities for people from many backgrounds. This strategy has inspired many professions, creating a culture of creativity and devotion that benefits the industry. Andrew Hunt of The Bullvine got his start owing to Dave. While still an undergraduate and just getting into agricultural marketing, Eastman called Andrew and asked him to assist with the marketing of GenerVations as it began and continued through the Champion era, enabling both to build their businesses and establish themselves in the field.

Dave’s mentoring was received and offered, and his strong family support has left an everlasting mark on his legacy. This caring atmosphere fueled his career and prepared him to inspire and educate others, resulting in a progressive and dynamic dairy genetics landscape.

The Bottom Line

Dave Eastman’s career in the dairy genetics sector shows the power of strategic thinking and innovation. Eastman’s path, from his upbringing on the family farm to his transformational responsibilities at Cormdale Genetics and the pioneering founding of GenerVations, is distinguished by a visionary attitude that has continuously pushed limits. His strategic actions, such as applying genomic advancements and forming multinational collaborations, transformed genetic breeding, giving dairy farmers a global competitive advantage. Eastman’s current concentration on polled and homozygous genetics demonstrates his dedication to fulfilling changing business needs. His legacy, defined by a persistent commitment to quality and innovation, is a baseline for future advances in dairy genetics.

Reflecting on Eastman’s history, it’s a necessary time to explore how strategic vision may affect an industry’s future. What can we learn from his path to help you with your challenges? The discourse continues, and I welcome you to add your ideas and observations in the comments section below. Let’s talk about how innovation might generate success in dairy genetics together. Share this article with your coworkers to spark more extensive talks about this critical sector.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dave Eastman’s early experiences on a family farm and in 4-H were foundational to his lifelong engagement with the dairy industry.
  • His rise from a sales representative to a national leader in dairy genetics showcases his business acumen and strategic foresight.
  • Innovative strategies, including early adoption of genomics and groundbreaking partnerships, mark the success of GenerVations.
  • Eastman’s strategic decisions, like expanding into polled and homozygous genetics, underline his visionary approach to breeding innovation.
  • Mentorship and family support were crucial to Eastman’s success, highlighting the importance of personal relationships in professional growth.
  • His decision to sell GenerVations was strategic and timely, setting a precedent for strategic business exits in the industry.
  • Dave Eastman’s legacy in dairy genetics continues to evolve as he focuses on market-leading traits and genetic advancements.

Summary:

Dave Eastman is a visionary pioneer in the dairy genetics industry, transforming it with his relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. From his beginnings on a modest dairy farm in Kinburn, Ontario, he rose to Cormdale Genetics ranks, eventually co-founding GenerVations with Albert Cormier in 1999 and becoming its sole owner in 2004. Eastman introduced groundbreaking advancements like sexed semen, leveraged genomic technologies, and formed strategic partnerships to redefine dairy genetics. His acquisition of Calbert-I HH Champion brought financial stability and international growth. Choosing collaboration over costly competition, Eastman helped create GMO/Vogue (GenerVations, Maplewood, and O’Connor), an alliance with top breeders. His enduring legacy includes mentorship and a focus on polled and homozygous genetics, profoundly impacting the global dairy landscape.

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Ireland Achieves World’s Highest Sexed Semen Conception Rates

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024

Find out how Ireland reached the highest sexed semen conception rates worldwide. Get insights from NCBC CEO Doreen Corridan on how to breed dairy cows for better performance.

According to National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) CEO Doreen Corridan, Ireland has shockingly reached the highest sexed semen conception rates worldwide at 60%. She said this last Thursday at Portlaoise’s Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) conference.

“The advantage of the high fertility that’s natural in our current dairy herd at the moment is that we’re getting the highest conception rates worldwide with sexed semen,” she said.

Emphasizing Ireland’s dairy herd’s natural fertility, Corridan ranked the country above others with bovine reproductive performance. She also covered the critical ramifications for cattle control and environmentally friendly dairy operations.

Aiming not just at assuring a lifetime of exceptional performance but also at optimizing dairy cow breeding, Corridan’s speech centered on the urgent need to maximize immediate production. This all-encompassing strategy, underlined at the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) conference in Portlaoise, is crucial to creating a sustainable dairy business that harmonizes economic viability with efficiency and animal health.

One main benefit of Ireland’s dairy herd’s great fertility is the increased efficiency and production it offers for dairy producers. Ireland establishes a worldwide standard with the most excellent conception rates utilizing sexed semen, therefore promoting sustainability and economic growth. This increase in fertility guarantees a continuous supply of heifer calves, thus supporting the excellent genetic quality of the herd.

These successes have global relevance. Ireland’s developments in genetic selection and reproductive technologies are a worldwide model. The global dairy sector sees Ireland’s targeted breeding initiatives as a road map for better, more efficient dairy cows, which supports environmental and economic goals.

When examining Corridan’s idea for the future sustainable cow, economics takes center stage. A productive cow emphasizes the wise use of resources and helps the farmer maintain economic stability. Equally important is carbon efficiency, which fits the increasing requirement to reach environmental goals and reduce the dairy sector’s carbon footprint.

Profitability and labor efficiency go hand in hand as a cow that needs less intervention and management results in reduced running expenses and more simplicity of farm operations. Long lifespan and health are natural; a healthy cow lowers the frequency and cost of replacements, promoting long-term sustainability.

Furthermore, it is impossible to overestimate the ability to generate valuable calves. Whether these calves support the meat sector or replace the dairy herd, their inherent worth remains excellent. Farmers match market needs and improve general herd output by producing fewer male dairy calves and more valuable heifer and beef calves.

Although this technique meets the market’s needs and general herd output, it is still essential to underline the double value of dairy and beef calves. Heifer calves are precious to dairy producers as replacements so that their herds may be kept growing and improved. These heifer calves constitute a significant investment in the future of the dairy business because of their possible high milk output and better genetic features. On the other hand, beef calves taken from the dairy herd must also satisfy quality criteria if they are meant to keep or raise their market worth. This dual-focus approach emphasizes the crucial part sexed semen technology plays in fulfilling the many demands of contemporary cow farming, hence improving both the immediate and long-term output of dairy and beef enterprises.

Corridan underlined the importance of sexed semen use in Ireland and the fact that over thirty of the replacement herds now result from its application. Driven by the dual benefits of increasing heifer calves from genetically better cows and lowering undesired male calf numbers, this adoption rate marks a radical change in herd management. Farmers improve the genetic quality of their replacement heifers and solve urgent problems related to animal welfare and the carbon economy by carefully using sexed semen. Thus, this approach leads the front stage in contemporary cow breeding as it fits more general sustainability and profitability objectives in the dairy industry.

For dairy herd owners, the advantages of sexed semen go well beyond essential herd growth. Sexed semen helps farmers significantly speed genetic improvement by providing a better chance of heifer calves from higher Economic Breeding Index (EBI) cows. This emphasis on genetic quality implies that cows with higher milk output and efficiency will occupy ever more of the future herd. Often presenting management and market value issues, this deliberate breeding method dramatically lowers the number of male calves.

Moreover, lowering male calves directly helps to meet higher animal welfare criteria and significantly improves farm carbon footprint. Reducing the percentage of less desirable male dairy calves can help farmers better control their cattle numbers, lessen the environmental impact, and match their activities with sustainable objectives. Thus, the use of sexed semen is a vital driver of economic and environmental improvements within the dairy sector, thereby demonstrating its essential function in contemporary, ethical herd management.

From over 30% to a paltry 3% of the calf population, this decrease represents a radical change in dairy production methods. The significant decline in male dairy calves increases the total value obtained from the herd and helps to solve the problems related to controlling extra males. Dairy producers may concentrate on raising high-value heifer calves and improving their production methods as fewer male calves allow them. This strategy change so encourages more sustainable and effective herd management, thereby matching economic incentives with environmental needs.

Corridan claims they achieved a historic first in Irish dairy farming last year when meat from the dairy herd exceeded dairy calves for the first time. This change highlights the rising tendency of dairy producers to include beef output in their activities. From 2013 to present, “Beef from the dairy herd has doubled and makes over 65% of all beef output. Angus and Hereford breeds account for 85% of this rise,” she said.

This trend shows a notable change in herd management techniques, where the dual use of dairy cows is being fully appreciated. Dairy producers may generate a more substantial percentage of beef calves by using sexed semen and high fertility rates. Therefore satisfying market needs while maintaining lucrative and efficient operations. This deliberate change thereby diversifies revenue sources and advances environmentally friendly agricultural methods.

Finally, figures show a fantastic increase in beef coming from dairy herds. Comprising nearly 65% of all the meat produced, the count of beef calves from dairy cows has risen since 2013. With 85% of the beef calves coming from Angus and Hereford breeds, particularly highlighting the strategic integration of dairy and beef output to satisfy changing market needs effectively,

Key Takeaways:

  • Ireland leads globally in bovine sexed semen conception rates, highlighting the high fertility of its current dairy herd.
  • A sustainable cow of the future must be profitable, carbon efficient, labor efficient, healthy, and capable of producing valuable calves.
  • Approximately 30% of the replacement herd in Ireland is now sourced using sexed semen, significantly reducing male dairy calves.
  • The number of beef calves from the dairy herd has doubled since 2013, surpassing the number of dairy calves from the dairy herd last year.
  • Angus and Hereford beef calves account for 85% of the calves from the dairy herd, emphasizing their growing significance in the market.

Summary:

Ireland has the highest sexed semen conception rates globally, thanks to its natural fertility and focus on bovine reproductive performance. National Cattle Breeding Centre CEO Doreen Corridan highlighted the importance of cattle control and environmentally friendly dairy operations at the Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) conference. Ireland’s high fertility benefits dairy producers by increasing efficiency, promoting sustainability, and economic growth. This increase in fertility ensures a continuous supply of heifer calves, supporting the excellent genetic quality of the herd. Corridan’s idea for the future sustainable cow emphasizes economics, carbon efficiency, and long lifespan and health. Farmers can match market needs by producing fewer male dairy calves and more valuable heifer and beef calves. Over thirty replacement herds have been resulting from sexed semen use in Ireland, improving the genetic quality of replacement heifers and solving animal welfare and carbon economy problems. Corridan claims that meat from the dairy herd exceeded dairy calves for the first time in Irish dairy farming last year.

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The End of the Daughter Proven Sire Era

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Wednesday, March 5th, 2014

For almost sixty years dairy cattle breeders have relied on daughter proven sires to drive the industry forward. There was a time when over 70% of the genetic advancement depended on knowing which sires left the best daughters and using them extensively. However that era is fast coming to a close. The Bullvine sees changes in the not too distant future for both breeders and breeding companies, all of whom have built their business and breeding models around the daughter proven sire.

A Quick Look at History

Before the 1950’s unproven sires were the norm. Yes some of them may have had some limited daughter information but it was most often in a single herd and was actually just phenotypic observations (i.e. 12,500 lbs milk, 3.8%F, 5 VG & 10 GP daughters). A.I. was primarily a tool to get cows in calf without having to feed and handle a mature bull. Truth is that genetic progress, at that time, was only slightly above zero.  From the 1970’s onwards considerable progress was made, based on the use of proven sires. During that time breeders and breeding companies were more selective in which young sires were sampled, more herds were milk recorded and type classified, genetic evaluations used B.L.U.P. technologies (i.e. +1100 lbs milk, +0.25%F, PTAT +2.24) and high ranking total merit proven sires got extensive use.

New Technologies Will Turn the Tide

Now let’s deal with how new technologies will change the timing and accuracy of genetic decision making. Simply put ‘time waits for no one’ and ‘the future is in the hands of those that search out the new, decide and apply the best of the new”. That applies to all areas of dairy farming but just now let’s stick to the genetic component. Let’s focus on why daughter proven sires will become a thing of the past

Accurate and More Accurate

To date genomic genetic evaluation has resulted in a doubling of the accuracy of indexes for young animals. It will not stop there. With refined knowledge in the genome we can expect production indexes on young animals to go from 65-70% REL. to as high as 85-90%. in the next five years. As well with more on-farm data being captured and collected in Genetic Evaluation Centers we can expect the REL for productive life, type, health and fertility traits to approach 70-80%. Part of the increase in REL, from their current 50-65%, will come from more accurate field data and part from in-depth study of the genome. The end result will be that if total merit is known with 85% REL for young animals, then daughter proven bulls and older brood cows will not be used as the parents of the next generation. In short the pace of the trend of using younger and younger animals as the parents of the next generation will speed up even more.

Sexing Technology

Dairy cattle breeders are hearing that genomics is the biggest advancement in genetic improvement since the introduction of the proven sire.  Recent information on what’s ahead in sexing technology is on the brink of speeding up the rate of genetic gain. (Read more: Sexed Semen from Cool Technology to Smart Business Decision and SEXED SEMEN – At Your Service!) That does not even factor in epigenomics and nutrigenomics will hold out significant promise. (Read more: Forget Genomics – Epigenomics & Nutrigenomics are the Future) Proactive breeders will need to stay tuned to what’s ahead and be ready to adapt the breeding plans. (Read more: What’s the Plan?)

We know that young bulls do not produce large volumes of sperm per ejaculation as mature bulls do, so we’ll need to collect from extra young bulls but there will come a day when all young bull semen will be sexed. Having more young bulls being used will help to counteract inbreeding.

The changes could well go much further than that.  How much sexed semen will be needed in another fifteen years?  It could be that embryo and embryo transfer technology will advance to the stage that, once identified, the very top genetic ten to twelve month old heifers will have many oocytes collected and fertilized in vitro and then implanted into 99% of the females on a farm.

Of course exactly what will happen has yet to play out but we need to be prepared for major advances in the technologies relative to both genetics and reproduction. Regardless the use of daughter proven sires will be a thing of the past.

Maximum of 50,000 Doses Only

In the past superior proven bulls have remained active and in use well past ten years of age. They have produced, on average, 130,000 – 140,000 doses per year. In some cases they have sold more than one million doses of semen in their lifetime. Although profitable for their owners this extensive use has contributed to inbreeding and narrowing of the genetic base. The question that has always been asked ‘what do we do about too much Blackstar, Valiant or more recently Oman and Planet?’. We will not need to have that concern in the future as genetic progress will be so quick that the maximum a sire will get used in his lifetime is 50,000 doses. That does however change the value that any one sire will have. The industry savings on feed and maintenance costs beyond collecting 50,000, likely sexed, doses is significant considering the thousands of bulls that have been annually sampled around the world in the past.

It could be that 50,000 is far too high a number of doses. Take the case of Kulp-Dale Golden PP Red.  (Read more: $10,000 a dose Polled Semen and The 24 Polled Bulls Every Breeder Should Be Using To Accelerate the Genetic Gain in Their Herd) Five doses and $50,000 may be the numbers that will be attached to his contribution to changing the Holstein breed from horned to polled. Another factor to think about is that high genomically evaluated young sires are often used exclusively by breeding companies before general release and, when released, are priced at $200 to $1000 per dose. However after a few months their semen price is dropped to the $40 – $60 range. By the time they have been on the market for a year they are often down to less than $20. Why? Because their time of demand has passed. If the sire is no longer a list topper for at least one important trait he is history.

Alternatives Exist

A couple of months ago The Bullvine wrote about using all natural sires in a herd. (Read more: Natural Breeding – Could It Work For You?) These sires can quite easily have high genomic indexes. Think about it. A breeder focused on producing milk saving on labor to heat detect and inseminate his cows and heifers. Perhaps 10% of a herd’s labor cost could be saved. With robotic technology advancing quickly it could well be that the safety factor for workers by having yearling and two year old bulls around the farm may be minimized as there will be fewer workers to be exposed to the bulls. Definitely the need for daughter proven A.I. sires would be zero.

Are We Ready?

The pace of change is fast and will become faster. In a few years it could be that the only need for daughter proven sire information will be to check the accuracy of genomic indexes or to develop the formulae for indexing for new traits that breeders wish to include in their breeding programs. It could well be that breeders are more ready for the future than are some breeding co-ops and companies that have built their business model on having the vast majority of their revenue coming from daughter proven bulls. Having said that, progressive breeding companies are taking steps to control their costs and to specialize their product lines, including owning high ranking females. Daughter proven bulls will not be the focal point for those companies.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Having moved to daughter proven sires for accuracy and selection intensity reasons, we can now expect to see a move away from those sires for the reasons of speed of turning of generations and of having very accurate knowledge at the gene level. Anyone doubting these changes needs only to look at male selection in the plant, fish, poultry and pig industries. The downside for bull breeders is that their bulls will have less value. The upside for all other breeders is that they can continue to make rapid progress in breeding profitable healthy cows. Daughter proven sires were a major force in getting us to where we are but they will now be replaced by more advanced technology.

 

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Other posts you might like:

The Genomic Bubble Has Burst?
Casualties of the Genomic Wars – The End of Seed Stock Producers
What is the Role of a Dairy Cattle Breed Association?

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Sexed Semen from Cool Technology to Smart Business Decision

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Monday, February 10th, 2014

Sometimes we are guilty of overthinking things.  We talk about corrective mating, line breeding, and developing a distinct bloodline, when in reality nothing makes more dollars and cents than getting more female calves from your best cows.  No matter what your breeding or profit goals are, there is no question that you need to get  your cows back in calf for another lactation and have them  produce enough replacement heifers.  These are two top metrics every dairy must aim for.

There used to be a time when you could burn through young cows, but today’s modern dairy operation is dependent on getting the milking cows back in calf and preferably they will produce 3-4 heifers throughout the course of their lifetime.  I say heifers because recent analysis of 2,390,000 lactation records covering 1,490,000 cows found a clear pattern: Cows produce more milk for their daughters than their sons.  The sex of the first calf is particularly important and can influence how much milk production is generated in future lactations as well.  (Read more: Study Of 1.5 Million Cows Shows Daughters Get More Milk Than Sons) In fact the study found that cows that gestated back-to-back daughters produced as much as 1,000 pounds more milk than those that give birth to sons over the first two lactations.

The effect of sons and daughters on mum's milk production, across two lactations.

The effect of sons and daughters on mum’s milk production, across two lactations. S = son, D = daughter, numbers along x-axis indicate order of pregnancy. Credit: Hinde et al, 2014, PLOS ONE.

Think about this.  For example, this would make a bull thought of as a type sire, such as Regancrest Braxton, who has a PTAT of 3.70 and a  milk proof  of 1516 lbs. into a +2016 lbs. for Milk, when used on a cow that might have produced 2 daughters as compared to 2 sons.  That would rank Braxton among the top 200 proven sires for production (or the top 1% of the breed) and yet he has more than twice the type improvement values of those production sires.

So you say, “Sure that all sounds good, but how do you make it happen?”  Well the answer is pretty simple. “You use Sexed Semen.”  Now for those of you who have a negative opinion of sexed semen.  It probably comes is because you used sexed semen or recall the rumors in the early days when the conception was low, the reliability was poor and the price of semen was high.  In 2014 the reality is that all of the negative factors have changed significantly.  Over the past 10 years the technology behind sexed semen has changed drastically.  Juan Moreno, CEO of Sexing Technologies, (Read more: SEXING TECHNOLOGIES: Gender Vendors in a Changing Marketplace) shared the following stats at the recent Canadian Dairy Xpo (Watch the video here):

  • 1984 to 2000
    Purity Under 80%
    Low Fertility (below 50%)
    1000 doses of conventional semen would produce 200 doses of sexed semen.
  • 2002 to 2012
    85% Purity
    about 80% fertility rate of that of conventional.
    1000 doses of conventional semen would produce 400 doses of sexed semen.
  • Current
    93% Purity
    98% fertility rate of that of conventional.
    1000 doses of conventional semen can now produce 1100 doses of sexed semen.

From a breeder prospective, sexed semen has gone from a costly alternative to a probable alternative for selective situations, to a smart business decision.

One of the things driving the cost down as well is that the equipment that sorts the semen has gone from processing 200 sperm cells per hour to over 100X times that rate per hour.

The math is pretty simple.  In order to justify the extra cost of the semen, the added production alone would more than cover the cost.  And that does not even factor in the increased revenues from having more female calves.  For many breeders who are using sexed semen, they have also started breeding the bottom 10% to beef sires (Read more: Why you should get rid of the bottom 10%).  With beef cull calves in such demand, due to the shortage of beef cattle, the price for these calves has never been higher.  In fact for many herds these bottom 10% of seed stock calves have become a significant income source.  Especially when bred to be sexed male beef semen.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

There is no question that sexed semen has come a long way over the past 20 years and particularly in the last five.  Like most new technologies, it takes a period of time to perfect the science behind the cool new product, and help bring the cost of production down.  Today the cost of production of sexed semen is not nearly as high as it once.  As well, there is new data showing that cows that calve with two successive females produce up to 1,000 more lbs of milk in those 1st two lactations.  It’s clear that sexed semen is worth the investment.

 

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Other posts you might like:

AI in Dairy Nutrition: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities, and Envisioning the Future
GMOs: Beyond Right and Wrong
Herd Health, Management, Genetics and Pilot Projects: A Closer Look at ZOETIS

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SEXING TECHNOLOGIES: Gender Vendors in a Changing Marketplace

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Tuesday, September 24th, 2013

Predetermined sex in offspring is the brass ring that dairy breeders seek in managing in the ever more competitive marketplace. Most definitely this control is becoming more achievable.  Sexed semen end user price has dropped to one third of the price it was when it was first introduced.

Sexing Technologies (ST) is a well known, worldwide provider of sexed semen and embryos. Juan Moreno, who is co-owner of ST with Maurice Rosenstein, outlines the business that has been built by this company.

THE STORY BEHIND SEXED SORTED SEMEN

Sexing Technologies owes its origin to a company called Genetic Resources International (GRI) which got started 22 years ago as a Custom Semen and Embryo collection facility and Genetics Exporter servicing the Southern US.  While considering expansion into the IVF world 12 years ago.  They discovered that sexed semen, although technologically possible, was not commercially available because it was consider too expensive and of lower fertility and therefore did not have commercial viability. He outlines the steps taken in forming Sexing Technologies. “The partners in the business 11 years ago went heavily into debt to obtain a license from XY Inc., additional partners came into the business and Sexing Technologies started its commercial sexed semen production 10 years ago having Select Sires as its first large commercial customer.”

AT YOUR SERVICE: The Rising Tide of Technology

“Our philosophy is to generate value for the end user.” Explains COCEO Moreno, who is excited about the growing possibilities. “High genetic level bulls are available now. For example the #1 Proven Jersey bull in the world is available in sexed semen. There is every reason for the same to be available in Holsteins. Producers are using sexed semen in both heifers and cows.  Sexed semen has become part of modern management strategies on the farm.”  Today ST sexed semen is in every day use on thousands of farms (both beef and dairy) in 15 countries around the world confirms Sexing Technologies COCEO. “ It is being produced by more than 25 bull studs. Our production is estimated at 10 million straws annually and over 30 million calves have been born.”  The ST co-owner lists five of the many services it provides to breeder customers:

  • As a commercial service we are one of the largest exporters of dairy heifers having shipped over 40,000 animals in two years.
  • We offer custom semen collection services for both conventional and sexed semen and reproductive services in Embryo Transfer and IVF.
  • We process sexed semen in Deer, Elk, Sheep, Goats and soon in Horses and Pigs.
  • We service the industry by progeny testing Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss bulls.

SEXING TECHNOLOGIES – TEAMWORK and ADDED VALUE for EVERYBODY

Juan speaks with both pride and humility when sharing the growth of Sexing Technologies. “ Today more than 28 families have ownership in Sexing Technologies and the ST family team of over 500 men and women proudly services an industry that feeds the world. We are very thankful to our customers and to the ST team that has provided us with the support to improve the fertility of the product and reduce the cost to the end user.”  What he feels in unique about this undertaking is that the entire team has a common goal. “We believe in team effort and being part of an industry that includes, breeders, farmers, bull studs, breed associations, testing services, researchers and others, all working for a common effort of producing in milk, a nutritious quality product, at a fair price that the end consumer can enjoy.”

TECHNOLOGY and the SEX STARVED MARKETPLACE

Potential users of sexing technology are always hungry for advice from those who have experience. Moreno shares his viewpoint. “ The technology has changed dramatically, especially in the last 5 years. A considerable amount of resources and time has gone into developing new generations of equipment, changing procedures, media improvements and user awareness. For example in the last 5 years we have gone through 5 different new models of sperm sorters, each one an improvement on the previous one. Thus production efficiency has improved considerably and the end user has benefitted by seeing a significant price reduction in the cost for their sexed semen since ST introduced it in the market place 10 years ago.”

TECH TACTICS:  SELECTIVE SEX AND THE DAIRY FARM

It’s important to use sexed semen as part of an overall management strategy on the dairy farm.  It facilitates the allocation of resources by allowing for the selection of higher quality replacement females. It allows you to significantly reduce calving difficulties. It allows for greater income  by marketing extra heifers or even introducing cross breeding with beef bulls to produce a product of a higher value in the market and, most importantly,  fertility is improving.  We are expecting the publication of several articles on large trials ran by independent researchers in different countries corroborating the improved fertility. It’s time to use it for first service in cows.”

“What`s In It For Me?”

With any leading edge tool that requires adapting to change, breeders are concerned about how it can work for them. “That is a tough question.” Asserts Juan Moreno. “Markets are always changing and unpredictable. My crystal ball has failed me many times in the past. However, I do believe that many technologies are coming together at this point” As Moreno looks to the best impact of sexing technologies, he points out 3 specifically.

  1. Sexed semen can be used to generate female only embryos 99% of buyers don’t really care about having bulls. Only bull studs care about the bulls, most breeders would like to improve their female base. Making embryos with conventional semen makes 50% of the resulting product (bulls) non marketable. Produce for the 99% not the 1%.
  2. Genomic testing allows targeting embryo production for different niche makers like higher protein, A2 milk, Show, Polled, Color, Milk, Fertility or Net Merit or TPI.
  3. New Technologies will drive the market to the selection for traits such as fertility, health, feed efficiency, robot adaptability, etc.

DO THE IVF MATH

A full consideration of sexing technologies must not overlook InVitro Feriliaztion. Moreno provides particularly interesting statistics and suggestions for their use.

  1. 30% of the donors make 80% of the embryos. Don’t keep on trying with low embryo producers.
  2. make an assessment of the marketability or value within your own herd of the resulting offspring 24 months down the road. Don’t measure today expecting to forecast tomorrow.
  3. Producing 90%-95% females gives you a much better chance of maximizing your investment . Almost all females from top donors will have a place in your herd. Only 1% or less  of the bulls born will ever find a home. Therefore the investment does not compensate the return if you continue producing 50% bulls.

IVF PERSPECTIVE on ELITE

According to Juan Moreno, it’s not the technology that floods the market, it’s the users that choose to produce embryos from a higher number of donors. “I believe the success of IVF provides the opportunity to be more selective as to the genetic quality of donors being used. Technologies such as IVF provide the greatest benefit when used only on elite cattle. Maybe the excitement of Genomics has lead to a definition of “Elite” that is too relaxed.”

THINKING THROUGH IVF PROCESS:

Moreno suggests definite steps in using IVF. “First and foremost the genetic value of the animal today and a year down the road needs to be evaluated.  The statistical possibility of that donor generating an offspring that will have market viability 18 to 24 months down the road must also be forecasted. Secondly animals must go through a very thorough schedule of vaccinations and heath testing. Donors are then placed on optimized nutritional regimens based on age and reproductive status. Thirdly reproductive examinations and evaluations on the animal are performed prior to her start in the donor program and they are continued through her life as a donor. The most important fourth step is that the animal must be evaluated after the first three aspirations to determine her ability to produce sufficient number of oocytes and embryos to compensate the investment.” Moreno concludes with a key statistic. “Breeders must always keep in mind that 30% of the donors produce 80% of the embryos.”

IVF RESULTS

ST confirms that IVF results are influenced by breed, age of the donor, reproductive status of the donor, aspiration frequency, nutritional status and hormonal treatments. “We favor a more natural and conservative approach with no hormonal treatments. This approach benefits the long term well being of the animal. In Bos Indiscus breeds like Brahman we average over 7 embryos per aspiration and on Holstein cows  3.3 embryos per aspiration, dropping to 2.2 embryos in heifers. Embryo pregnancies depending on the time of the year range from 43% to 55%.”

IVF LABS and IMPROVEMENTS

ST has been doing IVF for more than 10 years and embryo transfer since the original company was created 20 years ago. ST operates 2 IVF labs in Brazil and 4 in the United States. Two of the US labs are operated as Research and Development laboratories which have been fundamental in testing procedures for sexed semen, leading to a series of improvements in the process that have lead to increased fertility in sexed semen.

CONTINUOUS GENETIC PROGRESS

“We dedicate a considerable amount of funds and resources to Research and Development in Animal Reproduction from heat detection devices, estrus synchronization technology, sexed semen, in vitro fertilization and genetic development programs.” reports Moreno adding that, “  A great deal of emphasis is being dedicated to genetic advancement programs researching new economically significant traits for which prior genetic pressure has not been applied.”

COMBINING TECHNOLOGIES CAN DELIVER EVEN BETTER RESULTS

Once again as breeders, we are being urged to recognized that putting different technology tools together can provide advantages that they couldn’t deliver alone. Moreno says the list is long on the technologies  and we should look at in combination. “Some of the technologies have been around for a long time but they will become more relevant in the future because, when paired with new technologies, they lead to greater value.  For example: Genomics, Embryo Transfer, IVF, Sexed Semen, Robot Milkers, compliance data systems, Universal Animal Identification, Gene identification , they all have to lead to milk being produced in a more efficient manner so that dairying can be a profitable business for generations to come.”

THE BULLVINE BOTTOM LINE

Technology is not a tool that you can choose to do without. As is always the case with technology driven evolution those who choose to ignore it may be ignoring their own sustainable business. Sexing Technologies is on the leading edge. At the end of the dairy day, those who readily and effectively adapt to the “new world” will succeed and those who don’t won’t!

 

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Other posts you might like:

Herd Health, Management, Genetics and Pilot Projects: A Closer Look at ZOETIS
The End of the Daughter Proven Sire Era
ABS Global vs. Sexing Technologies: It’s Just Business

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Semen Prices Are Never Too High

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Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Many cattle breeders may be under-spending on semen. They have the mistaken idea that not spending is providing savings. What they are failing to consider is that short term savings could be causing expenses in the longer term.  While the old adage “It takes money to make money.” seems cynical, there are times when it simply means there is good cause for loosening the purse strings.

Heifer Costs TODAY

A check of dairy heifer rearing costs for North America reveals a range between $1900 and $2200. For today’s discussion, let’s assume that that is the cost to produce an average proven sire daughter. It takes five doses of semen to get a heifer calf (including repeat services and a ratio of 50% bulls and 50% heifers). Therefore the cost to get a higher quality heifer is $ 2000 + 5 times the extra semen dose costs. That is the simple math and the simple answer is “Yes!” It costs more and the numbers could range, on average, from $25 to $50 extra per female bred per year.

What’s it WORTH to YOU?

It would be wonderful if you could dial in a one-size fits all answer to the complicated business of dairy cattle breeding. Since we can’t, we have to constantly analyze our business and the marketplace. Each dairy herd ultimately has to make semen buying decisions based on the answers to questions such as these ones:

  • Where are the genetics of your herd at today?
  • Where do you want your herd genetics to be in the future?
  • What financial or logistics issues affect your sire choices (i.e. herd size; availability of semen)?
  • What market are you targeting as your revenue stream (sales of milk, embryos or breeding stock?)

A Closer Look at SEMEN

Looking at recent economic studies we found that, on average, North American producers spend about 1.5% of their annual expenses on AI costs. On average that is $76 per cow per year and that does not include the on-farm labour costs for herds that inseminate their own animals. If, upon reading this, you are happy with where you fit in relation to the average, let’s remember “Being average today means that you will be behind tomorrow!”

At The Bullvine we are interested in which sires get used.  We obtained the semen price lists for six major North American AI studs.  Each organization has different product lines and their pricing strategies and customer focus groups also differ.

Our next study was to determine average semen prices, depending on a bull’s merit. For each organization we determined a weighted average semen price and compared categories of bulls to that average. The following chart shows how much extra you would have to spend on semen cost to get the targeted results. (See below)

What’s the DIFFERENCE?

Targeted Results Extra Semen Cost per Dose
Average Proven Sire on Price Listings $ 0
Sexed Semen  + $19
Proven Sires  
Over 2200 TPI and PTAT >2   or  2500 LPI and CONF >+10 + $22
Over 2000 TPI and PTAT >1 or  2000 LPI and  CONF >+5 $0
Other bulls -$21
Net Merit > +$600  + $10
Unproven Sires
Genomics        TPI > 2200 or LPI > +2500 + $ 18
Genomics        TPI < 1800 or LPI < +2000 –  $ 11
Net Merit > + $750 + $ 12

Since neither Red nor Polled Sires on the price lists covered the genetic merit ranges listed above, a comparison for those categories was not possible.

An increase of $20 per dose is one thing when you’re looking at a 40 cow herd but it becomes quite significant in a herd of 500 cows.  Is it a good investment or a worrisome expense?

What Is The Sexed Payback?

At the outset you have to accept that any payback from using sexed semen or will be three to four years down the road.  With sexed semen, although there is lower conception and therefore it requires more doses per pregnancy, you are 90% sure of getting a female.  Some breeders limit the use of sexed semen to their higher genetic merit animals. The payback is that they get more heifers from cow families they want to build from. Consider that 100 cows require an average of 30 replacements (a range form 20 to 40 dependent of herd).  Using sexed semen on your top 50 cows will cost an additional $2850 ($19 x 3 or $57 in semen per cow). Your savings will have been in not rearing heifers from lower end cows. Those low end heifers can be sold at birth, vealed, bred for beef calves or used as embryo recipients. If you save $250 per cow per year in rearing fewer calves and getting some income from low end heifers calves, you save $25,000 for every 100 cows in one year. Why isn’t everyone using sexed semen?  Simple answer: Sexed semen is not available on unproven or all top bulls.

Proven Semen: Show Me The Money?

The difference in semen cost between an average and top proven bull is $110 (5 x $22) per heifer calf. By selecting to solve herd problems (Read more – Fact vs. Fantasy: A Realistic Approach to Sire Selection and From Fantasy to Reality – Top Sires to Address Herd Culling Problems), here is what should you get for your money:

  • Less mastitis
  • Less feet problems
  • Less labour for calving problems
  • Less labour for health problems
  • Higher performance
  • Longer Productive Life

If you can save $250 per cow per year on these issues, you will net $14,000 per hundred cows.  So you have invested $11,000 to get $25,000 back.  A net of fourteen thousand is nothing to sneeze at. And, unlike with sexed semen, you should be able to target the bulls that provide the corrections that your herd needs.

You Could Get EVEN MORE MONEY.

There is a $29 difference (-$11 vs. +$18) between young sire with low genomics compared to one with high genomics. Here it gets into exactly which young sires you use. If you use the top ones, you reduce the risk of calving out the “dogs” from lower end genetic bulls. If it costs $2000 to raise a “dog” and she sells for $1500 (or less) you have lost $500 at the outset. On the other hand, the scenario of using the top genomics young bull produces a heifer with significantly more sale value than the $2000 cost to raise her. Using high genomics, you again have the potential for savings on mastitis, feet, calving and health problems. With genomic testing of your heifers, you also have the choice of not raising an animal that is undesirable for your target market. Granted there is an added cost of $45 but you potentially save on rearing costs, have parentage verified and you have a head start, if the numbers are high, of attracting interest from the marketplace.

Can You Bank On It?

Depending on your scenario, the opportunity to benefit from investing more dollars in semen can vary. Let`s look at different scenarios.

If you are heavily into ET and IVF, avoid sexed semen as it appears to give poor results.  You are going to have to make your money back from using non-sexed semen from the top sires and merchandising some progeny from them to cover the added costs and more bull calves. (Read more – $10,000 a dose polled semen and $750 Dollar Semen! Are you crazy?)

If you are milking 500 cows, you can use both sexed semen and semen from top proven and genomics sires. Your challenge is that you will have to manage more breeding events but your rewards are that you do not need as large a heifer herd around for replacements and the ones you do have will be of a higher quality.

If you are working with robotics, you may feel that semen isn`t a big issue that you are more concerned with cows that work within your system. However, you have already got the savings on labour and you can invest some of those dollars back into raising the genetic level of your herd. This could be a new revenue stream to assist your bottom-line. (Read more: Robotic Milking: More than just automation it’s a new style of herd management)

Low Cost Semen Actually Costs More Money

If, over several years of breeding, you consistently choose your semen based on low cost, you are not only falling behind the genetic curve but you are also not solving the problems that your herd has.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

The bottom line is that if you really want to move forward in today’s dairy breeding business, you’re going to have to invest money in semen! Lose the death grip on your wallet.

When the sires you use meet your on-farm needs, semen is never too expensive!! 


The Dairy Breeders No BS Guide to Genomics

 

Not sure what all this hype about genomics is all about?

Want to learn what it is and what it means to your breeding program?

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Other posts you might like:

Select Sires Unification – The Federation Grows Stronger
Charlie Will "A Career With Impact" - Select Sires 50th Anniversary
It's in her genes.....

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