Sexed semen breeding programmes for the beef industry have primarily focused on developing genetically superior replacement heifers. “Male sexed semen is an opportunity to capture value. The opportunity’s greater when the price spread between oxen and heifers is significant,” says Dr Ken Odde, professor and department head emeritus of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at Kansas State University.
Since retiring from academia, Odde has focused on creating more profitability for his family’s commercial cow-calf ranch in South Dakota in the US.
“About six years ago, I was sitting at the sale barn in Mobridge, South Dakota, and the price spread between [oxen] and heifers just struck me that day,” says Odde.
From that ‘aha’ moment, Odde started to pursue what a sexed semen breeding programme could look like for his ranch.
He shares strategies and protocols to consider for success, including fertility differences between cows and heifers, the use of splittime or fixed-time artificial insemination (AI), and the value of using breeding indicator patches to measure oestrus intensity.
FAST FACTS
Dr Ken Odde analysed industry trends to determine the economic impact of breeding for more male cattle.
He says when there is a good price difference between oxen and heifers, using sexed semen can be profitable.
Breeding decisions can also based on oestrus intensity gathered via a breeding indicator patch.
VALUE OF BREEDING FOR BULLS
Before breeding with sexed semen, Odde looked back at industry trends to see the economic impact of breeding for more males.
This story is from the August 25, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 25, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
