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Graham and Alan with some of the results of their Sexed Semen breeding programme

COGENT Sexed Semen plays a significant roll in the management of the Sanders family Holstein herd at Higher Landazzard Farm, Liskeard, Cornwall.

Graham, in partnership with his parents, Alan and Cynthia, and sister Nicola, operate a commercially based system of 185 Holstein cows producing an average of 7,500kgs fed on grass silage.

Graham Sanders said: "Having to shoot Holstein bull calves that are worth nothing from conventional semen doesn't add up in my books! Originally, we heard mixed reports on the success rates of sexed semen so I wanted to find out the truth for myself. In 2005 we started out using 50 straws of sexed Principal with an electric thawing kit!"

Being extra careful and vigilant, Graham makes sure that all the recommended guidelines are kept and step by step instructions are followed.

"With sexed semen being more valuable than conventional semen being careless can work out expensive! All heifers are served in a crush with each straw thawed one at a time at 37C for 40 seconds."

The results speak for themselves. In 2005 the conception rate was 59% to first service with 93% heifer calves born. In 2006, the conception rate rose to 64% to first service with 54 heifer calves born.

Herd fertility is at the top of the Sanders breeding plan and the use of Sexed Semen is helping to meet their goals. The reduction of the number of difficult calvings is evident, heifers get going quicker into their lactations and also returning to cycle, hence tightening up the calving pattern.

Cows not inseminated to Sexed Semen are AI to Aberdeen Angus Charolais and Simmental beef bulls. Calf value is part of the output of the dairy and producing beef crosses, rather than black and white, makes an important contribution to farm income. Approximately 50 bulls are turned into beef every year.

"Today we are in the fortunate position of having the choice of expanding or selling heifers. With TB restrictions and big shortages of cattle on the ground, it's never been a better time to have so many heifers! I can't understand why more people don't use it!"

Cogent Breeding advisor Chris Horton said Sexed Semen offers advantages over conventional semen - increasing herd size, minimising herd replacement costs, speeding up genetic progress, a reduction in disease risk by self-breeding replacements, and increased herd fertility by reduction in calving problems.

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