The Economic Value of Using Sexed Semen for Heifers

Use of sexed semen is warranted when the conception rate of heifers with conventional semen is 57 % or higher and the conception rate with sexed semen is at least 60 % of that of the conventional semen (34.2%) The net present value of 1 or 2 sexed services outperforms the net present value of 3, 4, or 5 sexed services. Therefore, if sexed semen is to be used, then 1 or 2 services at most with sexed semen are recommended The most important factors on deciding the use of sexed semen are in order (relation with net present value): 1) the conception rate of sexed semen (+), 2) the conception rate of conventional semen (+) and 3) the cost of sexed semen (-). Economic factors such as discount rate, value of female and male calves, the daily raising costs of heifers, the slaughter value and the replacement costs exert only marginal influences into the net present value of using sexed semen. Due to a large variability on farm conditions, farm-specific analyses on the feasibility of sexed semen use are justified. An interactive online decision support tool has been created for such purpose