Achieve success with sexed semen

Sexed semen carries a tremendous potential, but it also comes with a few challenges. If you elect to use it in your heifer program, Mike Overton, veterinarian at the University of Georgia, offers these tips to increase your odds of success:

• Only use it in virgin heifers. And remember, it is not recommended for use in timed-A.I. programs.
• Use the best semen-handling and placement practices possible. Warm up equipment to avoid cold shock; protect semen straws between thawing and placement, and avoid the use of spermicidal lubricants.
• Recruit your best-available technician to handle breeding duties with sexed semen.
• Make sure the heifer is truly cycling and in estrus prior to breeding.

1. New crop cottonseed market rallies in face of tight supplies
2. Corn and soybean prices continue to retrace 2012 drought rally
3. Ag markets generally mixed to start this week
4. USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program sign-up
5. South Dakota State University dairy faculty works With USAID
6. What are the drivers of profit in your dairy herd?

1. Class III futures close out quietly last week
2. D.C. Watch: Farm bill progressing
3. What are the drivers of profit in your dairy herd?
4. Weather report: Rain spreads across the Corn Belt
5. Ag markets were mixed to start the new week
6. Fire kills 17 calves at Idaho farm

1. Analysis: Dairy Security Act better for farmers, taxpayers
2. Commentary: Slanting the statistics
3. World food supply depends on character, virtuous leadership
4. Buffet concerned about soil and starvation
5. Cold spring stunts upper Midwest hay crop
6. N.M. rancher charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty