Heifer shortage looms so Genetics Firm offers Holstein semen at Beef prices - Cowsmo

Heifer shortage looms so Genetics Firm offers Holstein semen at Beef prices

An acute shortage of replacement dairy heifers is looming if the use of beef sires instead of dairy to reduce costs goes too far for too long, according to Sterling Sires general manager Simon Gee.
“Many farmers will still remember that the Milk Marketing Boards used to publish precise percentages of dairy- and beef-breed semen inseminated by their AI technicians the previous month,” he says.

“Today, this level of accuracy is unavailable, but consistent commentary from genetics suppliers suggests that a huge swing to beef has taken place over recent months. Clearly, with short term costs savings in mind, this is understandable. But a consequence just around the corner is a shortage of first-calving heifers.”

To help avert this by competing with beef semen, the price of several dairy sires has been reduced markedly by Sterling Sires, some down to £3.50/straw. “Even at this price, the sires available include high PLI, high type and good all rounders,” explains Simon Gee.

“In addition to immediate cost savings, this gives farmers willing to speculate and buck the trend an opportunity to breed more cows to dairy sires at affordable costs and be in a position to sell high value surplus heifers in three years time.”

 

Details of a selection of bulls in this programme are available at http://bit.ly/1VKj2q9 or by telephone with a Sterling Sires breeding adviser on 01458 210270. The company will also be present at the UK Dairy Day in Telford on Wednesday 16th September.

 

 

 

Scroll to Top