The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a deal has been done between the global leader in sexed semen Sexing Technologies and Teagasc Moorepark to potentially locate a sexed semen laboratory at Fermoy for 2022.

The move came as a surprise to some of the AI stations, but will be welcomed by farmers.

If confirmed, the deal will mean semen can be sexed here in Ireland rather than Irish bulls and/or semen travelling to be sexed in another country.

Previous research trials between Irish AI companies with Sexing Technologies (ST) concluded that logistically locating a laboratory in Ireland would be beneficial in terms of subsequent semen quality while improving the ability to sex elite sires, potentially using fresh rather than frozen semen.

Ongoing discussions

Discussions between ST and Irish companies have been ongoing for years since the sexed semen trials started in 2013, but nothing ever materialised. Up to now, we understand ST had been demanding a certain minimum level of activity with Ireland’s AI stations in order to commit resources to an Irish laboratory. It’s not clear what commitments, if any, have been given to ST by Irish AI stations. We know Dovea Genetics and Eurogene AI station currently work with ST to make sexed semen available to their clients.

The other global player in the sexed semen market is ABS Genus.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands a case was presented to Teagasc recently to get directly involved in bringing back ST to work in Ireland on a commercial basis.

The board advised the researchers to move ahead with plans with careful due diligence.

Teagasc director Gerry Boyle recently said he was committed to establishing a sexed semen laboratory in Ireland.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal this week, a spokesperson for ST said nothing has been signed just yet. Bernard Eivers, representing the National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) which includes Munster Bovine and Progressive Genetics, said he would welcome any developments and was willing to work with other stakeholders to make it happen.

Ger Ryan, general manager with Dovea Genetics, said he would prefer not to comment as there were ongoing discussions, but the board of Dovea Genetics was supportive of a sexing machine in Ireland for the 2022 season.