Dovea Genetics has seen brisk demand for sexed semen this year compared to last year, with dairy farmers ordering their straws good and early to avoid disappointment.

Dovea Genetics general manager Ger Ryan said: “Sales are well up relative to last year and people were anxious to get them ordered early. The introduction of sexed semen is a positive for the whole industry.”

Ryan added that the Tipperary AI company, based outside Thurles, also saw an increased interest in dairy-beef. “Short-gestation, easy-calving bulls are what they want,” he said.

Munster Bovine said that overall sales at this point in the season are ahead, with 75% more straws of sexed semen sold compared to last year.

“The top sexed bulls are selling out fast and farmers understand that early ordering is crucial,” said sales and advisory manager John Tobin.

Head of the AI technicians at Progressive Genetics Seamus Hughes said that sexed semen has increased by 60-80% from last year.

“It’s still relatively small in comparison to ordinary semen but it’s still a significant increase on last year,” he said.

Hughes also said he noticed an increased use of synchronisation programmes in heifers.

“Another thing that has changed in the last four or five years is that our heifers are more fertile and they’re performing far better on synchronisation programmes than they have before,” he said.

While Hughes said there is an increase in sexed semen use and dairy beef, Progressive Genetics has seen a decrease in dairy AI overall.

He added that the Glanbia “semi-quota” and price of inputs have “dampened sentiment”.

Manager of Eurogene, Tom Baker, is also seeing similar trends, with a particular increase in the use of sexed semen with dairy beef.

“There has been a noticeable swing in the use of sexed semen.

“I think it’s the right way to go and it was inevitable really. We’ve seen it happen in other countries. Farmers can get their replacements from their best cows now and they seem to be using less Friesian and more beef.”