A new research trial comparing sexed semen with conventional unsexed semen is set to go ahead in spring 2018.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands that a semen sorting machine is to be leased from Texas-based Sexing Technologies (ST) and installed into a facility owned by the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare.

Sexing Technologies staff are expected to arrive in Ireland in early March to set up the machine and run it for the duration of the trial.

Recent research trials from Germany and the US suggest the new sexed semen machine can deliver conception rates just 2% to 5% lower than conventional.

This is seen as a significant step forward and could have huge implications for the expanding dairy herd and beef production in Ireland.

It is understood that a minimum of 7,000 doses of frozen sexed semen will be compared with 7,000 doses of unsexed (conventional) semen on 250 farms across the country.

Funding for the trial consists of funds from dairy processors, meat companies and Dairy Levy funding.

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