UK Leads in Adoption of Sexed Dairy Semen

The UK reaffirms its position as the global leader in the use of sexed dairy semen, with widespread adoption across all dairy breeds reaching 84%. In the industry's latest survey, Holsteins achieved the highest level of sex-sorted semen use at 89%.

Data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for April 2024 to March 2025 also indicates a 1% increase in beef semen use, now at 53%. The British Blue (42%) and Aberdeen Angus (38%) are the most favored among beef breeds for dairy farmers.

These advancements allow farmers to selectively breed their elite females, enhancing the national herd's genetic quality and accelerating genetic gains. AHDB supports these developments with tools like genomic evaluations and the Herd Genetic Report to aid farmers in identifying top-performing females.

The shift towards sexed and beef semen is restructuring the beef supply chain, with more dairy-origin beef crosses entering the market and improving genetic efficiency and environmental performance.

Marco Winters, AHDB's Head of Animal Genetics, remarks: "This continued growth in the use of sexed and beef semen reflects a shift among UK dairy farmers. By making more strategic breeding decisions, farmers are not only improving the genetics of their herds but also contributing to a more efficient and sustainable supply chain across both dairy and beef sectors."