Economics of timed artificial insemination with unsorted or sexed semen in a high-producing, pasture-based dairy production system

This study used a stochastic simulation model to estimate the potential economic benefit of using timed artificial insemination (TAI) in combination with conventional unsorted (TCONV) and sexed (TSEX) semen in heifers only (TCONV-H, TSEX-H) and in both heifers and lactating cows (TCONV-HC, TSEXHC) in a high-producing, pasture-based production system. The scenarios were compared with a conventional reproductive policy (CONV) in which heifers and cows were inseminated with conventional unsorted semen after estrus detection. Sensitivity analysis was also used to estimate the effect of hormone costs from TAI use on the profitability of each program relative to CONV. The mean annual (+/- standard deviation) profit advantage (Delta PROF) over CONV for TCONV-H, TCONV-HC, TSEX-H, and TSEX-HC scenarios were Euro3.90/cow +/- 4.65, (sic)34.11/cow +/- 25.69, (sic)13.96/cow +/- 6.83, and (sic)41.52/cow +/- 42.86, respectively. Combined application of both technologies was shown to return a greater annual Delta PROF on average compared with that achievable from TAI alone. However, the risk of not returning a positive annual PROF varied across the scenarios with higher risk in TCONV-H and TSEXHC. Specifically, TCONV-H and TSEX-HC had a 24 and 18% chance, respectively, of not returning a positive annual Delta PROF. Sensitivity analysis showed that when hormone costs increased by (sic)10/cow TCONV-H and TSEX-HC had a 38 and 23% chance, respectively, of not returning a positive annual PROF. The range in PROF for TCONV policies was most sensitive to the TAI pregnancy rate and TSEX policies were most sensitive to the relative fertility achieved with sexed compared with unsorted semen. This study has shown TAI and sexed semen are complementary technologies that can increase genetic gain and profitability in a pasture-based, dairy production system.

Automated summary

This study used a stochastic simulation model to estimate the potential economic benefit of using timed artificial insemination (TAI) in combination with conventional unsorted and sexed semen in a high-producing, pasture-based production system. The study found that TAI and sexed semen are complementary technologies that can increase genetic gain and profitability in a dairy production system.