Sexed semen usage has been on an upward trajectory of the last number of years, with approximately 400,000 sexed semen straws used in 2025.

That is according to Teagasc, who also stated that there was 300,000 sexed semen straws used in 2024.

With a 400% increase in usage since 2021, the question remains, will you be using sexed semen in 2026?

Sexed semen

Teagasc dairy specialist, Stuart Childs hosted a webinar during the week titled 'Countdown to Breeding 2026' as part of Teagasc's dairy breeding week.

As part of the webinar, Teagasc's Dr. Stephen Butler spoke on maximising success with sexed semen.

Using adjusted figures to account for farmers nominating their best heifers for sexed semen, Butler highlighted the figures regarding pregnancy at first serve for both conventional and sexed semen over the past number of years.

Butler admitted that conventional is ahead, but said that 'the gap is relatively consistent and relatively small'.

He said that by utilising the right management techniques such as synchronisation, farms can have better success with sexed semen than conventional, with many herd owners already in that situation.

Butler also noted that sexed should only be used on the top 50% of the herd in terms of Economic Breeding Index (EBI), and that these cows should be showing strong signs of heat at the time of insemination while also achieving targets such as target weight.

Nominated cows should have a parity of 1 to 4, be in milk for at least 50 days at first service, have a body condition score (BCS) greater than 3, be cycling regularly, and have no health or fertility issues.

Heifers that are not meeting these criteria should not be considered as a good candidate for sexed semen.

Once you have chosen heifers that match these criteria, use a bull team that is appropriate to your herd size to mitigate genetic and fertility risks, and handle the sexed straws with the proper care.

Fixed time AI

When using tools such as fixed time artificial insemination (AI), Butler highlighted that any noncompliance with the protocols could completely askew the process.

He said it needs attention to detail and has to be done exactly right. If you miss an administration or have the timing of your dosing off, it will decimate the fertility of the heifer or even the entire herd within the programme.

He also warned farmers that products change year to year, and if the dose changes from a full dose to half a dose or visa versa, it may also affect the fertility, so farmers should speak to their vet when getting the products.

National Cattle Breeding Centre (NCBC) CEO, Dr. Doreen Corridan highlighted some of the problems AI technicians are reporting when it comes to fixed time AI.

She said issues such as labour availability and hygiene are often at the forefront, and advised farmers to be well prepared ahead of time, having staff on hand and putting the heifers into a clean dry shed.

Corridan also noted how crucial it is to use a 1.5 inch needle to ensure the GnRH is actually going into the muscle.

As well as that, the NCBC CEO noted that many farmers assume the CIDR has been lost by the cow if they cannot find it on the day of removal.

However, a lot of AI technician are reporting that they are finding them when it comes to insemination.

She reminded farmers to go out and look at their heifers, saying farms are watching the milking cows closely at this time of the year, yet the heifers often slip through the cracks, despite heifers often being the ones inseminated with sexed straws.

So if you do see that heifers are underweight now, you will still have a month for them to put on 30-45kg.