Increasing global trend for beef on dairy bulls
A significant increase in the use of beef on dairy bulls is apparent all over the world. In the US, the number of straws of beef on dairy bulls has risen by millions each year and continues to increase. The use of beef on dairy bulls in the Netherlands has also grown from 9% to almost 27% in the last ten years. And there seems to be no end in sight for this trend yet.
Leading in Belgian Blue beef on dairy
Beef on dairy bulls have always been popular at K.I.Samen. We have been expanding our range of Belgian Blue beef on dairy bulls over the past 25 years and currently offer more than 25 different BB sires in our webshop. We operate the largest breeding programme for BB beef on dairy bulls in the Netherlands and test two to four young bulls each year. The success of our programme is thanks to our focus on calving ease and short gestation times. Our wide range offers farmers a choice of bulls that bring calving ease and short gestation times. The number one Belgian Blue bull in the Netherlands is owned by K.I. Samen.
Advantages of sexed semen
Using sexed semen has also contributed to the popularity of beef on dairy bulls. Sex semen enables more cows to be inseminated with beef on dairy bulls. This has two advantages. The calves are immediately worth more and the number of wanted calves is reduced. Using male sexed semen to produce calves also delivers benefits as males calves command a higher price than female calves.
Trimix semen
K.I. Samen was also the first AI station to launch mixed semen on the Dutch market: Trimix semen. This mixed semen contains semen from three different bulls, all known for their good calving ease. The advantage of Trimix semen is that it creates competition between the sperm cells, which increases the chances of successful insemination and conception. To obtain the best results, it is important to inseminate with Trimix sperm a little later in the cycle. K.I. Samen offers various combinations of Trimix semen, ranging from lighter to more heavily muscled bulls, all with similar calving ease.
