Select Sires

Sexed-Semen Lab
Now in Operation at Select Sires

PLAIN CITY, Ohio, May 1, 2006 — Select Sires is pleased to announce that Sexing Technologies (ST), Navasota, Texas, has set up an operational semen-sexing laboratory at the federation’s Plain City, Ohio, facility. This partnership allows Select Sires to expand the number of highly proven sires offered with gender SELECTed™ semen in the Holstein, Jersey and Brown Swiss breeds.

"Select Sires is the A.I. leader in gender SELECTed semen research," says David Thorbahn, Select Sires' general manager. "Select Sires has more field research backing our sexed product than any other offered in North America. We’ve used full disclosure in making our actual findings available so dairy producers can make smart, informed decisions." He continues, "Select Sires is the experienced and responsible source for gender SELECTed semen."

In the 1980s, a breakthrough in semen-sexing technology was made by USDA researchers in Livermore, Calif., and Beltsville, Md. The patents for this technology were licensed to XY Inc., Fort Collins, Col., which performed a considerable amount of research during the 1990s to optimize efficiency of these sorting procedures. Commercialization of sexed semen in the United States has been initiated with a 2003 license granted to Sexing Technologies (ST), now providing highly skilled personnel to staff the new Ohio laboratory.

"Research has consistently proven this patented technology sex-sorts sperm with at least 90 percent purity," said Mel DeJarnette, Select Sires' senior reproduction specialist. "A major limitation to commercialization of this technology has been the compromised conception rates obtained with sexed semen, which typically run 70 to 75 percent of that achieved with conventional semen. Although this issue still exists, most producers that pay strict attention to the details of semen handling and timing of inseminations in well-managed virgin heifers have been quite pleased with the results. On-going research trials are investigating opportunities to improve conception rates with sexed semen and we are presently evaluating sexed semen use in lactating cows. However, until these studies are complete, Select Sires only recommends this product for use in virgin heifers. We’re excited to offer this cutting-edge technology to our customers and help them improve profitability by minimizing the number of unwanted bull-calf births," he said.

Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc., is North America’s largest A.I. organization and is comprised of 10 farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives. As the industry leader, it provides highly fertile semen as well as excellence in service and programs to achieve its basic objective of supplying dairy and beef producers with North America’s best genetics at a reasonable price.

™gender SELECTed semen is a trademark of Select Sires Inc.

Select Sires Inc., 11740 U.S. 42 North, Plain City, Ohio 43064 / Phone: (614) 873-4683 Fax: (614) 873-5751