Investigating The Economic Value Of Sex-Sorted Semen In South Africa: A Beef Cattle Example

Within the South African livestock sector, beef production in particular serves as the largest sub-sector emphasizing its prominence in contributing toward enhancing food security, economic growth and the livelihoods of citizens. However, beef cattle producers faces various obstacles which among other include relatively low calving rates that lead to decreased revenue obtained per calve within breeding herds. The utilisation of different breeding methods has been identified as one of the ways to overcome these obstacles. In this study, we have examined the cost difference of producing a calve using two different breeding methods in traditional AI and Sex-sorted AI. According to the farm calculation model, the utilisation of SSAI to breed replacement heifers poses great financial advantages for South African beef cattle producers. At various conception rates, obtaining a 1:9 bull calve to replacement heifer calve ratio through SSAI generates more income (R1 540) for beef cattle producer compared to traditional AI. The calculation model also indicates that using SSAI to breed bull calves for the feedlot market can be financially viable at optimal weaning weights. If South African cattle breeders aims to ensure reproductional and economic sustainability whithin their cattle herds, SSAI should be considered as an improved method of breeding.