Excel with Sexcel and Estrotect

April 17th, 2020
News

As reproductive technology has improved, so have the efficiencies of artificial insemination (AI) with sexed semen. Prior to these enhancements, sexed semen was not ideally suited for beef producers who rely heavily on timed AI synchronization programs. Today that has changed.

“Sexed semen is a powerful technology,” says Ky Pohler, assistant professor of beef cattle production and reproductive physiology at Texas A&M University. “It can change the way a herd operates from a genetic decision-making and management standpoint.”

ABS Global’s Sexcel^TM sexed genetics product features the most advanced technology available on the market. Sexcel is produced using new methods and technology, offering you new possibilities to advance your herd’s genetics with sexed semen.

Better Calves

“Many matings today are focused on maternal traits,” says Todd Sears, beef sales director at ABS. “But, there’s a better way to make replacements while breeding for more terminal traits in the rest of the herd to maximize total herd profitability.”

Using Sexcel sexed semen, you an breed a portion of your herd via timed AI to product replacement females. Then, you breed the other portion of the herd via times AI with conventional semen, focused on terminal traits. You can also use clean-up bulls for terminal genetics.

The Sexcel 60/40 Synch program outlines this protocol more in depth and uses Estrotect^TM Breeding Indicators for estrus detection. The Estrotect patches are used to determine when females are expressing estrus with high intensity via visually patch scoring the amount of surface ink that has rubbed off.

Matings for the Sexcel 60/40 Synch innovative protocol break down as follows:

60% of females displaying estrus with activated Estrotect Breeding Indicators are AI’ed with Sexcel semen from maternal sires.
40% of females not sowing estrus or with lower estrus intensity (determined via Breeding Indicator scoring) are bred to terminal sires from conventional semen.
Following the timed AI protocol, use clean-up bulls with terminal traits to breed the remaining females.

For a producer with 100 cows, the Sexcel 60/40 Synch creates around 25 replacement heifers born within a tight calving window. The remaining 75 head of terminally influenced calves can have genetics for increased weaning weights, resulting in a better payout when marketing directly off the farm or ranch. If retained ownership is an option, those terminally influenced calves could also have genetics focused on performance in the feedlot and on the packing rail.

“We can see $50-100 differences from a terminal index between bulls,” says Sears. “The ability to focus mating for maternal traits and then utilize the more terminal matings on later-born calves helps add more value to all calves.”

Another option with Sexcel 60/40 Synch maximizes the amount of maternal-focused genetics through, creating a more substantial replacement heifer pool to select from. That protocol is as follows:

60% of females displaying estrus with activated Estrotect Breeding Indicators are AI’ed with Sexcel semen from maternal sires.
40% of females not sowing estrus or with lower estrus intensity (determined via Breeding Indicator scoring) are bred to terminal sires from conventional semen.
Following the timed AI protocol, expose females to clean-up bulls with terminal traits.

Results for a 100-head cow herd would produce about 35 heifers with maternal characteristics to choose from. While there would be about 10 steers with maternal-focused traits, the remaining balance of approximately 55 steers and heifers have terminal characteristics.

Ultimately, the decision on which protocol you choose is dependent upon your need for replacement heifers, Sears adds.

Scoring Higher Conception

Combining the Sexcel 60/40 Synch program with Estrtoect Breeding Indicators has helped sexed semen achieve conception rates neat conventional semen. Research by South Dakota State University showed that breeding females with fully activated Estrotect Breeding Indicators to Sexcel semen resulted in 65% conception rates compared to 73% for conventional semen.

Breeding cows and heifers when they have expressed estrus with high intensity is key to improving conception rates in any AI program.

“For many years, we’ve observed that females with increased estrus intensity have higher fertility,” Says Pohler. “Using timed AI, sexed semen and an Estrotect Breeding Indicator together allows us to work behind the cow to make a smart, effective breeding decision in conjunction with times breeding.”

Estrotect Breeding Indicators feature a Breeding Bullseye^TM which helps quantify estrus intensity. Estrus intensity is determined by patch scoring. Patch scores are on a 1-5 scales based on the amount of surface patch color that has rubbed off:

Patch score 1 = less than 25% ink rubbed off
Patch score 2 = less than 50% ink rubbed off
Patch score 3 = greater than 50% ink rubbed off
Patch score 4 = greater than 75% ink rubbed off
Patch score 5 = 100% ink rubbed off

Sexcel^TM Beef Trial at SDSU

Conception Rates	Timed AI	Fully Activated Patch	Partially Activated Patch	Un-activated Patch
Overall		69%	65%	45%
Sexcel	52%	65%	59%	33%
Conventional	67%	73%	72%	56%
Relative	78%	89%	82%	59%

When the Breeding Bullseye or equivalent surface area has rubbed off, the patch score is 3-5, meaning the female is at or near peak estrus intensity. High-scoring cows and heifers are perfect candidates to breed with Secel semen because they have the highest chance of a successful pregnancy. If a surface area less than the Breeding Bullseye hasn’t rubbed off (scores ½), those animals are at low estrus intensity or no estrus expression and can be bred to conventional semen.

By breeding cows with timed AI and quantifying estrus intensity through patch scoring, the odds of successful matings increase.

“Sexcel 60/40 Synch uses existing technology to push for higher reproduction results with genetic improvement, both terminally and maternally,” says Sears.

Sears and Pohler only recommend using the Sexcel program once you’re comfortable with breeding via AI, so you’re familiar with the management required.

Ask your local ABS representative about the Sexcel 60/40 Synch program.

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