UK REMAINS THE GLOBAL LEADER IN THE UPTAKE OF SEXED DAIRY SEMEN
Courtsey of AHDB News Release Thursday, 4 September 2025
The UK has once again confirmed its position as the global leader in the use of sexed dairy semen, with uptake now reaching 84% across all dairy breeds.
The latest survey of breeding companies shows sustained progress, with Holsteins continuing to show the highest uptake at 89% of semen used being sex sorted. AHDB data collected from April 2024 to March 2025 also shows a 1% increase in the use of beef semen compared to the previous year, now standing at 53%.
British Blue (42%) and Aberdeen Angus (38%) are still the most popular breeds used by dairy farmers. These trends present excellent opportunities for dairy farmers to selectively breed their most elite females for dairy replacements, helping to accelerate genetic progress within the national herd.
Tools such as our genomic evaluations and Herd Genetic Report allow farmers to easily identify their highest-performing females to breed from.
Dairy farmers now benefit from improved access to genetic information, enhanced mobile compatibility and a suite of new tools to support better-informed breeding decisions, all available on our new dairy genetics website.
The shift towards sexed and beef semen use is also having a direct impact on the beef supply chain, with a growing proportion of dairy-origin beef crosses entering the market.
These animals also benefit from improved dairy genetics, which are contributing to greater efficiency and environmental performance in their offspring.
Marco Winters, AHDB Head of Animal Genetics, said:
AHDB’s Marco Winters
“This continued growth in the use of sexed and beef semen reflects a shift among UK dairy farmers.
“By making more strategic breeding decisions, farmers are not only improving the genetics of their own herds but also contributing to a more efficient and sustainable supply chain across both dairy and beef sectors.”