It’s no secret: Cattle numbers are down, and the pressure is on.
According to the January 2025 USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Cattle report, the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest point since the early 1960s.
This marks six straight years of contraction, driven by high input costs, persistent drought and fluctuating cattle prices, challenges that directly impact cow-calf producer profitability (Figure 1).
Although many believe the trend is going to neutralize and even begin to turn directions, in the immediate, forward-thinking producers ask the question: What can we do to reverse the trend, both in our own herds and across the industry?
Fortunately, there are tools available right now that can put your herd back on the growth path. One of the most powerful tools is sexed semen.
Why consider sexed semen?
Many progressive herds use artificial insemination (A.I.) to accelerate genetic improvement, but few have taken the next step: using sexed (gender-sorted) semen to strategically influence the makeup of their calf crop. With today’s shrinking cow population and demand for quality replacements, this tool deserves a place in your breeding plan.
Whether you’re aiming to build your herd with high-quality replacement females or increase the number of terminal steer calves, sexed semen gives you more control.
- Female-sorted semen allows you to concentrate replacement efforts on your best genetics, applying more selection pressure on the dam side. This results in a higher percentage of top-end heifers entering the herd, which is ideal for growth or expansion.
- Male-sorted semen is a smart strategy to capitalize on terminal premiums by producing more high-value steer calves.
- Thanks to advancements in technology, today’s sorted semen is highly accurate, producing 90% of the desired gender with excellent fertility, purity and conception rates compared to earlier generations.
Where to start: Planning with purpose
Start by defining your goals. Do you want more females for replacements or more males for terminal markets? Either way, knowing your numbers helps you make smart, strategic decisions.
Figure 2 illustrates a basic planning tool to estimate the impact of using conventional versus sexed semen.
Best practices for success with sexed semen
Once you have decided to use sexed semen, your success comes down to smart management. Keep these tips in mind:
- Only consider sexed semen if your A.I. conception rates with conventional semen are 60% or higher.
- Use only on healthy, cycling females in good body condition.
- Mature, cycling beef cows are excellent candidates.
- Inseminate only animals observed in heat.
- Ensure insemination is performed by experienced, proven A.I. technicians.
- Handle semen with care, as thawing and handling procedures are critical.
- Stay up to date with the latest research and recommendations from your A.I. provider.
Teamwork makes the plan work
Work closely with your genetics provider and herd veterinarian to develop and execute a targeted reproductive plan. The Beef Reproduction Task Force offers helpful tools and recommended protocols for using sexed semen effectively.
With the right strategy and support team in place, sexed semen can be a powerful lever to grow your herd, strengthen your genetics and make your operation more resilient, now and into the future.
