Semen sales hit record highs in 2005 at Select Sires Inc., North America’s largest artificial insemination cooperative.
Sales exceeded 8.7 million units of dairy- and beef-breed semen, marking a 6 percent increase over 2004 and the top sales year in federation history.
International sales in 87 countries also pushed totals upward more than 9 percent over last year to approximately 1.9 million units, claiming the second-highest sales year on record for worldwide sales. Leading markets were Brazil, Argentina, Canada, United Kingdom and Italy.
"We’re proud of these record-breaking sales and the service our technicians and field staff provide for dairy and beef breeders," said David Thorbahn, general manager of Select Sires Inc. "We thank our customers for their confidence in the genetics and reproductive programs and services we offer that are the backbone of our success."
Holstein 7HO5708 Fustead Emory BLITZ-ET was the most popular sire sold in 2005 at nearly a quarter-million units distributed. Other Holstein high-sellers were 7HO5687 Sandy-Valley FORBIDDEN-ET and 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET, each with approximately 200,000 units sold. These three sires were also the best sellers at Select Sires in 2004.
Top sellers in the high-protein breeds were Jersey 9JE202 O.F. Barber ROCKET, Brown Swiss 7BS750 Hilltop Acres En DYNASTY ET*TM, Guernsey 7GU366 Trotacre Enhancer LEWIS-ET, and Ayrshire 9AY78 Visserdale HERMAN.
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.
