Income over Investment in Semen

Methodology was developed for assessing differences between sires in artificial insemination in net worth to a dairyman taking into account: a) sire's genetic merit, b) semen cost per first service, c) conception rate of service sire, d) price of milk per kilogram, e) rate of calf management of the dairyman, f) discount rate, and g) number of years of discounting. Equations to predict differences between sires in return over investment and percent return on investment for heifer sales and milking cows were developed for technician service and direct service. Sire's genetic merit, cost per first service, and conception rate of sire were the most useful predictors of differences between sires in economic return. Each 100 kg of milk in a sire's proof is worth no more than $3.30 per first service or a .18 and .14 increase in conception rate for technician service and direct service, respectively. Expressions relating value of conception rate of service sire to cost of semen and sire's milk superiority indicate direct service is more sensitive to conception rate than technician service.