After two years of declining sales, the bovine semen industry is experiencing a strong resurgence. Both dairy and beef semen sectors report increased sales in 2024, with projections potentially surpassing the record levels of 2021.
Market Growth and Performance
Total unit sales rose by 4% to nearly 69 million units, recovering much of the prior year’s decline. Export value increased by over 6%, reaching a record $326 million.
Dairy and Beef Sector Trends
Dairy semen sales grew 4% to 48.8 million units, while beef semen sales also rose 4% to 20 million units. Beef-on-dairy semen sales increased by 317,000 units, and beef-on-beef semen reversed a two-year decline with a 408,000-unit gain.
Evolving Breeding Strategies
Dairy producers are optimizing reproductive strategies with a mix of conventional, gender-selected dairy, and beef semen. Gender-selected dairy semen led 2024 sales at 9.9 million units, up 1.5 million units.
Surge in Heterospermic Semen Sales
Heterospermic beef semen sales more than doubled, exceeding 2.8 million units. Domestic sales dominated at 2.4 million units, making it the second-largest beef semen category after Angus.
Domestic and Global Market Shifts
Domestic dairy semen sales rose 5% to 16.2 million units, while beef semen sales increased by 304,000 units. Gender-selected semen grew by 1.5 million units, now comprising 61% of U.S. dairy semen use.
Despite global challenges, U.S. bovine semen exports remain strong. Rising demand from Brazil, China, and emerging markets fuels growth, particularly in beef semen exports.
A Promising Outlook
With robust domestic and international demand and innovative breeding strategies gaining traction, the bovine semen industry is poised for continued expansion and advancements in livestock reproduction.
