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Show THE NATIONAL ENTERPRISE, OCTOBER 5, 1977 17 'v A lot of bull? Dont overlook the market by Sheri Poe Enterprise Staff Writer If you're seeking a sound investment, dont overlook Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation. This Holstein may not be up for sale, but dairy farmers say it's a sure bet this prize bulls semen will at least double in price once 13-year-- he reaches his heavenly reward which may be unfortunately close at hand, since most bulls live to be only nine or ten. "Elevation is a real good investment right now," Harry Papageorge, director of the National Holstein Friesian Association, predicts. "If he were to die tomorrow, his semen would be worth $100 per ampule within five months." Not a bad return on $45. Higher production Consider Ivanhoe, the prize breeder who cashed in his chips some ten years ago his semen now sells for at least $2,000, with a more recent buyer paying $4,000 for a thimbleful of the precious stuff. Before his death, when supply could meet demand, his semen sold for about $40 an ampule. Increased milk production is the goal of genetic breeding, where semen from cows arc expected to exceed their sisters production by prize, pedigreed bulls is This predicted difference, combined with the repeatability of this production in offspring of different herds, is documented to rate the bull on marketed for artificial insemination in quality cows in hopes of producing offspring with a higher milk delivery' rate. Sen Icing" daily The semen is collected by distributors like Select Sires, a 10 member cooperative headquartered in Ohio with a local membership in Logan. Select Sires in Ohio "services" its 600 prize bulls twice daily to provide semen for dairy farmers across the nation. Stored in ampules which provide a single fertility dose, the semen can be stored indefinitely in a liquid nitrogen tank and thawed when a cow is ready for impregnation. A single dose can cost as little as $2, with the upward prices limitless, Rulon Osmond, manager of the Cache Valley He Select Sires said. explained the cost is related to the value of the bull. A bull must be "proven" before his semen becomes an asset to dairy1 breeders. A bull is proven through documentation measuring the quantity of milk produced by heifers sired by him. These 1 .000 pounds of milk per year. his ability to genetically improve a herd. His semen must he planted in cows from at least 20 herds before an official accounting of his value can be determined, Osmond said. As a bull's success is further documented, the price of his semen increases. Its all very complicated, and locally handled through the Dairy Herd Association Improvement computers in Provo. These computers provide farmers within a range with valuable information charts on milk production from each cow. The charts cost farmers 70 cents per cow each month. six-sta- te few outlive tests Onlv one out of everv six bulls being proven outlives the tests, said Papageorge. The entire process takes more But the than six years. unproven bulls semen is nonetheless collected and stored, so even after death, a proven bulls genes can be passed on to dairy herds. Since the bull is a year old before maturity, and his offspring are nearly two years old before lactation, the before male is middle-age- d even the testing begins. Another consideration is the chance for a male offspring. Select Sires often makes contracts with to purchase the calf if it is male, providing the in the is considered mother 2 percent of the upper registered, pedigreed breed. The easy life s dairy-farmer- -- genes to meet production demands, he can look forward to an easy life in a small Ohio stall, where he will be serviced until he dies. A bull can produce 100 to 650 cubic centimeters of semen y early, and this semen is greatly diluted before sale in ampules containing one cc. A good dairy breeder keeps as much as $40,000 in semen at the farm, stored in privately-ownenitrogen tanks. All Ivanhoe ampules are now privately owned, Osmond said, and sold between dairvmen. Its Select Elevation, not an unprofitable arrangement, with the farmer receiving about $3,500 for a male offspring, and Select Sires obtaining another bull for semen production. After the testing, if a bull fails to measure up to consider purchasing great quantities of his sperm, Osmond warns dairy breeding speculative business which benefits only the most knowlcgeable of dairy owners. Besides, he added, its easier to store stock certificates. And is s dairy-standard- lies "shipped to McDonalds for processing." Osmond says. But if the bull has the Let us help you plan... these companies have: Grand Central Huish Distributing Heiner Equipment a on a positive note. Elevation may outlive us all. ( New York Life Insurance Co. RCA Young Electric Sign Co Seminars Workshops Conventions Meetings & Banquets Sires also owns but before you RODEWAY OK ... for information call Julia INN BOISE in Boise 521-455- 0 |