Country / Rural

LIC finds more batches of sire semen have quality issues

12:30 pm on 23 November 2023

Photo: 123RF

Animal genetics company Livestock Improvement Corporation has found more batches of semen used on farms in October that were not up to scratch.

The company has refunded hundreds of farmers after semen used on 921 herds across the country resulted in lower than expected pregnancy rates. That batch was used on 17, 18 and 19 October.

The co-op said some batches used on farms on 23, 24 and 25 October were also found to have quality issues.

It would not say how many farmers had been affected by this second discovery but RNZ understands some farmers have been affected by both bad batches.

LIC chief executive David Chin said the company was taking the issue very seriously.

"Getting cows in calf is our number one priority at this time of year and we understand this has flow-on effects for farmers.

"We sincerely apologise for this frustrating situation," he said.

"Our priority is keeping farmers informed, and we will be updating farmers on Friday 24 November given this further development."