simba
Well-known member
This is something that the Canadian Junior Hereford Association does, and I was wondering if any others run similar programs.
Junior members from across Canada contact breeders to see if they have any semen that they would like to donate to the program. A list of all the available semen is then compiled and mailed to the juniors, along with a nomination form. Juniors pay $20 to nominate 3 females that they own and rank their top 6 bulls from the list (in 2012 there were 16 horned and 21 polled bulls to choose from, which is actually low compared to most years). Some people donate two straws, some 6 or 10, even some unlimited. For every female nominated, the junior has the chance to win two straws of semen and the draw is continued until all of the semen has been won (unless there is semen that was not requested by a junior). After the draw is completed, the juniors and breeders are mailed out letters stating who won their semen or who's semen they won. It is then the junior's responsibility to contact the breeder and arrange transportation. The semen has to be used on one of the nominated females and is supposed to be used within two breeding seasons.
Juniors benefit because they gain access to a wide variety of semen for an extremely low cost. I have used the program since 2008, and it has helped my herd improve much more rapidly than it would have if I had to pay for all the semen I was able to use.
Breeders benefit for many reasons as well: They can promote their bulls, help out juniors, and get rid of semen that they don't plan to use.
In my opinion, the best benefit of the program is the connection between juniors and breeders. My best cow is the product of a semen donation mating. Since she was born, the family that donated her sire's semen have been following her at shows, asking me who I'll breed her to, and paying close attention to her calves. In 2010, I was fortunate enough to win Champion Semen Donation Animal with that cow at the Canadian Junior Hereford Bonanza. The best part of the whole thing was seeing them go completely crazy!! They were so excited, hooting and hollering and clapping. As a junior member without a ton of confidence at the time, it was such an awesome feeling to have established breeders that barely knew me, fully supporting me and my program.
I'm curious to know if other breed associations have similar type programs, and if they don't, I would highly recommend starting one. There are so many benefits to not only the juniors and breeders, but the breed as a whole!
Junior members from across Canada contact breeders to see if they have any semen that they would like to donate to the program. A list of all the available semen is then compiled and mailed to the juniors, along with a nomination form. Juniors pay $20 to nominate 3 females that they own and rank their top 6 bulls from the list (in 2012 there were 16 horned and 21 polled bulls to choose from, which is actually low compared to most years). Some people donate two straws, some 6 or 10, even some unlimited. For every female nominated, the junior has the chance to win two straws of semen and the draw is continued until all of the semen has been won (unless there is semen that was not requested by a junior). After the draw is completed, the juniors and breeders are mailed out letters stating who won their semen or who's semen they won. It is then the junior's responsibility to contact the breeder and arrange transportation. The semen has to be used on one of the nominated females and is supposed to be used within two breeding seasons.
Juniors benefit because they gain access to a wide variety of semen for an extremely low cost. I have used the program since 2008, and it has helped my herd improve much more rapidly than it would have if I had to pay for all the semen I was able to use.
Breeders benefit for many reasons as well: They can promote their bulls, help out juniors, and get rid of semen that they don't plan to use.
In my opinion, the best benefit of the program is the connection between juniors and breeders. My best cow is the product of a semen donation mating. Since she was born, the family that donated her sire's semen have been following her at shows, asking me who I'll breed her to, and paying close attention to her calves. In 2010, I was fortunate enough to win Champion Semen Donation Animal with that cow at the Canadian Junior Hereford Bonanza. The best part of the whole thing was seeing them go completely crazy!! They were so excited, hooting and hollering and clapping. As a junior member without a ton of confidence at the time, it was such an awesome feeling to have established breeders that barely knew me, fully supporting me and my program.
I'm curious to know if other breed associations have similar type programs, and if they don't, I would highly recommend starting one. There are so many benefits to not only the juniors and breeders, but the breed as a whole!
