Story: Agricultural and horticultural research

Artificial breeding of cattle

Artificial breeding of cattle

Artificial breeding or artificial insemination in cattle is the process by which semen is collected from a bull, diluted and used to inseminate many cows. Trained technicians visit dairy farms in spring to do this job. In this way high-quality bulls have been used to greatly increase the productivity of the national dairy herd. Artificial breeding research began at Ruakura in 1939 and was subsequently developed by the New Zealand Dairy Board. The technologies developed have led the world. The major centre for this work has been at Newstead, near Hamilton. The demonstration of semen collection has always been a drawcard for visitors, as at this field day in 1964.

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How to cite this page:

Ross Galbreath, 'Agricultural and horticultural research - Advances in soil and animal science', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/19680/artificial-breeding-of-cattle (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Ross Galbreath, published 24 Nov 2008