There’s some ‘record sales’ news for Ayrshire cattle breeders.

A dramatic growth in British Ayrshire semen sales of more than 40% during 2009, has been recorded by Cattle Services (Ayr), the cattle breeding arm of the Ayrshire Cattle Society.

The company says that this record rise is due to a world-wide demand from British Ayrshire genetics, and that the introduction of sexed semen, plus a continued penetration into the crossing market, have all contributed to the increase.

Cattle Services’ marketing director, Edward Evans, said substantial quantities of semen from both proven and young sires were exported to eight different countries in 2009, with more pending for 2010.