CHOOSING THE sex of Charolais calves is now possible using the first two bulls to go through the process of sexing semen.

The Genus stud bulls, Blelack Digger and Clyth Diplomat, have both been selected for their potential performance, as well as their maternal traits. Digger is a Balthayock Adonis son and out of a Galcantray-bred cow by Blelack Montgomery, and is within the breed’s top 1% with a Terminal Index (TI) +56 and Self Replacing Index (SRI) +64. In addition, he has a Calving Ease Direct EBV of +6.8 and he is one of the breed society’s top promising young bulls.

He was purchased privately by Jeremy Price, Staunton-on-Wye, Hereford, who was running him with his Oakchurch herd of 18 breeding females.

Clyth Diplomat TI +25, SRI +33, is by Oldstone Egbert and out of a Beauchamp Foreman-sired cow which is noted for consistently breeding bulls demonstrating Charolais character.

Diplomat secured the junior championship in Stirling, in October, 2009, and sold for 16,000gns to Brian McAllister, to join his 20-cow Burnside herd based at Kells, Ballymena.

Blelack Digger and Clyth Diplomat are available from Genus’ Premier Collection at a cost of £40 per straw.