BullVal$: An Integrated Decision-Support Tool for Predicting the Net Present Value of a Dairy Bull Based on Genetic Merit, Semen Production Potential, and Demographic Factors.

Deciding when to replace dairy bulls presents a complex challenge for artificial insemination (AI) companies. These decisions encompass multiple factors, including a bull's age, predicted semen production, and estimated genetic merit. This study's purpose was to provide a practical, objective tool to assist in these decisions.

Decision-support tool for global allocation of dairy sire semen based on regional demand, supply constraints, and genetic profiles.

An artificial insemination (AI) company seeks to allocate semen units globally by balancing perceived demand with uncertain product supply, in what is an arduous subjective process. This study aimed to objectivize this process by providing a user-friendly linear programming model to allocate bulls' semen units to regions for the next trimester sales period based on maximum revenue, and to describe the features and outcomes of this model when applied to a sample bull herd and global demand scenario reflective of a leading AI company. The objective function of maximizing revenue was calculated by summing the product of units allocated by bull and region with purchase prices assigned by bull and region.

Predicting sperm production of young dairy bulls using collection history and management factors.

Selection of elite young dairy bulls by using genomic data shortened the generation interval and increased pressure to collect and market germplasm at an early age. The objectives of this study were (1) develop prediction models for daily, weekly, and monthly total sperm (TSp) production from collection history, health status, and management factors, and (2) assess the ability of these models to forecast future TSp production, as well as differences in prediction accuracy by seasonality or age of bull. Data consisted of 43,918 daily processing records from 1,037 Holstein and Jersey bulls between 10 and 28 mo of age at collection.