Cow sex, AI & burgers

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   By Murray Harris, Guest Blogger

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For decades Garth’s avid readers have been taught that supply, demand, fear, greed, and government intervention set prices.

Beef supply shortages are responsible for the ever-escalating price of hamburger. Has biological engineering ever been identified as driving meat prices higher? Scientists strive for improved productivity, disease resistance, and a reduced carbon footprint, unless they work under the direction of RFK JR.

As consumers are impacted by rising beef prices, the Orange King is in a battle with his rancher base, for having allowed beef imports from Argentina to increase the supply side, to lower US consumer beef prices. Here

Five decades ago artificial insemination (AI) introduced higher genetic potential to Canadian dairy herds. Now 97% of dairy cows are serviced artificially. How long before PETA protests that 97% of dairy cows are deprived of a full sex life experience?

AI, advanced on to bovine super ovulation, with multiple embryos being harvested from genetically superior females per cycle, and implanted in recipient females’ uteruses. Therefore the best females can produce dozens of offspring per year instead of one.

The majority of dairy cows are now serviced with sexed semen. The top 60% of the dairy herd genetically, is bred with dairy female sexed semen, for replacements. The bottom 40% of the herd is crossed with male sexed semen from beef bulls.

This selection provides dairy farmers with the greatest genetic improvement for female replacements, while providing much higher revenue from the beef crossed male calves from the least productive cows.

Beef crossed 10-day-old bull calves are selling for over $2,000. This is three times the value of dairy bull calves, and twice the value of female dairy calves. Sexed semen has been a financial boost to the dairy sector. Accelerated genetic improvement for replacement heifers, and increased revenue from the bottom end of the herd’s batting order. Here

Production increases through genetics has resulted in greatly reduced dairy cow numbers, producing more milk. There were 19,000 fewer dairy cattle in Canada in 2024 than in 2014. While total milk produced increased 23% as has total dairy consumption. That is how supply management balances with demand. Here

Most dairy cows have a calf every 12 months. With 19,000 fewer calves born annually, the beef supply from dairy cows is reduced significantly. With 20% of Canadian beef supplies coming from dairy farm origin, either culled cows or dairy and dairy beef crossed calves.

Biogenetic engineering is currently having the biggest impact on dairy production. With genomic sequencing alone, as tracked by Lactanet, efficiency is increasing by 3% per year. Here

At birth a potential dairy sire has a tissue sample analyzed for numerous traits. The genome report shows the dominance of the traits expected from this bull calf. If the genetic potential is superior to other potential AI candidates’ genome tests, this calf will be raised and when mature his genetic potential will be used on a broad base of females.

Genomic selection speeds up genetic improvements by four years. Previously, when a candidate bull went into service, his first sired calves, born 9 months later, would have their first calves at 25 months of age. It would be almost another year before those females’ production levels are known and their type classification registered. That is at least 52 months after the genome sequenced bull’s reproductive capabilities were known.

Increased production means fewer cows, and fewer calving. Less beef on the market and increased prices. There is no end in sight for this trend. A normal cycle for high prices creating increased supply, is three years for livestock. Genomics ended that cycle.

The beef sector is not production regulated. The constraints, are feed and animal availability. With the ongoing climate change drought in parts of North America, beef cow numbers continue to decline. There are 11% fewer beef cattle in both Canada and US than 10 years ago. Here

Hamburger prices are at record highs. Not because K D Lang is no longer vegan, nor because of the Blue Jays Loonie Dog Tuesdays.

CPI food price increases August 2024 to August 2025:
Ground Beef up 11.0%, Whole Chicken up 3.2%, 4 litres Milk up 2.25%. Milk and chicken are Supply Managed. Beef is open market. Here

MSM coverage of escalating beef prices speaks of cow numbers, feed prices, and drought. It doesn’t cover the effect of Biogenetic Engineering as a factor in the reduced cow numbers.

After feed costs, livestock housing costs are the biggest expense in dairy farming in Canada. With new dairy barn construction at $18,000 per head in Canada, dairy farmers will choose to maximize production per cow over expansion. Here

Genomics is the fastest most cost effective method of increasing production. In so doing it reduces the number of uteruses available to produce replacement cattle. By seeking a higher quality product at a lower price, farming has the same economic goal as any industry.

Will Artificial Intelligence work against the average consumer in the same way that Biogenetic Engineering has with increased beef prices?

About the Blogger: Murray Harris (who posts as Cow man) is a 40-year dairy farmer having developed his Burnview Holstein herd to one of Canada’s highest production herds. Community activist and Charter Member of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee, he has held positions on several Agricultural Committees and Conservation Halton. Married to his Trophy wife of 52 years, he’s a father of two, grandfather of three and continues to serve the community as a school bus driver. 

Got something intelligent to say to the rest of us? Tell me about it – garth@garth.ca.

Source: https://www.greaterfool.ca/2025/11/02/cow-sex-ai-burgers/