In 2008 A-Tech Global and Sion Israel began a long term study to establish a correlation between dosing semen by progressive motility and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle. The trial was conducted in field conditions at more than 500 dairy farms with over 6,000 cows participating making it the most comprehensive fertility study ever conducted in Israel.  For dose preparation and quality control Sion Israel used a new technology: The SQA-Vb (Bull) Automated Semen Analyzer.  The SQA-Vb can accurately dose samples based on Progressive Motile Sperm in 45 seconds, perform post thaw quality control, and much more.  The system was quickly integrated into Sion's semen processing operation and was the technology of choice for this fertility trial.  With the much anticipated phase 3 results set to shake up the industry, A-Tech Global wanted to acknowledge the excellent work of Sion and provide our customers with some more information about their organization.

Sion A.I. was founded in 2001 through a merger between the On and Hasherut A.I. cooperatives. Sion currently maintains 240 bulls located in three different sites.  Each year, approximately 350,000 inseminations are performed in Israel, 92.5% with local semen from the Israeli-Holstein breed.  The Israeli dairy cattle population has the highest average milk and milk solids production in the world, even though dairy production is influenced by heat stress for most of the year.  Israeli bulls transmit outstanding genetics for milk yield and components, and excel in fertility, longevity and udder health traits. Sion employs 36 insemination technicians.  Currently, 88% of the dairy herds are involved in the DHI system. Insemination information is recorded by the technicians on hand-held computer terminals. This system allows for error-free data transfer to the central Israel Cows Breeders Association – ICBA computer.  Semen collection starts when bulls are 14 months old. Genetic evaluations are computed biannually, and the status of the bulls and cows are reevaluated after each new genetic evaluation.  For more information, please visit Sion's Website: www.sion-israel.com.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

A-Tech CEO Marcia Deutsch and US Director (and blog author) Eric Carver making a new friend at Sion:


"The Team" at lunch time:


A beautiful shot of Sion's facility from across the field:


Two mechanics "checking the oil":


A heart-felt endorsement letter from Director of Science and Production Yoel Zeron:


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