Think you've bred a top bull calf, out of one of your best cows and sired by a CRV local or global sire? You can nominate him to CRV's breeding programme, even if his dam isn't under a CRV contract. It's a chance for one of your calves to influence herds right across the country.

Why it matters

Every year we call for bull calf nominations from the open market: calves from cows that weren't part of a CRV contract mating or embryo programme. We know we sometimes miss top cows, and this is your chance to put one of yours forward.

It works. Around a quarter of CRV's 26-code bull team came straight from the Open Market programme. Past successes include the Friesian sire Venture, the top crossbred Insire Prague, and the top daughter-proven Jersey Nucleus.

What's in it for you

• 50 free straws for breeders of early-maturing bulls
• Competitive bull purchase options
• Your bull could go on to influence thousands of herds nationwide

How the process works

1. Nominate your calf. Complete the online nomination form, or talk to your CRV Sire Analyst.
2. We check the dam. We order data on your calf's dam and decide whether to genotype. Expect a decision within about four working days.
3. DNA sample. If we say yes, we email you a lab submission form. Sample the calf as soon as you can and send it to our DNA provider. Results usually take two to four weeks from when the lab receives the sample.
4. Parentage results. You'll get these by email during the process, ahead of the final genomic results.
5. Final decision. Once the genomic results are in, our Breeding Team assesses the calf and emails you a yes or no. If it's a no, he simply carries on his original path to rearer or finisher.

Selected bulls are health tested, quarantined, and housed at CRV's EU-certified centre near Cambridge. From around 12 months, if he meets quality criteria, we collect semen and use it in Info Herds, Platinum Packs, and customer orders