‘Hydrogen urine scent increases reproductive rate’ Cow breeding technology recognized worldwide

The Rural Development Administration's National Institute of Animal Science announced on the 12th that its 'cow breeding management technology using hydrogen-specific aroma' received the silver medal for innovation for the first time in Asia at 'EuroTier 2026' held in Germany.

Eurotier, hosted by the German Agricultural Association (DLG), is the world's largest livestock trade fair.

This technology, developed by the domestic company Solomon Co., Ltd., sprays odorous substances extracted from the urine of male cows in the form of an air freshener to induce estrus and reproductive activity in cows, relieving the long-standing concerns of Korean beef farmers who had missed the period of artificial insemination due to vague signs of estrus after birth.

The Livestock Research Institute has led field verification and farm supply pilot projects since last year, increasing the number of participating farms from 35 in 7 cities and counties last year to 61 in 12 cities and counties this year.

As a result of the empirical results, the average number of artificial inseminations required for one cow to become pregnant decreased from 1.58 to 1.36.

The calving interval between a mother cow giving birth to a calf and the next calf was shortened by 18.4 days from 390.5 days to 372.1 days.

Choi Soi-young, head of the technical support department at the Korea Institute of Animal Science, said, “In order for excellent technology to be established in the livestock farming field, its effectiveness and convenience must be thoroughly verified in the actual breeding environment.” He added, “We will work with private industry to continuously discover and distribute practical technologies that will increase farm income.”