AI in sucklers

[Woolless]

Hello all,

Just kicking around a few figures for current sheep enterprise and having a look at how some cows might fit into the farm business. Interested in some figures/views from folks that use AI on their sucklers:

1. How do AI technicians charge? By time/visit/insemination? How much?

2. What protocol is used for synchronisation and how much does this cost per cow?

3. Idea of price per straw? Say for good quality AA semen (Piece of string, I know)

4. Anyone rely completely on AI? What are conception rates like?

5. As a comparison, guide price for registered AA bull, above average on figures and easy calving but not flash?

Cheers, Woolless.

 

[livestock 1]

Hello all,

Just kicking around a few figures for current sheep enterprise and having a look at how some cows might fit into the farm business. Interested in some figures/views from folks that use AI on their sucklers:

1. How do AI technicians charge? By time/visit/insemination? How much?

2. What protocol is used for synchronisation and how much does this cost per cow?

3. Idea of price per straw? Say for good quality AA semen (Piece of string, I know)

4. Anyone rely completely on AI? What are conception rates like?

5. As a comparison, guide price for registered AA bull, above average on figures and easy calving but not flash?

Cheers, Woolless.

Would a bull not be easier. AI is great for some dairy herds or great to get genetics without buying a five figure bull

 

[Woolless]

Would a bull not be easier. AI is great for some dairy herds or great to get genetics without buying a five figure bull

It certainly would. I'm only thinking, unless things change radically, of putting on a max of 15 cows with a minimum of facilities. A bull will be a PITA for 10 months of the year and a big cost on a per cow basis.

 

[livestock 1]

It certainly would. I'm only thinking, unless things change radically, of putting on a max of 15 cows with a minimum of facilities. A bull will be a PITA for 10 months of the year and a big cost on a per cow basis.

It will work but be prepared to loose a bit of time getting them back incalf and the advantage is you will get a great choice sorry I can’t answer your questions

 

[M-J-G]

I've never found myself with the time for it.

I generally do a few cows in the first cycle, but the bulls go in after.

I've had pretty good success with synchro on heifers, but never good on cows.

AI isn't that cheap, 25 quid x 1.5 services per pregnancy(If you are very lucky) × 15 cows is around £550 per year, before you count time spent getting cows into a crush for when a tech can do a visit. A moderately priced bull can soon seem like a handy option.

 

[Woolless]

I've never found myself with the time for it.

I generally do a few cows in the first cycle, but the bulls go in after.

I've had pretty good success with synchro on heifers, but never good on cows.

AI isn't that cheap, 25 quid x 1.5 services per pregnancy(If you are very lucky) × 15 cows is around £550 per year, before you count time spent getting cows into a crush for when a tech can do a visit. A moderately priced bull can soon seem like a handy option.

Yes, a bull would certainly be an easier option. The problem with AI would be that you in all likelihood would need a bull to sweep up anyway. OK on a bigger scale maybe, less easy to justify for a few.

 

[Beames]

I am predominately Ai on my pedigree Angus sucklers. Start in July and serve for twelve weeks before turning stock bull in to sweep up.

It is a bit time consuming but I get to pick and choose what bulls go on what cows and try and my best to try and improve the next crop of calves.

As mentioned I work on an average of 1.5 services per cow.

Pay a semen storage with genus every month then the price of the straws on top which range from £10 - £60/70 ish. Each visit from the technician is also charged on top as well.

Conception rates last year have been fairly good , struggled in the heat with detection.

Hope this helps. .

 

[M-J-G]

Yes, a bull would certainly be an easier option. The problem with AI would be that you in all likelihood would need a bull to sweep up anyway. OK on a bigger scale maybe, less easy to justify for a few.

I get you, and a bull isn't bomb proof either.

 

[Sharpy]

Still have nightmares about getting in cows that were "mad bulling" for the AI man. (30 years ago) If I was doing it now I would have a setup where the cows walked through catching pens twice a day.

 

[Woolless]

Y

I get you, and a bull isn't bomb proof either.

That’s the worrying part, it’s a big investment and if he goes wrong, what then?

 

[AGN76]

100% ai here. It's hard work but it works well, but then my technician is a legend
Picking the bull to the cow is the biggest draw.

 

[unlacedgecko]

100% ai here. It's hard work but it works well, but then my technician is a legend
Picking the bull to the cow is the biggest draw.

How many cows? Would AI be feasible for 100+ sucklers?

 

[livestock 1]

Y
That’s the worrying part, it’s a big investment and if he goes wrong, what then?

You can insure him for 10% ish

 

[Muck Spreader]

We did it about 10 years ago for a couple of years on the heifers. But in the end I couldn't see the point or the cost in it. After all the bovine AI technician is on the job 24/7.

 

[AGN76]

How many cows? Would AI be feasible for 100+ sucklers?

Only 30. I've often wondered what the maximum number would be, I guess if I was on farm full time and the facilities were bang on, 100 would be do able.

 

[Treg]

100 % Ai here.
Ai charge has risen steeply here the last 12 months, was paying £12.50/ service now £19.50 / service ( time to change from Genus! ) flask storage £7/ month .
Surcharge for using non genus bulls £3.50 / service.
1.5 services / per cow
Semen £10 - £250
So your looking at around £50ish / cow in calf ( other than if your using expensive semen ).
Decent bull £10000
I'll let you do the maths
Never had a bull on the farm ( other than less than a week old ).

 

[unlacedgecko]

What age can a bull work from? Can you treat them like ram lambs, buy yearling bulls breed them then kill them?

 

[saly123]

Ai here aswel. Ai our whole spring calving herd. Nice tight block calving within 7ish weeks. Nice to be able to choose from a few different bulls on certain cows and heifers. Cows are quiet enough and your interacting with them everyday. We have grazing fields around the yard so easy for them to come in. Will be 40 calving g this year and slowly going up in numbers. It works for us on our system. I think it will work for some and not others.

 

[Davy_g]

Decent bull £10000
I'll let you do the maths
Never had a bull on the farm ( other than less than a week old ).

Hmm, I wonder what % of bulls used in the UK actually cost more than 5k?
Plenty over here change hands for less than 2k.
At that price it’s hard to justify not having one. Don’t get caught up in the show ring circus and if you know your breed of interest inside out then 10k is for the boys with cash to burn.

 

[Treg]

Hmm, I wonder what % of bulls used in the UK actually cost more than 5k?
Plenty over here change hands for less than 2k.
At that price it’s hard to justify not having one. Don’t get caught up in the show ring circus and if you know your breed of interest inside out then 10k is for the boys with cash to burn.

There's people who pay more than that & people who pay less , that's their choice for their system & I'm not going to knock either way as there's pro's & con's for both.