AI Training Advice

[ladycrofter]

Well I've signed up for a 3-day AI training course in December with Embryonics via LANTRA. Not cheap.

I know from experience it can be difficult to get someone out for single cows up here and am really looking at that area of work. No vacancies with the big guys Genus Cogent etc. as this is not dairy country.

Any advice or comments? Has anyone done similar on their own? I assume I'd be buying my own flask, not sure how it works getting straws. Thanks.

 

[Agriclegend]

Hi,

I have no direct experience other than as a customer and I am in a big dairy area (but with a small herd). I like the idea of using someone independent as I had a negative experience with a certain large firm but was told at the time that such people are rare and I should just do an AI course myself. I didn't follow this route because I would not have time and probably wouldn't be AI'ing enough to remain competent although I guess that depends whether it is instinctive or not, it remains an option in the future. I like the firm I use now, they basically have a flask in the back of a car and travel round, I ring up a mobile and they ring me back to let me know when they are going to turn up. They charge around £10 for each service. Part of the problem with the firm I used previously was that you never knew when or if they would actually turn up. In terms of getting straws you will be able to collect from collection points or they can be delivered to your flask depending on where they are from. The same applies to the nitrogen. I order straws which I want to buy for my herd and get them put into my AI persons flask so they have what I want whenever they come out.

I suspect the biggest issue you will have is being on constant call if it is just you doing the work. As a customer with a cow on heat you will not want to hear that your AI person is on holiday or unwell!!

Best of luck, would be interested to know how much the course costs and how you get on thereafter.

 

[ladycrofter]

Hi,

I have no direct experience other than as a customer and I am in a big dairy area (but with a small herd). I like the idea of using someone independent as I had a negative experience with a certain large firm but was told at the time that such people are rare and I should just do an AI course myself. I didn't follow this route because I would not have time and probably wouldn't be AI'ing enough to remain competent although I guess that depends whether it is instinctive or not, it remains an option in the future. I like the firm I use now, they basically have a flask in the back of a car and travel round, I ring up a mobile and they ring me back to let me know when they are going to turn up. They charge around £10 for each service. Part of the problem with the firm I used previously was that you never knew when or if they would actually turn up. In terms of getting straws you will be able to collect from collection points or they can be delivered to your flask depending on where they are from. The same applies to the nitrogen. I order straws which I want to buy for my herd and get them put into my AI persons flask so they have what I want whenever they come out.

I suspect the biggest issue you will have is being on constant call if it is just you doing the work. As a customer with a cow on heat you will not want to hear that your AI person is on holiday or unwell!!

Best of luck, would be interested to know how much the course costs and how you get on thereafter.

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense about the customer ordering straws. I expect they'll cover equipment at the course, and hopefully a bit about how to get started. I don't mind the hours, I've been there and know how anxious a time it is when you have few cows and aren't syncing. I've got long arms, small hands and love cows, so its a dream job.

 

[Massey mad]

Hi I did it around 6 years ago, it's a great experience just doing the course let alone anything else. It takes a while to get confident but getting a few calves on the ground that you served is very rewarding. I got my own flask and store a few straws for a few neighbours, serve about 60-80 a year just enough to keep my hand in. They'll tell u all this on the course but my advice would be to always take your time and be gentle it's a very delicate procedure.

 

[Bald Rick]

Well I've signed up for a 3-day AI training course in December with Embryonics via LANTRA. Not cheap.

I know from experience it can be difficult to get someone out for single cows up here and am really looking at that area of work. No vacancies with the big guys Genus Cogent etc. as this is not dairy country.

Any advice or comments? Has anyone done similar on their own? I assume I'd be buying my own flask, not sure how it works getting straws. Thanks.

Put any of our staff interested in learning through the Embryonics course.

Key is to get as much practice as you can post course as it’s a truism that practice makes perfect.
If you can find enough farmers willing to use your services, you should be able to get a free flask etc off a semen company provided you source semen from them. As a guide, Genus charge around £10/service plus straw cost with no discount for multiple cows on the same farm . You may be able to undercut that but fuel and consumables need to be factored in

 

[davieogrutha]

Will you be able to do other farms? When I did my course we were told that it was for our own farms only and if we wanted to do others we had to do another course as you are handling dangerous goods (liquid nitrogen) around. Maybe wrong with that though.
Besides that I'm really glad I did it. I only ai Cows that start Bulling inside. Bulls do the business when turn out happens. Do roughly 20 a year. May not be many but it soon comes back to you once the first cow comes back into season each year. Getting better results from it too as you can pick when the best time to do the service, rather than getting a slot when possible best time has past. A service up here in Orkney is roughly £18 I think plus a straw on top, been a few years since I had to use them so not sure on right price.
You also get a better choice as you can have whatever you want in your own tank.
It's no cheep that's for sure too.
I started with straws between £5- £8(still good sires} for a couple of years until I was more confident with what I was doing. At that price you can have a second go on the same heat cycle if need be.