Cattle AI

[deniscooper]

Evening,

I've got two, two year old Hereford heifers that im considering breeding with. I don't really want a bull so I was thinking of AI, but its all a bit new to me.

I've seen some companies that you can buy the cattle semen from such as UKSires, but im not sure id be confident doing it myself or knowing the timing etc.

Are there companies out there that do everything? Or is it a job for the vets?

Any advice welcome.

 

[primmiemoo]

Hi, @deniscooper, There are AI companies whose specialist Inseminators would come out to your heifers, yes. You'll probably be best off talking to your Vet, to find out about the ones in your area. Timing is all, as you say, so reading up about standing heat and when to phone the Inseminator will help you to learn to spot the right time.

To AI them yourself, and for buying semen, and storing it for your own herd, you will need to pass a course, so your first port of call would be an agricultural college that offers them. I haven't done one, but there are Posters who will have, and might be willing to give you more details.
Hth

 

[topground]

Do you have any dairy farmer neighbours? If so it is likely that they will be doing their own AI and with the right incentives might be prepared to AI your heifers with straws you have bought and stored in their tank.

 

[borderterribles]

You will have to learn the signs that indicate that your heifers are ready for insemination. Keep a close eye on them and look out particularly for any that are more vocal than usual, but the main sign to look for is when one will "ride" another. The "ridden " is generally ready for insemination when she will allow another heifer to ride her, without trying to move away. This is called standing heat. There will be several companies in your area that will come and inseminate your heifers. You will be able to purchase the semen from them at the time of the visit. If you are relatively new to cattle keeping, then i would recommend that you choose a bull that is easy calving. You will need to have facilities to hold your heifer safely and securely, in order that the technician can do the deed. Good luck,

 

[Danllan]

Evening,

I've got two, two year old Hereford heifers that im considering breeding with. I don't really want a bull so I was thinking of AI, but its all a bit new to me.

I've seen some companies that you can buy the cattle semen from such as UKSires, but im not sure id be confident doing it myself or knowing the timing etc.

Are there companies out there that do everything? Or is it a job for the vets?

Any advice welcome.

You haven't a hope in hell of doing the AI right yourself without decent training and a fair bit of practice, without these, at best you could waste a lot of time and money and at worst seriously damage your stock. But, there are plenty of other options to choose from, national (international!) companies like Genus, or local one-man enterprises that can do it for you. We use Genus and have an absolute star of an AI man with them. Companies that size have their own catalogue of sires to choose from, but you can still order in semen from others which they will store and use -we do that.

Your job is just to spot when the beasts are bulling. Remember that there is a theoretical three week cycle, but individual animals differ, and the weather can affect them too. Just make sure you can recognise the signs of bulling and keep a diary of them. Assuming you have a set-up to hold them - a crush or a yoke between hurdles - you'll be fine.

 

[deniscooper]

Thanks for all the advice.

ill do some more research around identifying the right time and make contact with some of the ai companies too.
I’ve got access to a crush when needed.

 

[som farmer]

buy some oestrotect strips, you can get a 5 pack, e'bay, or farm store. These will tell you, when your hfrs are bulling, could save some umming and ahhing. Vets should point you to a AI service. Oestrotect strips are brilliant, we use them on our block calved dairy herd, 75 %, held to 1st service, cows picked out by rubbed strips, and a good AI man, should give you a good result.