How risky is DIY AI - block calver

[crashbox]

Hi all,

Struggling to get a tech to serve cows (Genus only around here, but want us to use exclusively their semen, otherwise horrendous charges).

Fancy trying some NZ semen, not an option with Genus.

Would I be mad to do a course and do it myself? Sexed semen for dairy, 200 cows, want a tight block (10-12 weeks).

TIA

 

[Cowwilf]

Have you got enough help with the other work for you to be doing the Ai yourself?

Our conception rate improved when i went from genus tech to diy. I put it down to serving am and pm and not having cows waiting in a pen for a tech to arrive. The trouble I did find was its another job to do at the busiest times of day. A well set up waiting area with feed water and some where to lie down would take the time pressure off. I broke my left wrist so had to go back to a tech for a while and never got back into it.

 

[Cotlandfarmer]

No not mad at all.

Yes it will be nerve-racking the first season but will get easier the more cows you serve.

DIY ai will be time consuming but it's the single most important job of the year.

 

[Tasteless]

You get out what you put in.

 

[upnortheast]

Well worth doing the course. will be big savings on 200 cows
Then you need to get the 1st 100 cows done to build your confidence. Very much a case of practice makes perfect

If you are looking for a tight block may be worth having a bull on site to cover repeats for the 1st season until you get your eye in

 

[frederick]

Hi all,

Struggling to get a tech to serve cows (Genus only around here, but want us to use exclusively their semen, otherwise horrendous charges).

Fancy trying some NZ semen, not an option with Genus.

Would I be mad to do a course and do it myself? Sexed semen for dairy, 200 cows, want a tight block (10-12 weeks).

TIA

You will want to do the course months before you start serving. Then you can practice on bulling barren cows.

It will be quite hectic to start with and your hand will ache. Being able to give it as long as needed maybe 10-15 minutes for a tricky cow will help.

Need plan b in case you can't do it for a week due to injury or illness.

Once youve had a bit of practice it's a doddle.

 

[box]

Would I be mad to do a course and do it myself?

Yes.

I recommend you do the course and then work with your technician (i.e. get the technician in for days when there are "too many" cows on heat or to re-serve those you couldn't do) for the first season mating so you can build your confidence while maintaining a decent conception rate and calving spread. Don't be afraid to call someone in, especially if you're having one of "those" days.

Once you get about 100 inseminations under your belt, it gets easier and quicker. It gets even better when your own calves start hitting the ground.

It's not an easy job and it takes time to get good at it, but it's very rewarding and very convenient being able to do your own thing.

Doing the DIY course was probably the best money I've ever spent, so just do it and don't look back.


Out of curiosity, what breed are the cows? I've found Jerseys to be quite difficult compared to black and white ones, but I might've just been unlucky.

 

[easy farming]

Hi all,

Struggling to get a tech to serve cows (Genus only around here, but want us to use exclusively their semen, otherwise horrendous charges).

Fancy trying some NZ semen, not an option with Genus.

Would I be mad to do a course and do it myself? Sexed semen for dairy, 200 cows, want a tight block (10-12 weeks).

TIA

It is worth doing and like riding a bike , you will never forget once you have learned. Strongly advise against using sexed semen to begin with. Conception rates usually poorer than conventional and the wait for repeats at end of first three weeks is nerve racking enough.

 

[farmboy]

Do the course then for the first season get a tech to serve AM and you serve PM

 

[box]

for the first season get a tech to serve AM and you serve PM

Good idea.

 

[Ducati899]

Not block calver but my OH done the course and having the option to serve cows PM has been fantastic for us,tech still does some.
You won’t regret it

 

[farmboy]

Good idea.

It’s what I do here, tech comes AM for busy first 6 weeks of AI, I do PM then after 6 weeks me and the bulls do it all. It spreads the risk and outsources some of the workload when we are busy. Also means if I have one I can’t do I can get him to have ago the next morning!!

 

[Henarar]

Would I be mad to do a course and do it myself?

No,
the course will tech you how to do it,
then its just a case of keeping your hand in,
someone had to say it

 

[DairyNerd]

I do our own now. We still ran a bull (AI to different breed) this year too as insurance but won't buy another bull now. It is a leap at first but I don't think you will regret it, the money that Tech's charge now it is a big saving. Main thing when you start is give yourself plenty of time to do it.

 

[Jdunn55]

@crashbox the best thing to do in my opinion, and the way I wish I did it.

I would use conventional semen for this year.
I would buy a bull - probably a friesian or if you're not keen a limo.

Serve them yourself. If you struggle put the bull in with them for an hour. There will be cows you can't do. There's occasionally cows I still can't do and use a bull for them.

I would serve straight away, so if they're bulling in the night/morning serve them in the morning, if they're bulling during the day/afternoon serve them in the evening.

If you do all that, you'll get practice, the cows won't slip and you'll get replacement heifers as well. Then next year you'll be better, and the following year better again etc

 

[crashbox]

Yes.

I recommend you do the course and then work with your technician (i.e. get the technician in for days when there are "too many" cows on heat or to re-serve those you couldn't do) for the first season mating so you can build your confidence while maintaining a decent conception rate and calving spread. Don't be afraid to call someone in, especially if you're having one of "those" days.

Once you get about 100 inseminations under your belt, it gets easier and quicker. It gets even better when your own calves start hitting the ground.

It's not an easy job and it takes time to get good at it, but it's very rewarding and very convenient being able to do your own thing.

Doing the DIY course was probably the best money I've ever spent, so just do it and don't look back.


Out of curiosity, what breed are the cows? I've found Jerseys to be quite difficult compared to black and white ones, but I might've just been unlucky.

Thanks, all black and whites here, though considering some kiwi cross...

 

[crashbox]

Thanks all, like the idea of working with the tech, will sign up to the course.

 

[Beef farmer]

Thanks all, like the idea of working with the tech, will sign up to the course.

We are putting 5 on the course in 3 weeks time, 3 here already trained. Taking it all back in house this year.

 

[Milkcow365]

We are putting 5 on the course in 3 weeks time, 3 here already trained. Taking it all back in house this year.

New guys keen?

 

[Beef farmer]

New guys keen?

As mustard