Girlfarmer
Member
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Just found out there's a supply problem at the moment. Anyone heard any details?
No PMSG!
- Thread starter Girlfarmer
- Start date
Girlfarmer
Member
- Location
- North Yorkshire
2019!!!!? What will people do who were planning to AI? For myself it'll just mean everything gets lambed later but now I've got too many ewes to house for later lambing. I'm quite restricted when I can lamb. I'm going to have to sit and work this one out...
Girlfarmer
Member
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Oh right, they didn't mention anything today. What are they? Imported?
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
I don't know where from. It hasn't been available in Germany for several months now. I tried to order some this morning, to head off the shortage, for my October ET program. I guess that won't be happening then.
If you can have a 3 week lambing, and have the right Rams available, then Regulin is an option for early lambing. If you want to AI or ET, then I don't think any other protocols have ever been tested, anywhere, so I guess they will be off the table until (at least) 2019?
If you google, you will find lots of who-har about the welfare of horses in South America being harvested for the hormone, and the EU saying the right things to the welfarists (probably rightly, if those stories are true).
Didn't mean to be cryptic but the protocol with pmsg is well established. There are other gnrh products which have been used with experimental results in sheep. It will be different from what You are used to. They may work as well but with the caveat that it's experimental. It's why you need to talk to your Vet, who will be the supplier and needs to be happy you understand this.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
Some lads are in a total tizz at the minute. I'd hate to be in their shoes where they are so dependent on fertility work. If this unfolds to be a game changer the trade at the sales next week will be interesting. Demand is bound to be up for front line and sweeper rams and it may even change the type wanted.
For us the AI and ET program is at risk, but we could keep all of our sale gimmers and just sponge and tup everything as we tend to tup in October, so well within season. The recipients could rear crossbred lambs.
I'm reminded of the Chinese curse...
For us the AI and ET program is at risk, but we could keep all of our sale gimmers and just sponge and tup everything as we tend to tup in October, so well within season. The recipients could rear crossbred lambs.
I'm reminded of the Chinese curse...
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Anyone know why there's a shortage?
Brexit
Our Vet would love to hear from you.
Hughesy
Member
- Location
- Pembrokeshire
Would it be possible to use estrumate in some way to bring ewes onto heat!
Don't know enough about it really, maybe the timing can't be predicted well enough etc!!
It is certainly a concern for our ai program, at least I have nearly a year to look at options. This shortage was not mentioned a month ago when we ordered ours it's come about very quickly!!
Don't know enough about it really, maybe the timing can't be predicted well enough etc!!
It is certainly a concern for our ai program, at least I have nearly a year to look at options. This shortage was not mentioned a month ago when we ordered ours it's come about very quickly!!
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
A shot of estrumate will induce heat in certain circumstances, but I don't think it's very reliable if the ewe isn't naturally cycling. It certainly doesn't give the heat synchrony needed for AI.
I have used it in the past to kickstart ewes that have gone anoestrus, picked up by being empty at scanning after not being tupped since sponging. It did get those on heat 3-5 days after injection. Whether a vet will be happy to prescribe for such use any more, is debatable.
It creates too wide a heat window and isn't licenced for sheep anyway.
sheepwise
Member
- Location
- SW Scotland
Our vet phoned yesterday to warn us of the problem but said they had an alternative but at twice the price.We are only really needing some for my son's 5 texel ewes for AI. Is PMSG actually essential in September when you would expect ewes to be cycling naturally anyway. If the shortage continues into next year wonder what the early December lambing Charolais breeders will do.
- Location
- Montgomeryshire
PMSG is necessary if they are being AI'ed, as it tightens synchrony. If they are being served naturally, then there's no need, as long as they are already cycling. When I ran Texel crosses, most weren't cycling naturally in early October, unless they were teased. Do you have a teaser available? Or could put a ram next door?
Regulin sales might see a jump for early lambers next year. If you wanted a tight lambing, I guess a sponge without PMSG would work for natural mating, if the ewes had been given regulin and teased? Need more tups than if you are using AI though.
I think the handful of companies that rely on AI & ET for pretty much their whole income will feel the pinch more than most breeders.