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Artificial Insemination. Shelly Patton 2007-2008 GJCA Officer Chairman. Reproduction:. The process of generating offspring. Reproductive efficiency is the single most important factor affecting income of a cow-calf operation. Types of Repro in Cattle:. Artificially inseminate (AI)
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ArtificialInsemination Shelly Patton 2007-2008 GJCA Officer Chairman
Reproduction: • The process of generating offspring. • Reproductive efficiency is the single most important factor affecting income of a cow-calf operation.
Types of Repro in Cattle: • Artificially inseminate (AI) • Natural Service / Pasture Expose (PE) • Embryo Transfer (ET)
AI in Depth • Very common and easy to use • Cheaper than PE if done correctly • Wider variety of genetics
Why is AI so Common? • AI has become more and more common in recent years because it is cheaper and offers a wider variety of genetics to choose from for your breeding program. • AI allows a producer to improve the genetics in their herd at a higher rate than pasture exposing.
How is AI Cheaper? • AI is cheaper than pasture exposing if done correctly because you don’t have to own the bull and you don’t have to pay for the expenses of maintaining the bull – such as feed. • AI offers a wider variety of genetics cheaper since you don’t have to own the bull or worry with selling him to get another - you just order different semen.
Possible Problems with AI • Heat detection • Semen handling • Cow herd health
Heat Detection • Efficiency comes with practice… being able to know when to breed is a key part of the AI technique. • The most common method is if “she’s standing in the morning, breed her at night”. • This means if she will stand to be mounted, breed her about 12 hours later.
Semen Handling • Proper handling of semen between the time you take it out of the tank and actually breed the cow is key to successfully breeding your herd.
Herd Health • The biggest problem when any kind of breeding whether AI, PE, or ET is herd health. • Using AI can reduce the risk of disease in your herd. • Cows should be at the proper condition (not too fat or thin) in order to ensure success with breeding. • BCS of 5-6
In Summary • AI is economical. • AI can help improve genetics at a much faster rate. • With proper management, AI can work well in any herd – commercial or registered.
