A I for breeding cattle

[Dusty Britches]

My husband and I have a small herd of brangus cows and due to some bad luck with the last 2 bulls, we are considering other options. During this market, having 2 consecutive bulls that each sired 2 years of calves with serious genetic defects has just about broken us.

We are considering leasing a bull for the months of Feb - April or AI. I don't know anything about AI and considering my daily time constraints, I would rather take them somewhere or have someone come out.

I don't know anything about AI, but I was thinking we could use AI to have heifers to keep and not worry about in breeding of buying a herd bull. Heifers are a premium and I suspect they will be for some time.

Any rate, did I mention I don't know anything about AI? What are some questions I need to ask? How do I go about finding a service? What questions should I ask about that? Do I need to do anything to prep my cows - like have a staff meeting about what the plans are? I have the facilities - squeeze chute, palpation gates, water, etc.

The people I have talked to say it is easy and I should just do it myself, but I don't know what kind of expense that involves and I really don't have the money or time for an AI class.

[txarcher]

I would recommend leasing or buying another bull. That being said, I just got finished AI'ing some heifers for some club calf prospects. The reason I still recommend having a bull is because you really should have a clean up bull anyway in the event that the AI doesn't work. If you lease one, make sure that the owners assumes all risk. It would be very unfortunate to have to pay the lease for the bull, and then buy him too if he stifled himself or died etc.

[Buck assasin]

Its not to hard... First off i would keep track of heat cycles so that you know when around the right time to ai them... Also on the ai look for a bull who throws small birth weights that way the heifer dosent have difficulties at birth.... Once you have these figured out them buy your donor bulls semen it usually shipps over night to you so that way you have a greater chance at haveing live specimine.. You should be able to call out any vet to do it...

[Hawkins]

Get with Hogdude1234, I believe he does AI.

How many head we talking?

[kfd82]

Call your local large animal vet. I'd be willing to bet he does tons of AIs each year.
You can get the semen shipped directly to him probably.

Basically, pen your cows and have the vet come out and implant them. The implant will bring them into a heat cycle within 2 or 3 days (been a long time since I had it done, so I cant remember exactly how long)

3 days later the vet comes out and AIs them.
Thats it.

Just watch them 28 days later to make sure they took, if not pen the ones that are cycling and have them re-inseminated.

Probably looking at 2 or 3 hundred dollars for the vet, plus the cost of semen. I'd be it will be under 600 dollars from start to finish to breed your whole herd. (I'm guessing yall have 15 or so cows)

[Dusty Britches]

Yeah, we have about 15 cows. Much, much less than before the drought. $600 is a lot less than a bull right now, too. And one more year without a bull to feed would suit my just fine.

[kfd82]

Yeah, we have about 15 cows. Much, much less than before the drought. $600 is a lot less than a bull right now, too. And one more year without a bull to feed would suit my just fine.

Last time I had hefiers AI'd was over 10 years ago so the money may be different now, but I know it will be cheaper than leasing or buying a bull.

Call your vet and see what he says. Even if he doesnt do it he will know someone who does.

[DeadeyeDeb]

Get with Hogdude1234, I believe he does AI.

How many head we talking?

I was going to suggest this. He can probably answer most of your questions. I was involved in AI with dairy cows, but, that was 30 some years ago. Alot different for beef animals and the time that has passed I am sure.

[Bill's Unlimited]

I used to help a buddy AI his father's herd. He took some classes, and is not rocket scientist and was able to get it done.

Depending on the bull the samples could be pricey, but I'm sure you can find that on the internet.

Not a lot of investment - nitrogen milk tank to store the samples and some long gloves...

I seem to remember he would use something to put them all into cycle at the same time.

[mjbtexas]

Ask Skinny, Hogdude1234

they do alot

[Dusty Britches]

I have 3 heifers, the rest are 4-12 years old, average age of 7. The oldest and her daugher are my top producers and will consistently get pregnant and put the most ADG on calves. but I digress...

[Brett C]

Very time consuming ! Get a bull. Imo

[sierracharlie338]

I had some heifers bred when I raised show calves and AI worked very well. I wouldn't try doing it urself though. I had my vet come out and perform the proceedure and never had any problems.

[Hawkins]

I used to help a buddy AI his father's herd. He took some classes, and is not rocket scientist and was able to get it done.

Depending on the bull the samples could be pricey, but I'm sure you can find that on the internet.

Not a lot of investment - nitrogen milk tank to store the samples and some long gloves...

I seem to remember he would use something to put them all into cycle at the same time.

Probably a shot of lutalyse.

[pse matt]

Sexting technologies.com
Navasota tx