Artificial Insemination - How do we go about it!

[oliver1921]

We have a predominantly non-short breeding stock and a short bull (c-carrier) happily doing what he does best. We do however have one short cow who is now ready for breeding and we were wondering about AI as an option rather than wait for spring when we have been offered the opportunity to run her with another herd and their non-short bull. The other option is of course to fatten her up for beef and not put her to the bull. Two questions - how do we go about the AI option and secondly for the hassle and commercially would fattening be better. All advice welcomed.

[Martin]

Hi Oliver,
with smaller herds it is difficult to keep a range of animals, especially if you have a short bull. Because I'm stupid and always being told to keep it simple, that is what I try to do. I have all non short cows and a non short bull. I am not into Dexters for show, I am breeding for beef therfore am not too concerned if my animals are a little big as far as Dexters go. In your position I would certainly out the short as it complicates things for you, your other alternative is to get a non short bull. Its all down to personal choice, do what suits you.

[ann]

Hi A.I. can work out quite expensive when you only have one animal to serve, also heifers can often be quite difficult to catch on the right day.

Whether to fatten her for beef or send her of to someone elses bull in the spring, you are still going to have to keep her seperate from your bull, my suggestion would be if you don't want to keep her, if to halter train her over the winter and if she is a nice heifer, put her in calf in the spring and sell her in calf

I don't think it really matters which length of leg one has, if you only have one bull you are going to get problems any way as unless you change your bull every year or only have steer calves you are still going to have to serve your heifers with anohter bull and keep them seperate from 4months onwards.

JMHO

Ann :p :p :p

[oliver1921]

Am I right in thinking that 'short' steers and heifers fatten quicker, if so about how long do they need - finished outside year round in well sheltered lowland grass with silage over the winter.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Oliver, I don't know where you are but over here in Canada, AI is a pretty inexpensive alternative to keeping and feeding a bull. I would find out if your local techs carry Dexter straws or if you would have to order specifically (which could get pricey), how much services of the tech would be etc. After that you can decide which way is best for you financially, AI, fatten etc. If your choice is AI the rest is not too difficult. Run your cows together seperatly from you bull and watch their behaviour. When the heifer comes into heat, she will try to mount the other cow. When she is in standing heat or ready to be bred, the other cow will mount her. About twelve hours later, your tech should come and inseminate her. For that she needs to be baled up or halter tied. Usually the tech service will 'talk' you through the best AI time etc. Still this is in Canada so I don't know how it works anywhere else. Tech service I mean....the cow stuff is probably the same! LOL Good Luck, Liz

[Peter thornton]

Don't forget that your cow is probably quite saleable, if at all a decent animal. There's usually a premium for a short.

There's a sale at York in the Spring and (of course) you should try this website.

[Jo Kemp]

I agree with Elisabeth - AI is relatively inexpensive in a small herd as you will want to keep animals together. If you use a bull, the cows with heifer calves at foot will have to be in another field most of the time.
AI - Genus is the countrywide firm with various others dotted around the country. Give your Field advisor a call re local picture.
If you find it difficult to notice the standing heat she can be injected by vet and AI booked 72 hours (I think) later ... I too like heifers to have a bull the first time but wouldn't gamble with short to short but you have already decided that
Bull service costs about £25 and AI, without use of vet runs about £30 - £40 - anyone else with more accurate figures?
Jo

[Dexter Happy]

If one wishes to purchase semen, is there a list available, ( and where) as to what is available for purchase? Do individual breeders market their semen or is there a central holding location?

[Elizabeth]

In Canada, the Association advertises Dexter bulls for AI. The individual (what do you call these places!?) Gencor, Semex etc also will tell you what they have available. I would try your association first. Liz

[Martin]

Oliver,
Take the easy option, sell it or eat it. Whats the point of owning a bull and not being able to use it on ONE of your cows. A short heifer should finish before 24 months and as soon as 16 months, if you decide to take that route. Maybe someone out there is looking for a short in exchange for a non short? Whatever course of action you take, don't complicate things where your animals are concerned, your bull can detect heat beter than you, so let him do the job.

[Issy]

Straws can be bought through the dexter cattle society (£18 for two ), if you are a member and the list of bulls available is in the bulletin sent out quarterly. In somerset it costs aprox £20 to call out genus and we have found them very helpful. both our heifers appear to have cought first time - fingers crossed! hope that helps.

[Jo Kemp]

The Society bulletin has adverts re semen availability and details of the various animals may be obtained from the owners.

Jo

[Martin]

So there you are oliver 1 cow £30 -£40 a time for the AI man, it could take three attempts to get her in calf unless you are very lucky. Time off work to be there when the AI man arrives. So not a cheap option then, especially when you have your own bull! I hear the freezer calling.

[moomin]

You may obtain semen privately from owners or from the society.
I have some semen for sale and I have just reduced the price. I have been concerned at the high cost of society fees, which was discussed at the A.G.M., and the costs of genus inseminations, so I have decided to "put my money where my mouth is" to help the breed!
I am offering "Moomin Jupiter", black, tested non-carrier and DNA parent verified, [dam was a Royal show champion and supreme champion at the first Dexter World Congress]
and "Donardgrange Rob", red, tested non-carrier, pure Knotting breeding, bred in Northern Ireland, for £6.00 per dose plus handling.
Handling is to transfer the semen from the isolation facility where it is stored to the inseminators flask, about £2.50 to Genus and then Genus charges an insemination fee. Some of my semen is stored with Midland Breeders and with Western A.I. which charges much less for insemination service. It depends where you live.
You have to register with Genus and then you 'phone the technician when you see your cow bulling and they will come out that day or early the next day - you have a wider window than with a bull because the semen is delivered into the cervix - it doesn't have to travel so far!
I don't want to put my 'phone number on the message board as I might get some odd calls because I am selling semen!!!
I was in our farm shop once and a call came through which a very attractive young assistant took. She called me to say somebody wanted to buy some semen. We had a young man in the shop at the time, a new customer, and he couldn't get out fast enough. We haven't seen him since - he must have wondered what on earth we were doing up here. We now say "straws" instead of "semen"!
You can email me via this board or look me up in the herd book.
Di

[Kathy Millar]

My husband gets a kick out of Mike, the AI man. Calls him Daphne's (or Polly's) boyfriend!

I seem to have trouble getting one of my cows to take with AI and it looks as though I may be on service number 3 which is starting to push up the price. The bull, on the other hand, had no trouble at all so at least I know she is functioning!

Kathy :laugh: