AI basics - For Virgin Dexter owners

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Mon May 16, 2005 8:55 am

Can someone who is a regular user of AI for Dexters please provide the basic details (and pitfalls) of how this is organised. Cost and effectiveness too. And are there any polled bulls in the scheme.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Tue May 17, 2005 7:46 pm

I rarely use AI so probably not the best person to reply. Perhaps others who use it regularly may join in!!

In UK semen is available through the Dexter Cattle Society for a number of bulls as listed in the Bulletin or on the website. You need to find out the exact name and address of the AI centre who will send out the inseminator, and specify that when you order the semen. There are now quite a number of bulls available privately, they mostly advertise in the bulletin and you will see the supplier's contact details there. There is usually a charge per straw or per two straws plus a delivery charge.

The delivery takes a variable time depending on location of the main store and where you are, and if several tank transfers are needed it can take some time, several weeks is the norm. For this reason it is usual to order more than you think you will need since if the cow or heifer returns it will take more than 3 weeks to get more supplies and valuable time is lost.

In the past I have not been impressed with the settling rate, even though I think I am at least as good as average intelling when a cow is on, and our local AI service is extremely good at coming when asked, usually choice of times in the day available, which I know is not the case in most areas. Over the years my average AI settling rate is about 33%.

For a nice wee picture guide to service times see
http://pdca-one.blogspot.com it has something interesting every day and today it just happens to be when to serve a cow.

Duncan

Issy · Post by **Issy** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:10 pm

Thank you for the direction to that site - it was really informative. As a new dexter owner - We collected our first four only a week ago it is dawning rapidly on us that there is a steep learning curve infront of us and that our dexters alough already settled in are already changing the best made plans. We originaly planned to call out the AI man when necessary but are now arranging to have a friendly bull on loan as AI in our area is 50 pounds a shot to us whereas the farmer next door gets charged 14 for the same service as he has more cows. We have come to the conclucion that provided we get our fencing finished on time ( we are relying on old hedges and electric fencing until August when we have the time to put up stock fencing) it is going to be the safest and most cost effective way ahead.

This is a brilliant site by the way for complete cow novices!!

Jo Kemp · Post by **Jo Kemp** » Wed May 18, 2005 12:06 am

Although we have stock fencing, we really rely on electric as the ordinary fencing is rather old and a bit wobbly in places. All the cattle respect electric.
We used AI for 2 years then hired a bull and now have our own fellow(s). AI was reasonably inexpensive IF and it is a big 'if' they took first time. One did and the other didn't. It really depends on the timing but also each bull/cow mating has a different timing - one bull will catch the cow and another (if done by AI) won't. Very irritating especially if, as in our case, the dexter bull semen didn't and the later hereford semen did!
Polled bulls - we use horned bulls but have the calves disbudded a few weeks after birth. When I was young AGES ago there was a pencil which was run around the bud and it didn't develop. I cannot find it now but am told it exists! Don't touch the paste which burns through the buds, my vet says it must hurt and anyway, the cows tend to lick it off leaving cows with crumpled horns (which tossed the dog that worried the cat that killed the rat that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built)

Jo

Sylvia · Post by **Sylvia** » Wed May 18, 2005 4:45 pm

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't look as if AI is likely to be suitable for my herd but I'm trying to look at all angles. We do have a really good cow vet, Jo, who disbuds our calves (who need it) and we've had to have kids disbudded for years. But it seems better to me to avoid it if poss which is why polled animals seem so attractive.

John Flight · Post by **John Flight** » Fri May 20, 2005 12:49 pm

Sylvia
Please forgive my getting involved as I am fairly new at keeping Dexters & therefore not very experienced at using the AI process. I have been very interested in learning from other peoples comments ref AI & to be honest can not fault anything that has been said. I do however, with all due respect think that one fairly important point has been missed out. That is the fact that by using AI it is possible to pick your bull. You can choose those traits you feel would improve your stock even though the actual animal may no longer be available. You can also now apparently choose a bull that doesn't carry the bulldog gene. These are just a couple of possibilities. There are obviously other very valid reasons both for & against. Regards John

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Sat May 21, 2005 4:51 pm

John, I do agree with you about being able to pick your bulls. Where I live, the main bull is the father of my two cows. I used AI the first time and had never had any previous experience detecting heat. One cow took on the first try and her daughter (first time calver) on the second. The daughter never shows standing heat so I just have to guess. Last year I was able to borrow a bull but I was NOT comfortable with him on my farm. He did a great job (didn't get the 15 month heifer pregnant though!) but I think I will stick with AI. Besides, the bull may be unavailable now anyways.

Here, AI service is around $30.00 and the straws about $40.00. I built a simple "cattle crush" from old lumber and it does the job of holding the cows safely in place for the AI.
Cheaper with a bull but easier on my nerves and more choice of genetics.

Kathy