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Post by Sherry on Apr 18, 2009 20:09:24 GMT -5
Quick question... Can anyone give me their results on pasture versus AI on first time girls? Last year's hiefer is ready to breed already, born Feb 08 so time to get things rolling. I have found some amazing bulls to pick from for AI, but with this being her first, don't want to waste a lot of straws. I have put feelers out to the dairy community around here to find out who would be good to have the job done. Still have to get a stantion built to constrain her though. My other option right now is her sire.
Thanks Sherry
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Post by gwenger on Apr 20, 2009 8:57:14 GMT -5
Sherry................You mentioned the two biggest hurdles to overcome in AI work, that is a person to do it and a place to safley catch her. As far as results I have had good results with AI. It does take a little time to watch for heat and you must be ready to act when the time is right.
I watch my cattle in the morning and evening for a standing heat and breed them about 12 hours after I see them in standing heat. I guess I should ask is there another animal with her that will show you when she is in heat? If not it is more difficult to get the timing right.
There are drugs that will cycle her and you can time it by when you give her shots, I have never used this method but I am told it does work.
Good Luck!
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Post by gregpowell on Apr 20, 2009 12:22:20 GMT -5
Sherry,
I have done some research into AI but don't have any first hand experience. I can tell you that most reports put conception rates at around 50% - 60% with the first straw, so you can most likely expect to breed multiple times unless you are using a clean-up bull. I would expect that conception rates for first calf heifers would be even lower.
Following is some brief information that I have archived from my research on estrus synchronization drugs:
Prostaglandins Prostaglandins include products being marketed as Lutalyse®, Estrumate®, and Bovilene®. These products are given as injections and cause the cow to begin a new estrous cycle. They exert their effect during days 5 through 17 of the estrous cycle and have no effect during the first four days of the cycle. Therefore, cattle that are five days or less into their estrous cycle do not respond to the injection and a second injection is needed for complete synchronization.
Syncro-Mate B Syncro-Mate B is a treatment that consists of an ear implant and an injection. This treatment requires that cattle be handled first to administer the injection and insert the implant and nine days later to remove the implant. Syncro- Mate B is different from the prostaglandin treatment because it can induce estrus in heifers or cows that are not cycling. Cows may be inseminated after detection of heat or by appointment 48 to 52 hours after removal of the implant. Calf removal for 48 hours can be used to increase conception rates of nursing cows.
MGA MGA is the most recently developed heat synchronization method. It has been used to suppress heat in feedlot heifers when included in the feed. Short feeding periods with MGA combined with prostaglandin at the end of treatment might be an alternative to more expensive or laborintensive methods of synchronizing breeding females. MGA is easy to use and can induce estrus in non-cycling females. MGA is fed in a grain mix at the rate of 0.5 mg/head daily for a 14-day period. Cattle will show heat within 48 hours after MGA is removed from the feed but should not be bred on that heat. Prostaglandin should be administered 17 days after MGA withdrawal, with insemination based on heat detection.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 20, 2009 18:54:13 GMT -5
I am contemplating keeping one of my dexter bulls to use to tease the girls at this time. I have one bull that is just at a year old now and with his height, find it next to impossible for him to "make the mark" with the white girls. After reading what Greg just wrote about the MGA that is an option I may need to check into further as well. I am talking with the local dairy's to find a reputable individual to service the girls, as the closest vet wants them brought in and I know that this can lessen the chances of conception due to stress. I am also going to be either building or purchasing a full chute to handle the girls for the task. Growing up on a dairy farm, I know that even the most docile of girls can be a little unhappy when AI time comes. So much to do and yet never enough hours in the day.
Thanks guys and keep the advise coming.
Too bad my mom lives in AZ. Her and my dad did it on their dairy with good success.
Sherry
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Post by larry on Apr 20, 2009 20:50:03 GMT -5
Sherry, I A.I. all of my heifers (about 15-25) each year. I sychronize them and hope for over 50% settle rate on the first try. There is an Excel spreadsheet from Iowa State University that I use to make the process fool proof. I tell it when I want to breed the heifers and it does the rest (start feeding MGA, give shot and breed on a day by day basis). My version was free but has not been updated for the use of CIDR's. If you want the spreadsheet, let me know and I can e-mail it. Larry
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Post by Sherry on Apr 20, 2009 21:19:00 GMT -5
Hi Larry, I would love to see it. My email is cedarviewfarm@gmail.com
Thanks Sherry
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Post by christinat on Apr 29, 2009 12:53:55 GMT -5
Our experience with AI has been quite positive. We have experienced about 80 to 85% conception as long as the heifer has cycled 2-3 times before the first breeding. In cows we have experienced over 90%. If the female has good mineral balance and she's in good form, she'll easily breed the first try. I hope your breeding heifers works out as well as ours.
and for a suggestion on catching them, a 5 panel of gates with 4 well secured works okay, for an inexpensive pasture chute. Make a square with 4 and the 5th attached in 1 corner, a feed bucket or treat will get her there stress free, and a long enough chain with a quick snap behind will secure her, while holding her from backing up or jostling around. it works for catching calves, or bulls too if the need arises. We prefer a head chute, and good corrals, but not every operation is conducive to have these amenities!
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