Spring breeding got underway on May Day, slightly later than last year. I have been finding the gestation length has shortened every year, presumably because of advances in EBI fertility. January calvers are in the way of my autumn breeding and usually are too early to start grazing.

I took the Friesian stock bull to the heifers on the farthest out-block of land. On the way, I had booked him in for a fertility test in Riverview Vet Clinic. I had a bad experience a few years ago when a previous bull failed to serve any cow during what was to be a four week clean-up period. This will be my current bull’s last season so as not to have any inbreeding.

The heifers seemed curious at first as to who was the new resident. He didn’t waste much time with introductions, getting to work straight away.

I got to work straight away with the cows too. AI season is second busiest to calving and takes up some serious time. I use tail paint - just basic emulsion in whatever colour I find. It is easy to apply every three days during milking with a long handled mini paint roller. I don’t rely on it completely, observation is vital. The best times I find are when driving in the herd for milking and as soon as the collecting yard is filled.

I’m a firm believer in keeping things simple during milking. All freeze brands to be drafted are written on the whiteboard. Any culls seen bulling are also noted, just to “eliminate them from enquiries”. Writing it all up is useful too when there are two regular milkers, sometimes we may not meet in-between so all the info is there whoever turns up.

I do DIY AI and just like milking I try to reduce distractions. All equipment including the flask, tweezers, scissors, sheaths, gloves and rods are in a purpose made bin. I also invested in an electric thawer so the water is at 37 degrees at all times. Then I fastened a holder on the side of the crush to hold the gel bottle so that’s always to hand too.

All that’s to be done now is to keep the head up watching the cows. Anything missed will definitely not be in calf. No pressure.