The key point in achieving high conception rates to AI is attaining high heat detection rates.
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Many early autumn-calving herds around the country have started breeding in the last week. Cows bred this week will calve in mid-August 2018.
While a good deal of autumn herds will have used stock bulls when cows were outdoors, as cows are housed, it could be an opportunity to try some AI.
Using a highly reliable bull with a high replacement index may give the option of keeping some heifer calves as replacements next year from highly proven AI bulls.
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If using AI sires, use a number of sires as this will increase the overall reliability of the team of bulls.
Heat detection
The key point in achieving high conception rates to AI is attaining high heat detection rates.
Cows will not express heat as well when indoors, especially on slippery surfaces like concrete or slats. Heat activity will increase where cows have access to a straw-bedded area or open yard.
Heat detection aids such as tail paint or the use of a vasectomised bull are also very important in picking up cows in heat.
Check cows a couple of times a day if you can. Be safety conscious when moving cows from slatted pens to the crush and yard area. Best conception rates will be achieved by inseminating cows between 12 and 18 hours after standing heat.
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Many early autumn-calving herds around the country have started breeding in the last week. Cows bred this week will calve in mid-August 2018.
While a good deal of autumn herds will have used stock bulls when cows were outdoors, as cows are housed, it could be an opportunity to try some AI.
Using a highly reliable bull with a high replacement index may give the option of keeping some heifer calves as replacements next year from highly proven AI bulls.
If using AI sires, use a number of sires as this will increase the overall reliability of the team of bulls.
Heat detection
The key point in achieving high conception rates to AI is attaining high heat detection rates.
Cows will not express heat as well when indoors, especially on slippery surfaces like concrete or slats. Heat activity will increase where cows have access to a straw-bedded area or open yard.
Heat detection aids such as tail paint or the use of a vasectomised bull are also very important in picking up cows in heat.
Check cows a couple of times a day if you can. Be safety conscious when moving cows from slatted pens to the crush and yard area. Best conception rates will be achieved by inseminating cows between 12 and 18 hours after standing heat.
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