The final day of the 10 week breeding season started with one straw left in the flask and two cows repeating. I was trying to decide if I should split the straw or call my AI man for backup. It was the second repeat for both cows so would it be safer to have a full straw each to ensure maximum chance of conception?

I had never tried splitting a straw before and I was worried if neither cow held I’d be blaming myself for a wasted straw and two wasted opportunities.

My intention is to sell the late calvers next spring. I will have a surplus and it will help to tighten my calving pattern. There is obviously a bigger market for February calvers, but there are always buyers at the end of the season. Ideal for a herd short of housing, or a replacement for an injury.

Online disussion group

I needed advice so I contacted my instant online discussion group, otherwise known as Twitter.

I know there are times it is better to take the advice given with a very generous pinch of salt. Replies can vary between dangerous and absurd. The plausible sounding ones really need to be treated with caution, especially those coming from the resident “characters”.

Split and don’t split

Responses were equally divided between split and don’t split. A few had been successful splitting straws. Others preferred to give the best chance possible for conception with a full straw, especially at the end of the season.

I was told to cull both cows if I had enough replacements without them. It would reduce the time spent messing with a couple of late calves. Others told me late calves would use up any waste milk and usually make good money for only a little extra work.

Whichever decision I take has the potential to work out correct depending on circumstances. I was thinking of putting the straw on one of the cows.

It was then the conversation got really interesting regarding crossbreeding versus EBI versus Holstein. So interesting in fact that I suddenly realised I had forgotten to close the crush gate. The two cows were happily grazing and my straw was safe in the flask.

Decision made thanks to social media!

Ten weeks of AI finished up with one spare straw and two cows to start the cull list.