AI 2011 pics (2)

[RSL]

The Cast and Crew - There are no pics of the tech as I can't hold a cervix and an AI gun and operate the camera at the same time.

The heat checker is now a breeding wagon

Bull bringer and power source (the mini truck has no cigarette lighter)

It has an inverted front seat

Awaiting service

How to AI a neighbour's horned heifer

The bull is turned loose (we DNA all the replacements so don't wait after AI)

After we finished, we took a few cows out to the older bunch.

Checking out an old grave while checking on a neighbour's cows

[/url]

 

[Soapweed]

Looks like you are well organized and have everything figured out, and your family is along to help. You are a fortunate fellow. I remember when our kids were about the age of yours. A wise old neighbor told me, "This is the best time of your life. Enjoy it." I will pass these words on to you, because our old neighbor was right.

 

[sic 'em reds]

Why don't you wait just a few days to turn the bulls in? Even if you get the AI semen in the sweet spot, you still stand a good chance of the bull settling the cow if he breeds soon after you AI? So why AI?

 

[per]

There sure is a lot of country behind those fashionable kids. :shock:

 

[cowsense]

RSL; What kind of a synch program did you run? The last couple of years we've just used a one shot dose of lute & AI'd after observing standing heat.......gets to be a bit of a gong show when you've got 25-30 cows clustered in all phases of standing heat! Satisfied in that we got 83 first services done on a group of 90 in just over a week.
Will know just how well it worked next spring at calving season!

 

[gcreekrch]

If you were to be paid for your time, what does it cost to AI a big group.

Never had the inkling to do it but no one has ever told me if it is cheaper than bulls.


Your country sure has grass too.

 

[RSL]

We run a pretty lax program. I heat check for 3 to 5 days and AI on standing heats. Then a single shot of estrumate, heat check for 2 days, breed everything we have missed on the third day. We turn the bull out immediately after.
We have historically (based on the DNA testing) been hitting 2/3 AI calves and running 90% or higher first cycle conception. We have used CIDRs and hit over 85% AI, but we didn't like the shots, and processing the cows that much.
I would not be paid on an hourly basis unless I had a really slow crew. Dad and I had the corral loaded with 54 head to do at 9am and were cleaning up at noon. The biggest slowdown with two people is that you have to make sure the cow is locked in before you start the process, we tag all the new heifers with a steel tag, and it takes about 45 seconds to thaw semen. (on 60 cows that accounts for 3/4 of an hour).
I am not sure how many you could do if you had a multi-chute situation and someone thawing semen for you.
I have done 120 in a long half day (7 hours) but that included rounding up 2 different bunches and 20 minutes for dinner.
The bulls we use are pretty close in profile to the AI sires we choose.
Is the AI cheaper? $20-$25 per straw in volume, plus labour. The bull is usually well over $5000. Plus I like to AI.
And yes the country does look good, although we try to never run out of grass EVER. Through the years we have found having grass (even in drought) makes running cows and kids a lot more enjoyable.

 

[Hayguy]

beautiful kid's and country RSL, looks like the mini truck has found it's niche in your operation.

 

[RSL]

beautiful kid's and country RSL, looks like the mini truck has found it's niche in your operation.

I calculated out that it is saving us between $80 and $100 a week, just doing cow chores (not including any needed pickups in town).

 

[perfecho]

I used PRIDS this year and a 10 day program, cost about $50/head, (use semen from my own bulls and a few others). Have to run cattle through chute 4 times, but not a big problem....actually easier than daily heat check. Do in groups of 20-30.Since we calve in Feb/Mar, hoping to keep thngs close together, barn holds 30. Really impressed that all cows were rubbed off and obvious in heat....will know next year conception rate, hoping 70 +%.

 

[Hayguy]

beautiful kid's and country RSL, looks like the mini truck has found it's niche in your operation.

I calculated out that it is saving us between $80 and $100 a week, just doing cow chores (not including any needed pickups in town).

is that just fuel cost's or are there other factors?

 

[RSL]

beautiful kid's and country RSL, looks like the mini truck has found it's niche in your operation.

I calculated out that it is saving us between $80 and $100 a week, just doing cow chores (not including any needed pickups in town).

is that just fuel cost's or are there other factors?

Just fuel. It gets around 60 mpg in 4x4 at cow checking, driving to/from pasture speeds. Only gets around 40mpg on the highway because it is geared so low.
Fuel here is around $1.10/litre (Around $4/gallon). With depreciation and wear/tear on the F-250 it actually saves a lot more.
The truck holds a grand total of 5 gallons if it is completely empty.
Plus it has a certain promotional value as well. :lol:

 

[WVGenetics]

RSL; What kind of a synch program did you run? The last couple of years we've just used a one shot dose of lute & AI'd after observing standing heat.......gets to be a bit of a gong show when you've got 25-30 cows clustered in all phases of standing heat! Satisfied in that we got 83 first services done on a group of 90 in just over a week.
Will know just how well it worked next spring at calving season!

I've been doing this for about three years now. Super cheap and works well. I've usually get around 2/3 of the cows to respond but I've got up to 80%. You can pick up the nonresponders if you wait 10 days and shoot them with Lute again. Really makes breeding a touch easier if you give a shot of estrogen 30 hours after lute, tightens up the response to 12 to 24 hours after estrogen...basically two breeding periods and done.