FAQs

• WHAT DO I NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHEN USING A.I?
  The missing or limiting ingredient in implementing a successful A.I program is often in the area of management. The use of A.I requires a sound management program. When establishing an effective A.I program, a step by step approached may be the best plan of attack. Some of the factors to be considered are: Implementation of a sound and efficient record keeping system; A sound nutrition program; Well-designed, strong cattle handling facilities; A sound, effective herd health program; Accurate heat detection; A knowledgeable, well trained A.I. Technician.
• HOW SOON SHOULD WE BREED A COW BACK AFTER A 7 MONTH ABORTION?
  Here we can immediately say, it would depend on what caused the abortion. In diseases like trichomoniasis and vibriosis we know cows need about 90 days more to overcome the infections .The virus abortions may take less time .If the cow cleans normally and no infectious agents are diagnosed, the return of the uterus to normal should be about the same in a 7 month abortion as with a 9 month pregnancy.
• WHEN SHOULD COWS BE INSEMINATED?
  The traditional a.m./p.m. recommendation works best with twice daily observations but may not provide the best conception rates because several cows will be bred too long after the onset of estrus, so the chance for successful fertilization may be missed. The exact onset of estrus is usually unknown. For example, according to the a.m./p.m. guideline, a cow beginning estrus at 1 a.m. and observed in estrus at 6 a.m. would be bred approximately 18 hours after the onset of estrus. Breeding cows at this time would reduce the number of cows that become pregnant. Cows should be inseminated within four to 16 hours of observed estrus when the precise onset of estrus is known. If estrous detection is conducted twice daily, most cows should be within this time period. However, a single mid-morning insemination of cows that have been observed in estrus the same morning or the previous evening should provide acceptable conception rates
• WHY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IS PREFERED?
  • It is the best method of changing the animal's genetic potential in shorter time. It is easier for a farmer keeping indigenous cows to select among exotic bulls for cross-breeding his herd to obtain crosses which will survive well and become more productive under the existing environment. • A.I is the best way of controlling cattle reproductive diseases such as Brucellosis, Vibriosis, Leptospirosis and Trichomoniasis. These diseases are transmitted by infected bulls during natural mating and causes big economic loss to farmers by causing infertility, abortion and delayed conception • Costs and risks associated with keeping bulls are avoided. • Farmers has a wider range to select a bull of interest within and among breeds. • Fast genetic progress can be realized and a single bull can serve many cows (one bull can produce up to 100,000 doses which can be used even after bull`s death and also there is no need of trekking a cow to find the bull.
• WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION?
  Artificial Insemination is the process of introducing viable semen (sperm and seminal fluid) into the female reproductive tract without involving direct contact between male and female.