Getting the most out of an AI program

3+ MONTHS PRIOR TO PROGRAM

Ensure:

•   You have a clear breeding objective for the season/s ahead and realistic expectations
  •   Identify which females you will use –
    •   Ensure yearling heifers are sufficiently mature
    •   Ensure first calvers are in BCS 3+ at calving
    •   Ensure cows are minimum 60 days post calving
    •   Ensure ALL females are not pregnant to rogue bulls
  •   Cattle are on a rising plane of nutrition to be in at least BCS 3 at AI; supplement if necessary
  •   Cattle have been vaccinated against diseases that cause reproductive loss. Most importantly Pestivirus and Leptospirosis and possibly Vibrio.
•   Identify resources needed eg labour, semen, synchronisation hormones and equipment.
•   Book an experienced cattle vet or AI technician if you are not experienced yourself. A list of service providers can be found at www.repro360.com.au/about/directory

2 MONTHS PRIOR TO PROGRAM

•   Book in program with your vet or AI technician.
•   Choose genetics. If semen is to be sourced externally, organise with your provider.
•   If semen is average to low in price, FTAI generally results in more pregnancies and is often more cost effective to produce AI calves.
•   If semen is expensive or rare consider the following to get the best value out of every semen straw used: extra measures such as aided heat detection ultrasound scan at AI to ensure the cow has responded adequately to the program
•   Check yards are in good order with a crush and vetbox.

1 MONTH PRIOR TO PROGRAM 

• Finalise protocol/s including any re-synchronisation.
  • Ensure key dates are in your calendar
  • Set phone reminders
•  Order synchronisation hormones, necessary needles and syringes and accessories (gloves, lubricant, paper towel etc if needed).
•  Have a plan to ensure selected semen is on-farm before synchronisation starts.
• Check all females are empty (pregnancies generally abort from the program hormones & these cows cannot be bred to AI resulting in a major reduction in AI program success rate and a setback in your herd’s fertility).
• Ensure all bulls are secure, or have a plan to secure your females during synchronisation.
• Check nutrition (quality and quantity) – supplement if required.

1 WEEK PRIOR TO PROGRAM

•   Ensure feed and water set up in or near yards and holding paddocks are secure.
•   Ensure synchronisation hormones have arrived on site and adhere to cold chain storage as required.
•   Ensure semen will arrive on site in a timely manner, if it is not already there.

TIME OF AI

•   Ensure the stock handling team understand the job and the program.
•   If using heat detection, dedicate the necessary time to watch females (min 45 mins, twice daily and not during heat of the day).
•   Maintain cold chain – important to keep hormones in fridge/esky with ice pack and out of direct sunlight until ready to use and during use. In the hotter months, even room temperature hormones could be at risk.
•   Use utmost hygiene when inserting devices, change needles regularly.
•   Look after your cattle – ensure good quality hay, clean water and ideally shade are available. Energy is key for reproductive performance.

POST AI

• Put into place your re-synchrony program if this is the path chosen.
• Make sure bulls are kept well clear for first 10 days. Put the mop up bulls in from 10 days after AI (if not re-synchronising), calculate no. needed carefully and make sure they have passed a Bull Examination).
• Ensure cattle are kept on a rising plane of nutrition – target BCS 3.5+ at calving.
• Book in your pregnancy diagnosis as early as 6 weeks and up to 12 weeks to ensure you can differentiate conceptions to AI or to the bull.