Post Oak
Well-known member
Is AI feasible during the summer months in South Carolina or will it be a futile endeavor? Ebenezer, have you have any experience with AI during the summer here?
AI in SC during summer?
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Not that I"m from your area but it all depends on what you term "futile". Will some get bred? Probably. Will your hit rate drop with the heat? Probably. First is whether or not they will conceive in the heat but the other is whether or not you'll see them mounting each other in the heat. They may more frequently tend to just plain not move.
Ebenezer
Well-known member
We AI in late April in years when we AI. #1 big item is feed and feed quality. If feed is great (especially adequate energy) it will have better success any time of year. Judge that on good: cows gaining weight and bad: cows holding own or losing weight. To make sure be supplementing 2 weeks prior and some beyond. Is a bigger concern to me if semen is rare or expensive. Energy is a concern in summer grazing unless you do more than basic perennials.
Shade access and low stress would be critical both getting ready, doing AI work and for multiple weeks after to minimize stress and get embryos attached.
Decent and correct minerals are key. Nothing to do with this so a drift: changed source of "high quality" minerals this year. Have a cow sired by an odd outside AI bull that breeds like a clock, raises a nice calf and has fuzzy hair like no other one here. I tolerate her because of her fertility and calf quality. This year, she is slick as a peeled onion. Hot summer, drought, armyworms, all - difference is minerals.
Other #1 issue
would be if cattle are environmentally adapted. Hair, BSC, and such will tell the tale. Here we fight the double battle of climate and fescue base so that is just what I experience. Read up on Bonsma traits really helps. But like it has been said, expect lower % merely due to temperatures. Sorry to be no help.
Shade access and low stress would be critical both getting ready, doing AI work and for multiple weeks after to minimize stress and get embryos attached.
Decent and correct minerals are key. Nothing to do with this so a drift: changed source of "high quality" minerals this year. Have a cow sired by an odd outside AI bull that breeds like a clock, raises a nice calf and has fuzzy hair like no other one here. I tolerate her because of her fertility and calf quality. This year, she is slick as a peeled onion. Hot summer, drought, armyworms, all - difference is minerals.
Other #1 issue
would be if cattle are environmentally adapted. Hair, BSC, and such will tell the tale. Here we fight the double battle of climate and fescue base so that is just what I experience. Read up on Bonsma traits really helps. But like it has been said, expect lower % merely due to temperatures. Sorry to be no help.Post Oak
Well-known member
If I did it, it would be timed AI. I would consider 50% and up conception rate a success for that time of year. Ebenezer, do you know any AI techs in our neck of the woods that don't work for the major semen companies?
Ebenezer
Well-known member
Our vet is very good with a dairy background, a lot of experience and a practical approach. She also recommended a change in standard textbook TAI protocol that she knows improves conception rates. The uniform care of the cows would be best with TAI, no doubt. Don't remember how far you are from Anderson so that might be the hitch or she might know others.
