AI on cows you don't see often

[Anonymous]

Doing some planning and thinking.
Of you guys that lease land, how many AI?
I would assume it would have to be a timed AI.
On a commercial cow calf herd is it worth it? Or just run the best bulls you can afford?

 

[SSGenetics]

Hook, are you wanting to breed for replacements, sale barn, or both?

 

[Anonymous]

Pots to feeder operations most likely once calving season has been tightened up and can estaish some uniformity. Until then most likely uniform groups of 15-20

 

[SSGenetics]

Id say just buy the best bull you can and cover them live.

Maybe in the future, if you see a few cows you would like to keep some heifers out of, bring them home and AI them.... :2cents:

 

[3waycross]

I would time breed the whole bunch and turn the bull out the next day. You would be amazed how tight your calving window would get.

 

[SSGenetics]

Hook, will you have the facilities to AI them at the lease property, or would you have to bring them home?

 

[Anonymous]

3way, tht is what I was thinking. Doing a timed AI and then running good terminals on top.
That's a good question ssg, we are getting a portable squeeze to drag around to the different leases. So far 3 and counting. Already picked up corral panels.

 

[cow pollinater]

I had to turn bulls out :bang: . Where I'm at I might not even be able to find them all much less get a clean gather. I do run my spring herd 100% AI and make my own bulls so I'm still choosing my genetics.
How are you planning to gather? The problem that I see you running into is cattle getting sour bieng run through the chute for syncronization shots and by the time breeding day rolls around they're getting wise to you and you're going to have to cowboy up to get them in.

 

[Anonymous]

I had to turn bulls out :bang: . Where I'm at I might not even be able to find them all much less get a clean gather. I do run my spring herd 100% AI and make my own bulls so I'm still choosing my genetics.
How are you planning to gather? The problem that I see you running into is cattle getting sour bieng run through the chute for syncronization shots and by the time breeding day rolls around they're getting wise to you and you're going to have to cowboy up to get them in.

Isn't that a concern on all animals? Running them thru the chute to the point they get shy?
Home or on a lease, they still have to be run thru the same # of times.
Although I see your point, if I spend enough time around them and corralling them into the portable panels they should be just as shy as any other group, right ?

 

[Dave]

you're going to have to cowboy up

That "cowboying up" isn't as much fun as it once was. The toes on my right foot are reminding me right now how much fun "cowboying up" was on Tuesday.

 

[bigbull338]

since your going to have cattle here there an everywhere id buy the best bulls i could afford an let them breed the cows.youd get sick of setting up the corrals an squeeze chute daily at every farm.not to mention hauling the semen jugg wich isnt good on the jugg.

 

[cow pollinater]

Isn't that a concern on all animals? Running them thru the chute to the point they get shy?
Home or on a lease, they still have to be run thru the same # of times.
Although I see your point, if I spend enough time around them and corralling them into the portable panels they should be just as shy as any other group, right ?

Yes... But if you're dealing with a larger parcel like the big one you picked up it becomes alot more challenging. Also, when you don't see them everyday they won't be the same pet cattle that came off the trailer. My spring herd is made of registered cows and most of them are halterbroke show cows but they run in the hills through winter and I have to watch my back for awhile when I haul them home in the spring... It takes awhile to get settled back in.

 

[cow pollinater]

you're going to have to cowboy up

That "cowboying up" isn't as much fun as it once was. The toes on my right foot are reminding me right now how much fun "cowboying up" was on Tuesday.

Tell me about it. I spent the last three days on the mountain and I can point out every major muscle group that is used to ride a horse but not used for breeding a cow. :nod: I had to rope two steers and my arm sounded like I was eating rice crispies with every swing.

 

[fitz]

I have cattle on rented property. I wouldn't consider anything but a Bull. Moving him in and out is how I regulate calving. But then again, I'm just a commercial producer.

Buying cows and placing them on property they aren't accustomed to then trying to gather them and work thru temporary corral panels in the middle of a field could turn into a real rodeo. If not anchored well they'll move 'em. I'm just not young enough for that kinda fun anymore.

If I had cows I wanted to AI it would be done at home with better working facilities. The rest would be under a Bull.


fitz

 

[Anonymous]

You guys are hitting on the reasons that I was thinking of also. Easier to gather and move a bull or 3 than it is to gather, sync and AI a whole group of cows you don't see and interact with often.
I may still seperate some easier to handle ones ino a core group for AI reasons.
Thanks for the input and keep it coming

 

[Stocker Steve]

I would time breed the whole bunch and turn the bull out the next day. You would be amazed how tight your calving window would get.

Is there an advantage if you sync them with the strips, but then still breed on observed heat using the patches - - rather than time breed?

 

[Anonymous]

How can you do an observed heat AI on cows you dont out eyes in everyday??????

 

[3waycross]

I would time breed the whole bunch and turn the bull out the next day. You would be amazed how tight your calving window would get.

Is there an advantage if you sync them with the strips, but then still breed on observed heat using the patches - - rather than time breed?

We do both. But anything that comes in between the shots gets bred every day.!

 

[double v]

protocal your cows getting them in and turn 2 bulls in per group, might be a little easier on the pocketbook with the same results. at 20$ A STRAW and shots syncing them a couple extra bulls gives you a chance to mix and match your herd for at least 4-5 years.

 

[Ilikesteak]

Many factors should be considered when planning to AI or not. But never has the opportunity been better for adding dollars to your bottomline with a successful AI program. Timed AI and following up immediately with bulls for cleanup seems to be your best bet if AI is in your plans.A heavier and more consistent calf crop along with tightening up calving are benefits hard to overlook. Our AI rep explains benefits of timed AI this way. "How would you like to have over half of your cows pregnant the first day of breeding season"?
Think about it.