AI question...

[jmbadavis]

We are new to beef. We have 2 heifers. One, red angus, calved for the first time this spring, no troubles, wonderful mom. The other had her second calf this spring, no problems. We want to breed both of the again. This AI stuff is all new to us. How are we going to know when they are in heat? When they ride each other, is the one on the bottom in heat? or the one on top? What is the time period that they need to be AI'ed? We would like late APril calves, so we need to be AIing them soon. I have heard of other people inserting this thing in the heifer, leaving it in for 7 days, taking it out then giving her a shot one day and AIing the next. Does anyone give their heifer shots to bring them into heat?

 

[milkmaid]

The cow that is standing to be ridden is the one in heat. AI 12 hours after standing heat.

Synchronizing is an option for folks who'd rather not spend the time heat detecting. Some feel it yields a lower conception rate, other folks feel it's about the same as natural heats. I haven't done enough one way or the other to have an opinion.

There's several different synch programs; the one you've heard about involves a CIDR that's inserted vaginally and releases progesterone while it's inside the cow (7 days). I believe the CIDR synch program can be used for timed-breeding - ie no heat detection work necessary.

Lutalyse is commonly used for bringing a cow into heat - they'll be in standing heat 24-72 hours after the shot. You would have to watch for heats if you were just using Lute. Lute can be combined with GnRH for a timed-breeding program called Ovasynch, or (I think) with ECP for Heatsynch.

 

[TxCoUnTrYbOy]

At work they use these patches that you stick just on their tailhead. It is a heat detecting patch. They have a red border and silver middle. When the silver turns red, that means they are in standing heat. If it stays silver, their not ready.

 

[alabama]

This system works best for me.
http://www.absglobal.com/tech_serv/sync ... CIDR.phtml

 

[milkmaid]

At work they use these patches that you stick just on their tailhead. It is a heat detecting patch. They have a red border and silver middle. When the silver turns red, that means they are in standing heat. If it stays silver, their not ready.

Probably a Kamar. It's activated by pressure - aka a "ride".

 

[dun]

At work they use these patches that you stick just on their tailhead. It is a heat detecting patch. They have a red border and silver middle. When the silver turns red, that means they are in standing heat. If it stays silver, their not ready.

Probably a Kamar. It's activated by pressure - aka a "ride".

This is what he's talking abour

http://www.estrusalert.net/

 

[smallrancher]

Yes, I have used the cidr program successfully several times. It involves the insert you talk about. Looks like a Y. Day one insert the cidr and give to cc of GNRH. Day 8 remove cidr and give 5cc lutalyse. 60 hours after the lutalyse you should breed and give another 2cc of GNRH. Keep in mind Day 8 activities should be done at the same time as was done on day 1. No heat detection and it costs me about $27 plus semen cost, to me it is alot cheaper than keeping a bull since I don't have a lot of cows.