boondocks
Well-known member
We had the vet out today to do preg checks on 3 cows that we re-AI'd in November. (These are the ones that didn't take on AI done last fall). All AI's were 7 day synch protocol with CIDRs. Of the 3, NONE took. They are all Angus and one already had her first calf last summer. The other two are heifers, about 2 years old or a bit shy of that. (One of the 2 young ones we actually tried AI three times. Usually I only give 2 chances but our AI timing on our first synch was off by several hours, so that one was on us).
On these 3, vet can find no structural problems. All 3 come from registered Angus with good breeding histories. I am thinking one of the following may be to blame:
1. Problems with the synch protocol or administration thereof. Bad batch of hormones or improper administration or timing? Seems unlikely. And the November synch timing was literally by-the-book; AI tech did not notice any issues with any not in being in heat at the time of AI. (We did not use heat detection patches--isn't the whole point of timed AI that they should be in heat at the appointed hour?)
2. AI tech had a bad day. Hey, it happens. But he's pretty experienced. (Still, zero of 3???). Keep in mind: I realize that AI conception rates are not 100% or even 70% usually (and that some estimates are more like 50%, even less). I also know that a 50% estimate doesn't mean you get 50% every time: you may have 100% one time and 0% the next--theoretically. But 0% ain't cuttin' it. Can AI techs miss by that much sometimes, even when the cow is in heat? The heifer we've AI'd 3x has had good strong heats each time, just never took.
3. Mineral deficiency? I remember a thread (maybe branguscowgirl) saying they'd culled some for infertility then realized there was a (selenium?) deficiency. Is that worth looking into? How do you test for it (blood I assume?)--does vet do or can you do by ear card? We have them on free choice good loose minerals with selenium though...Other other mineral or related issues that can impact fertility?
Any other factors to consider beside the above 3 categories? All are in good condition, not too heavy, otherwise healthy...VERY FRUSTRATED. We have 4 pregnancies to show for 13 AI procedures (30%). More to the point, we have a few that just don't seem to want to breed on AI. Dollars to donuts a cleanup bull would've done the trick but we're not set up (in terms of fences or experience) for one. In the past we've been able to send one off to visit a friend's bull if need be, but we can't really rely on that for half the herd.
Going forward, we will slaughter the one that got 3 chances in a few months. The other 2 I'm debating giving one final chance in a couple months, only because if they take, they will be on the spring calving schedule we're trying to work back towards (from June-July). The fact that we have this many having a hard time getting bred tells me it may not be their fault. Fair assessment????? THANKS!!!
On these 3, vet can find no structural problems. All 3 come from registered Angus with good breeding histories. I am thinking one of the following may be to blame:
1. Problems with the synch protocol or administration thereof. Bad batch of hormones or improper administration or timing? Seems unlikely. And the November synch timing was literally by-the-book; AI tech did not notice any issues with any not in being in heat at the time of AI. (We did not use heat detection patches--isn't the whole point of timed AI that they should be in heat at the appointed hour?)
2. AI tech had a bad day. Hey, it happens. But he's pretty experienced. (Still, zero of 3???). Keep in mind: I realize that AI conception rates are not 100% or even 70% usually (and that some estimates are more like 50%, even less). I also know that a 50% estimate doesn't mean you get 50% every time: you may have 100% one time and 0% the next--theoretically. But 0% ain't cuttin' it. Can AI techs miss by that much sometimes, even when the cow is in heat? The heifer we've AI'd 3x has had good strong heats each time, just never took.
3. Mineral deficiency? I remember a thread (maybe branguscowgirl) saying they'd culled some for infertility then realized there was a (selenium?) deficiency. Is that worth looking into? How do you test for it (blood I assume?)--does vet do or can you do by ear card? We have them on free choice good loose minerals with selenium though...Other other mineral or related issues that can impact fertility?
Any other factors to consider beside the above 3 categories? All are in good condition, not too heavy, otherwise healthy...VERY FRUSTRATED. We have 4 pregnancies to show for 13 AI procedures (30%). More to the point, we have a few that just don't seem to want to breed on AI. Dollars to donuts a cleanup bull would've done the trick but we're not set up (in terms of fences or experience) for one. In the past we've been able to send one off to visit a friend's bull if need be, but we can't really rely on that for half the herd.
Going forward, we will slaughter the one that got 3 chances in a few months. The other 2 I'm debating giving one final chance in a couple months, only because if they take, they will be on the spring calving schedule we're trying to work back towards (from June-July). The fact that we have this many having a hard time getting bred tells me it may not be their fault. Fair assessment????? THANKS!!!
