CIDRs

[Northern Rancher]

I've probably A'I'ed 10,000 heads of CIDR'ed cattle over the years at different places with varying results. Some observations I've made are
!. Follow the protocol precisely-don't breed 12 hours late or mistime the intervals between shots due to other issues. Devote the time after CIDR removal to A'I'ing
2. use accurate syringes-too much or none of the synch drugs doesn.t work
3.Be very clean-wash and rinse your CIDR gun between cows
4.Have facilitries that a large number of cattle can be run through without alot of stress
5. Make sure the cattle are in adequate condition to breed-CIDR's are a management tool not a wonder drug
6. Buy your semen from me at Genex lol- This last one was a shot at shameless self promotion

 

[Sage]

Northern Rancher
I agree with everything you stated compleatly, too many people think they can get good results with cidrs in poor condition cows. Now about the Genex thing LOL.

 

[Northern Rancher]

Aww Sage take a look at the udders on these Herefords and tellme you don't love them lol.
http://ranchers.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24937

What part of Montana are you located-I roam the northeast part pretty regular during rodeo season.

 

[Sage]

SW Montana almost into ID. Yes very nice udders on your Hereford. That is the biggest reason we don't cross herefords in our commercial herd.

 

[Northern Rancher]

I've been down to Double Fork's sale a long time ago-you live in some nice country for sure.

 

[Alan]

Good post with lots of opinions, I agree with Northen Ranchers post. If your cows are not in good condition and nursing a calf, then the first thing to go is the embyro.... no matter what type of breeding program you are on.

I used CIDRs for the first time last year, with a timed heat synch, all cows no heifers. I think I did pretty well, due date is the 26th, I have 2 bulls on the ground and think I should be at an 80% success rate.

As far as the cost, I think $20 for CIDRs and drugs is right, add $15 to $40 for semen. So it boils down to what your time is worth ... no matter how many cows you plan to use CIDRs on.

This is what I did last June. I synch this way: Day 1 - 2cc Fertagyl, insert CIDR. Day 7 - 5cc Lutalyse, pull CIDR. 60 hrs, +/- 6hrs AI. So the question is how much time ($) did I spend sending the cattle through the chute 3 times in 8 or 9 days? For me it was worth it for genitic improvment, but if I had to do 100 head ..... maybe not, maybe yes..... For Star Lake, I think they would with out a second thought.

Alan

 

[Northern Rancher]

I've found theres about 10hrs labour for every hundred head total in a CIDR program-I have bred up to 250 in a day but a 100 at a time seemsto work the best. Another thing to consider is having a back up A'I tech-a broken arm two head in on a big synch day can derail a program.