For those who have flushed cows.

[Scotty]

Ever use more than one bull and then DNA the calves for parentage? If so how did you go about it. My guy will AI my cow 4 times. I did not know if you would use both at each AI or rotate.

 

[hillsdown]

When we flush we use one straw at standing heat and then the other 12 hours later.We have always used the same semen but I suppose you could use different semen and then DNA later, have never really thought about it.

Why are you using two straws per AI session?

 

[Scotty]

When we flush we use one straw at standing heat and then the other 12 hours later.We have always used the same semen but I suppose you could use different semen and then DNA later, have never really thought about it.

Why are you using two straws per AI session?

Like I said my guy likes to use four straws per flush when using one bull. I was just wandering if you were to use two bulls at a flush if you would use one of each at the AI time.

 

[Tod Dague]

I wouldn't use two bulls for 1 flush but, that's me. Who is doing the inseminating? If they are competent you should only need two straws, three if you want to be absolutely sure. I know people that only use one with good results.

 

[hillsdown]

Beef are more fertile than dairy so I can see more eggs being released with the Folltropin/super ovulater so you might want to use more straws.Some people may have greater results with more straws.Like I said we only use two< standing and 12>.

Never have heard of using two different bulls but doesn't mean it doesn't happen.Did you ask your embryo group?

 

[MikeC]

Sperm live several hours when inserted in the cow and there's more than enough sperm to fertilize several millions eggs in each straw.

More than two seem like a waste but it's your semen.

I guess you are using more to cut down on timing or unknown/irregularities?

You could use 4 different bulls if you want to pay for DNA tests.

 

[Dusty]

I have had other breeders do a mulit sire flush, he uses the cheap semen on the first AI and the 3rd AI time and the the 350 plus dollar semen on the middle AI time.... I put three flushes in my recip cows and here are the results, on the cheaper semen we had 9 calves and out of the expensive semen we had 11 calves... that is out of 32 eggs total...

I can look at that in two ways, first of all he got 11 calves out of $1050 of semen, he also hit about 60% on the conception rates and he got 9 calves of good genetics for minimal money... Usually you use from 2-4 straws of semen so a normal flush would cost... about $1050 a flush. x 3 would equal $3150.. So he saved 6 straws of semen... got 11 calves .... and basically got 9 calves as a bonus... And then has a minimal 35 a head fee to DNA test them...

Now i don't do multi sire flushes... But with the costs of some semen reaching the $500 a straw range and success i have seen first hand, i have thought about trying it in the future...

 

[Scotty]

The first bull is one that is free to me. The second is on my dime. My thought is if she has 14 embrios like her first one three years ago I might have calves out of two different bulls. AAA breeders guide allows for two bulls.

 

[braunvieh]

I have heard of breeders using two different bulls when they flushed. Some do that because they want to try two types of genetics on a flush, you never know what you will get if it is an unproven mating so using different bulls gives you the opportunity to get embryos out of 2 matings.
And, when calves are born, they do have to be DNA'd to verify.

 

[Scotty]

I have heard of breeders using two different bulls when they flushed. Some do that because they want to try two types of genetics on a flush, you never know what you will get if it is an unproven mating so using different bulls gives you the opportunity to get embryos out of 2 matings.
And, when calves are born, they do have to be DNA'd to verify.

Thats what I am after.