Semen/Supplies Ordering

[Double R Ranch]

Hey all!
So we've always been exclusive to Select Sires. No other reps were willing to come regularly. Have never ordered semen online before. Only direct from our SS rep who came to the ranch and delivered nitrogen, supplies and whatever semen I ordered.
Our rep recently retired, new rep is less than helpful or efficient and select sires is now charging an arm and a leg for nitrogen so it's time to do some changes.
I'm now getting my tank filled via a semi local nitrogen dealer which is much cheaper than Select and seems to be working well enough.
So onto the semen and supplies issues I'm facing.
Breeding season has just ended for us so I'm trying to get it all figured out now so there's no rushing or issues next season.
How easy/hard is it to order online?
Are there any sales (holiday discounts etc) I should keep an eye out for?
When is the "best" time to order as I'm sure there is a busy season for semen companies. How smoothly is it ordering online and what expenses will I need to expect.
What companies do y'all recommend for online ordering?
I've always gone by what my rep sees from sires and have never really figured out the EPD thing. For some reason just can't grasp it. Not too confident in EPD's either as I've used recommended young bulls with "great" epds and had huge calves and poor growers. I only use proven bulls since making that mistake a few times.
Also nervous about branching out away from select sires but all the bulls seem to pretty much be related and I'm having more issues these days getting fresh bulls that aren't related to my cattle.
We're fighting some bad feet (culling hard for that) and not very impressive rears on our last few years of calves. Also having some really high rear ends lately.
Where do you get your breeding supplies? Cidr's, patches, sheaths, lube etc.
Suggestions? Recommendations? Maybe an easy way to learn EPD's? What should I expect in all of this?
Will be looking for both BLK angus heifer bulls and cow bulls.
Thanks in advance!

 

[jschoolcraft86]

I have done a little shopping with Bovine Elite out of College Station, TX. I haven't ordered semen from them yet but from what they said at AI school it is a pretty straightforward process. They ship to you ($75-$100 for the semen tank including return shipping I believe), you can get all your supplies if you need to also. They have kits with everything you'll need to get going, and I know for sure they have CIDRs, patches, etc. The lube was a little expensive when I looked recently but that may have been the cost of shipping driving it up (I'm going to order lube from valley vet I think).

One of the guys who put on the course is their sire selection specialist (his name is Kyle) and I believe you can call him up and talk to him about your situation and goals and he will help you pick out stuff through their inventory.

More specifics on the shipping: When I looked for just a handful of straws I believe it was $75 but when I priced out 50 straws earlier it was up to $92. They send it UPS ground and can tell you how long it will take to arrive.

Hope this helps, good luck.

 

[NEFarmwife]

Most breeding supplies are usually thru our AI specialist. He's about an hour from us and can get us whatever we want. No shipping charge.

We buy a lot of supplies. We don't always go thru him if Stockman supply can get it to us faster. We usually get a nice discount from them but we spend a good chunk of change with them every year.

I'd find an AI guy around where you are and see if maybe he can do the same for you? Where are you located?

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

There are lots of reliable studs - ABS, Genex, Bull Barn, Cattle Visions, etc.
Where are you located? You can call ABS or Genex and ask if they have a rep in your area. They may deliver for free.

 

[Double R Ranch]

There are lots of reliable studs - ABS, Genex, Bull Barn, Cattle Visions, etc.
Where are you located? You can call ABS or Genex and ask if they have a rep in your area. They may deliver for free.

California.
When I spoke to reps in the past from ABS and GENEX they either didn't have a rep close enough or wouldn't be interested in us for delivery/services because were "too small" of an operation. They said they would ship but never got into details on shipping the semen. Kind of felt like we didn't matter enough to bother with so I didn't push any further. This was years ago now. Maybe things have changed.

 

[Double R Ranch]

Most breeding supplies are usually thru our AI specialist. He's about an hour from us and can get us whatever we want. No shipping charge.

We buy a lot of supplies. We don't always go thru him if Stockman supply can get it to us faster. We usually get a nice discount from them but we spend a good chunk of change with them every year.

I'd find an AI guy around where you are and see if maybe he can do the same for you? Where are you located?

California. I do all the AI/Embryo work myself so don't really have a specialist that I know of in our area. Thanks for the info!

 

[Double R Ranch]

I have done a little shopping with Bovine Elite out of College Station, TX. I haven't ordered semen from them yet but from what they said at AI school it is a pretty straightforward process. They ship to you ($75-$100 for the semen tank including return shipping I believe), you can get all your supplies if you need to also. They have kits with everything you'll need to get going, and I know for sure they have CIDRs, patches, etc. The lube was a little expensive when I looked recently but that may have been the cost of shipping driving it up (I'm going to order lube from valley vet I think).

One of the guys who put on the course is their sire selection specialist (his name is Kyle) and I believe you can call him up and talk to him about your situation and goals and he will help you pick out stuff through their inventory.

More specifics on the shipping: When I looked for just a handful of straws I believe it was $75 but when I priced out 50 straws earlier it was up to $92. They send it UPS ground and can tell you how long it will take to arrive.

Hope this helps, good luck.

Helpful information! Thank you!

 

[T & B farms]

I have ordered supplies from cattle visions several times, they have been great to deal with. Never ordered semen from them. I am very lucky, I have reps from almost every semen supplier within reasonable distance.
I ordered 100 straws from abs and they are shipping it directly to me for free.

I would look for some other guys in your area that are also doing ai work and see if you could combined your semen orders and split shipping cost.

There is a small mom and pops shop near me I get most all my non RX meds. I get both cidrs and patches from them. Prices are pretty good, free shipping over 200$ I believe. Very good to deal with, a lot of times I have my order the next day.
If your interested, message me and I'll give you his contact

 

[Double R Ranch]

I have ordered supplies from cattle visions several times, they have been great to deal with. Never ordered semen from them. I am very lucky, I have reps from almost every semen supplier within reasonable distance.
I ordered 100 straws from abs and they are shipping it directly to me for free.

I would look for some other guys in your area that are also doing ai work and see if you could combined your semen orders and split shipping cost.

There is a small mom and pops shop near me I get most all my non RX meds. I get both cidrs and patches from them. Prices are pretty good, free shipping over 200$ I believe. Very good to deal with, a lot of times I have my order the next day.
If your interested, message me and I'll give you his contact

Unfortunately so far I've struck out on other ranches that AI. Seems most around just use bulls and the ranches around are becoming farther apart these days. Sad reality of our messed up state. Part of why our SS rep retired. He couldn't make a living on his route anymore. Never did very well on beef semen anyways but with all the dairies closing at lightning speed he just couldn't keep it going.
I did find out that I can get Cidr's and Patches from my vet so that is an option. I was asking about ordering semen and supplies and they said semen wasn't likely unless it was someone they collected a bull for but they do carry some supplies. Not sheaths but I'm questioning if im missing out on a newer style AI gun these days.
I've been to spoiled relying so much on my rep. Thankfully I've realized I need to get on this prior to actually needing anything.
Thanks for the info! Given me more to think about and look in to!

 

[NEFarmwife]

Most breeding supplies are usually thru our AI specialist. He's about an hour from us and can get us whatever we want. No shipping charge.

We buy a lot of supplies. We don't always go thru him if Stockman supply can get it to us faster. We usually get a nice discount from them but we spend a good chunk of change with them every year.

I'd find an AI guy around where you are and see if maybe he can do the same for you? Where are you located?

California. I do all the AI/Embryo work myself so don't really have a specialist that I know of in our area. Thanks for the info!

We do our own as well. We've actually taken on a lot of his customers for him because he got too big. But someone like him will/may have a good inventory and ability to get you what you need.

 

[GoWyo]

Get CIDRs and drugs from my vet. Sheaths, gloves, lube usually from Valley Vet. Liquid Nitrogen from NORCO or Air Gas. Semen via UPS from Bull Barn, Select Sires, Genex and ABS. Bull Barn cost $75 to ship and ABS charged me $50. If you give Bull Barn 30 days they can get semen from Cattle Visions and ABS and others and consolidate your order into a single shipment. I buy Angus and a few straws of clubby semen each year this way.

There are semen reps in the area, but I don't buy more than about 30-40 straws a year and it is easier to just place my order direct with a special request on the shipment date. I usually request a Monday or Tuesday shipment so I receive it the same week it ships and no weekend sitting on a UPS dock somewhere.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Get CIDRs and drugs from my vet. Sheaths, gloves, lube usually from Valley Vet. Liquid Nitrogen from NORCO or Air Gas. Semen via UPS from Bull Barn, Select Sires, Genex and ABS. Bull Barn cost $75 to ship and ABS charged me $50. If you give Bull Barn 30 days they can get semen from Cattle Visions and ABS and others and consolidate your order into a single shipment. I buy Angus and a few straws of clubby semen each year this way.

There are semen reps in the area, but I don't buy more than about 30-40 straws a year and it is easier to just place my order direct with a special request on the shipment date. I usually request a Monday or Tuesday shipment so I receive it the same week it ships and no weekend sitting on a UPS dock somewhere.

Good post. :welcome:

 

[Bright Raven]

Select Sires services my tank. I like their service and the representative for my area is a great guy - Kenley Conner. I took my AI training in his class. Their nitrogen costs are consistent with others especially since they come to you.

I buy most of my semen from Select Sires and Genex. ABS has some good Simmental Bulls. I also occasionally pick up some custom semen from Doug Parke in Paris, Kentucky - a fantastic gentleman known throughout the Simmental breed.

I get my supplies from my vet or Jeffers.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Some vets offer discounts on volume orders. My vet has a "drop-ship" service with a minimum order. I get it the next day, no shipping cost. They can get everything down to eartags. Might check with your vet and see what they offer in the way of a discount.