by Roy Dixon – CRV Xseed

Many producers of purebred and commercial beef cattle can profitably utilise artificial insemination (AI).The benefit of AI is to use the best genetics at affordable prices. This is very beneficial for young stud breeders. Most AI programmes fail because of lack of commitment from the owner. He or she must totally desire to make AI work. Neglect of any aspect of management will reduce AI conception rates, most likely to the extent it will cancel many of the benefits that the technique offers.

It is important to take the following into consideration before starting an AI programme.

• Are the kraals and facilities suitable for the practice?
• Do you have camps where heat detection can be done properly?
• Are your workers trained to do heat detection?
• Are your cows cycling properly?

Both a sound health programme and good nutrition are requirements for any breeding programme, but it will become absolute essential ingredients for artificial insemination. In addition, more labour and skills are needed, especially in the initial phases of the programme.

Heat detection and beef AI programmes

The most limiting factor in artificial insemination programmes is proper heat detection in cows and heifers.

In beef cattle farming where artificial insemination is the means of breeding the females, the workers must recognise and interpret a cow’s heat signals. Proper timing of the artificial insemination is necessary to accomplish a high percentage of conceptions in the cows that are bred artificially.

A cow is fertile only when an egg has been released (or ovulated) from the ovary. This occurs about 10 – 14 hours after the period called “standing heat” ends. This means that for the highest fertility, cows or heifers should be inseminated approximately 12 – 18 hours after the cow first comes in “standing heat”.

As cows are more active during the cooler periods of the day, it is very important that the workers must be able to detect heat signs and secondary heat signs.

Secondary heat signs are:

• willingness to mount other cows
• roughened tail head or mud on the rump
• restlessness
• clear stringy mucus discharge

The best times of the day to observe cattle for heat detection are early in the morning and at the last daylight in the evening.

Several aids to heat detection are available for producers with artificial insemination programmes.

• Kamar heatmount detector
• Estrutect heat detectors

These devices are glued to the rump (just forward of the tailhead) of cows suspected to be in heat in the near future. Regular practice at inseminating is required to maintain high conception rates.

Practical tips for beef AI

It is easier to AI heifers, but they usually do not produce the best calves –  heifers are still growing and do not have as much milk for their calves as older cows.

• Select the cows that calve down early and put them in your AI programme.
• Get the cows used to the facilities.
• Feed mineral supplements to enhance fertility before commencing the AI programme.
• If necessary, the inseminator must attend a refresher AI course before commencing the AI programme.
• Use heat detection aids.

It is far better to AI cows that are on their natural heat cycle than cows that have been synchronised.

Most breeders that have been disappointed with the results of AI did not plan the programme properly or their expectations of synchronisation were too high.

Oestrus synchronisation

After a visit to Brazil and Argentina, I realised that far too little effort is put into oestrus synchronisation programmes in Southern Africa. CRV Lagoa in Brazil, a subsidiary of CRV Xseed, offers at least 6 different programmes for cows and heifers. Each programme is tailor-made for specific cattle under specific conditions.

Local farmers are hesitant to AI small groups of cows, where in Brazil, the biggest client of CRV Lagoa inseminates 100 000 cows in one season. This is all done by oestrus synchronisation. Many big commercial farms in Brazil are using AI.

CRV Xseed will be working closely with CRV Lagoa in Brazil to implement these programmes in Southern Africa.

Bad results with oestrus synchronisation are always blamed on the semen quality and not on the choice of synchronisation programmes and preparation of cows. We must remember it takes only one sperm to impregnate a cow. The minimum number of sperms cells put in straws at certified AI stations is 10 million sperm cells of which 75% must be normal and 40% alive after thawing of the straw.

CRV Xseed is currently expanding their range of beef bulls to supply their clients with the best genetics available at the best price. This will include beef genetics from other countries, such as their large range of Angus genetics from the USA.