Should I use AI for my cows or keep a bull? What are the benefits?
How does artificial insemination (AI) help in dairy cattle?
JJignesh Patel1yr ago · 396 views
5 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓1yr ago
Artificial insemination (AI) lets you breed your cows with semen from proven high-yield bulls without keeping a bull, which improves the milk potential of the next generation and avoids the cost and risk of maintaining a bull. It also reduces spread of breeding diseases. Success depends on detecting heat correctly and inseminating at the right time (usually the mid-to-late heat period), so watch for signs like mucus discharge, restlessness and standing to be mounted. Use a trained AI technician and good quality, properly stored semen. If a cow does not conceive after 2 to 3 cycles, get her checked by a vet. In Gujarat the cooperative network and gopalan kendras provide doorstep AI; sexed semen for more female calves is also available in many states.
BBharat Solanki11mo ago
I switched fully to AI. Calves from good bulls give more milk than before. The key is calling the AI worker at the right time in heat, otherwise the cow repeats. Keep a heat date diary.
HHiren Patel11mo ago
Note the heat date and expect the next heat in about 21 days if she does not conceive, so you watch closely and do not miss it. Missing one cycle means a longer dry period and lost milk. A wall calendar near the shed worked better for me than memory.
DDahyabhai Patel10mo ago
Sexed semen got me mostly female calves, which I wanted for building the herd. The conception rate can be a bit lower and it costs more, so I use it on my best cows only. Ask your AI centre whether it is available and worth it for your case.
NNileshbhai Desai10mo ago
Good nutrition before and around breeding made my cows come into clear heat and conceive faster. When animals were thin they showed silent heat and repeated. Feed and mineral mixture quietly decide AI success as much as timing.