AI who do you use and what do they charge?

Last I asked the local AI guy who advertises, he would charge $65 to come and do a cow (don't know if discount for more than one). Plus he charges $35 a year to store semen if you want something he doesn't have.

Since I have small cows, he was worried that his big arms might be a problem. So I found a dairy nearby with a young guy with smaller arms willing to AI and store semen without charge. He asked for $30 per breeding, but I'm paying him $50 because I don't want him to lose interest, and he's saving me money. Sometimes I have to interrupt him when haying or something. And he's 5 for 5 on breeding, so seems worth it. I can't imagine someone going to a farm for ten or twelve bucks.

For a guy like me with just a couple cows, don't figure it'd be worth keeping a tank around. How much do you spend on tank and maintenance of it, and any other equipment?

Bio-tracking might be cheap, however I rather have them ultrasounded so I can see the live embryo, etc. They can see the heart beat, and can also measure the fetus or whichever it is. Been very usefull, and works well.


Jeff

__________________
"Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Patrick Henry, March 23rd, 1775

Sorry - what is sexed semen? I would assume pre-determined to be a heifer? If so, that's awesome and I didn't know that it was possible. If it is - that's what we'll be doing next time

Sexed semen is semen that gives you a 80%+ chance at a heifer. It costs more, and conception rates aren't as high..

__________________
"Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Patrick Henry, March 23rd, 1775

That is fine if it's what you want to do. But, what's the price? Most people don't need to get that in depth with their cattle.

Bobg

The biotracking sounds great to me as I can not afford to call the vet out much- my profit is only $400. a month and If I call the vet out- No profit-
But It would be nice to know

My computer quit on my mid- letter. I have talked to Genex and am in on next class-
I am excited.. I really love farming- wanted this my whole life so it is all a dream come true for me. Since the computer quit on me I lost my whole train of thought-
But I am sure enjoying the board

We use genex and have good luck. Our guy gives a discount for multiple breedings at the same time but it is up to the tech. I took the Genex AI class in college. The say it takes 1000 breedings to feel totally comfortable doing it. I tech said they are right, I figured on our sized herd I wouldn't do it enough to keep practiced so we pay him to do it. I screw up one breeding and have a repeat I could have payed him 4x's over.

We use Select Sires and Taurus Service.

Liz- I would encourage you to take the classes offerred by AI Companies, procure a Liquid Nitrogen Tank and a breeding kit. We paid $100 for a used LN Tank(which came with a bonus of a small inventory of *free* semen), and we paid $35 for a breeding kit which included a stainless steel toolbox, a breeding gun, box of gloves, box of sheaves, a scissors for snipping end off straw, and a thawing jar with thermometer. The "maintanance" of tank consists of topping off the LN level every 60-90 days, which *some* AI route sales people will do no charge if they are your primary supplier of semen.
Doing it yourself will allow you to breed cows at the time frame that offers the maximum probability of conception.

And now to relate our experience with Genex. Their technicians, trainers, and support staff are well trained professionals - first rate. However, based on our experience, the bulls they offer are too heavily selected for production, and production alone. The cows produced as a result of using their bulls fell apart and culled themselves out during the first or second lactation. Very few made it to a 3rd or 4th lactation.
The cows produced using Select Sires Bulls lasted 3 to 7 lactations. The comparison was noted with cows from both company's bulls standing side by side: same facilities, same feed, same management, same time frame.

Genex Bulls will produce cows that will milk.
Select Sires Bulls will produce cows that will milk *and* last.

This was our experience on our farm. For those that do not agree, breed cows with products from both companies and decide for yourself. Remember that it will be the year 2010 or 2011 before you will start to see the results.

The ultrasound isn't cheap, however the cost benefits out weigh the cost. It costs 89 or so for a visit, this includes the trip charge.

Personally I like to see whats going on, and they can see if its healthy or perhaps if its on the way out.


Jeff

__________________
"Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Patrick Henry, March 23rd, 1775