breeding my milk cow

gracie88 · #1 03/10/10, 09:37 AM

So I got this spiffy little Dexter and I have no bull. I know one person with a bull but he's cross bred and a bit big. It occurred to me that this would be a great time to try AI and then I realized I have no idea where to start. Who does AI? Twenty years ago there was an AI tech who had an ad in the paper, but she was old then. A vet would be spendy. Do the bull's owners usually know someone? And where is a good place to find the bull? What are good milking Dexter lines? I'm suddenly not limited by drive time and the possible options are overwhelming.

I know there are some Dexter breeders here, would y'all be willing to do a little hand-holding? I promise I learn fast.

linn · #2 03/10/10, 10:34 AM

I have AI'd our cows in the home pasture for years. I took a training course with ABS years ago. We have our own LN tank and I order directly from the owners of the semen. Check with the Genetics companies for a technician or rep in your area. ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Genex, Semex, and Alta Genetics are a few of the big companies. If you want Dexter semen, then you will probably have to order a minimum of five straws. You will pay for the price of the straws and a shipping charge. These straws will need to be stored in a liquid nitrogen tank. This is where a friendly AI technician can help you.

Farm 36 · #3 03/10/10, 11:29 AM

Linn is right to find the semen that you want and get five straws for the one cow and at least 7 for two unless you have a local supply that is avalible easily.Next find a tech to do the insemation , yes you can learn to do this yourself but the goal is to get the cow bred not to make a cull cow. A cow to me is a cull cow if open and more than 90 day in milk because it gets harder to settle an cow after 90 days in milk . When she is confermed Pg she has a new start to get a calf and milk and those two products produce money to feed her.

montysky · #4 03/10/10, 05:13 PM

Linn, got it down got nothing to add, years ago I to took an AI class will worth it imho. We have a "mop" bull but since you don't plan to AI her a couple times. Saw that you're in Oregon there is a couple larger breeders of Dexter I think your way, maybe they do AI work?

Welshmom · #5 03/13/10, 10:30 AM

Sure, a vet is more costly, but if you have trouble finding an AI tech in your area, having a vet do it is still going to be more economical than bringing in a bull. As long as your vet is skilled at AI, that is.

francismilker · #6 03/13/10, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welshmom

Sure, a vet is more costly, but if you have trouble finding an AI tech in your area, having a vet do it is still going to be more economical than bringing in a bull. As long as your vet is skilled at AI, that is.

Good point there Welshmom. My vet is a very good vet but admits to being a horrible AI tech. He says the guy he recommends learned on a dairy and done hundred per year. He says you're money ahead getting someone with better percentages than taking your chances on buying more straws of semen to get one cow bred or feeding a clean-up bull.