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Insemination facility Important factors to consider when choosing a location for drafting, holding and inseminating cattle on your farm include: Insemination equipment The following equipment for semen handling and insemination procedure should be stored in a clean, dry, AI kitbox: Select each heading to learn more about specific insemination equipment. Preparing the AI Table A …

Section Five: Facilities and equipment required for insemination Read More »

The recommended practice is to clean items in your AI kit the day before completing an AI procedure. This includes cleaning things like tweezers, forceps, and stainless-steel scissors. They should be cleaned with alcohol and paper towel or alcohol wipes. Insemination guns need to be cleaned and lubricated. All maintenance should be done at least …

Section Six: Sterilising tools and AI Hygiene Read More »

Sourcing semen Before you can begin any Artificial Insemination you will need to source semen. Semen can be acquired from genetics companies or resellers. It can also be sourced from stud breeders. There are two options, fresh semen and frozen semen. Here are a few things to know about each: Selecting, preparing and thawing semen …

Section Seven: Sourcing Semen Read More »

There are a few different types of documentation you need to keep when completing AI procedures. This will help you keep track of each insemination. Semen inventory and records Maintain a detailed inventory system of bulls in your tank and update it on every transfer in to and out of the tank. A convenient place …

Section Eight: Preparing documentation for AI Read More »

In this section, we focused on preparing for insemination. The main points to remember are:

Body condition is the visual appearance of cattle, primarily determined by the amount and distribution of fat covering her muscles and bones – it is essentially the ‘fatness’ or ‘thinness’ of the cow. Effective management of cow body condition and nutrition provides reproductive, milk production, feed conversion, cow health and welfare benefits. Body condition management …

Section One: Body condition and scoring Read More »

Detecting small changes in condition score over a short period is di cult. Check aspects of nutritional management regularly to detect problems quickly and take action to avoid unwanted loss of condition and reduced reproductive performance. When considering changes to nutritional management, consider: If your cows are outside the recommended BCS range (4.5 to 5.5) …

Section Two: Checking nutritional management and feeding strategies Read More »

Duty of care and animal welfare As AI technicians, we have a duty of care to the animals we are inseminating. People in charge of cattle in Australia are legally responsible for the welfare of cattle under their control and are required to undertake herd management and husbandry practices in a manner that reduces the …

Section Three: Animal welfare legislation that impacts AI Read More »

Biosecurity and environmental best practices are essential for the long-term success of your farm. Following good biosecurity practices will help reduce the amount of illness in your animals, while strong environmental approaches will help your land to remain healthy and prosperous. Disease organisms can be spread on contaminated vehicles, insemination equipment, clothing, hands, and via …

Section Four: Biosecurity and environmental practices Read More »

Duty of care and animal welfare As AI technicians, we have a duty of care to the animals we are inseminating. People in charge of cattle in Australia are legally responsible for the welfare of cattle under their control and are required to undertake herd management and husbandry practices in a manner that reduces the …

Section Three: Animal welfare legislation that impacts AI Read More »