DIY AI

ferger1

Thinking of doing a bit more AI in the future. Currently using doveas services, however have my eye on a couple of 'CELTIC' sires namely TSO and GFY.

As I don't do AI myself and don't have a flask, would a AI technician hold on to the straws id buy myself and inseminate them for me when required...or would it be cheeky to ask! Id obviously pay 'rent' and call out fee.

Is anyone doing this? Would be hoping to do 25 cows annually, so not sure would it pay doing the course and buying a flask.

Any opinions greatly appreciated

Nettleman

ferger1 wrote: »

Thinking of doing a bit more AI in the future. Currently using doveas services, however have my eye on a couple of 'CELTIC' sires namely TSO and GFY.

As I don't do AI myself and don't have a flask, would a AI technician hold on to the straws id buy myself and inseminate them for me when required...or would it be cheeky to ask! Id obviously pay 'rent' and call out fee.

Is anyone doing this? Would be hoping to do 25 cows annually, so not sure would it pay doing the course and buying a flask.

Any opinions greatly appreciated

I think I depends, I was lucky enough my AI man was agreeable to receiving the straws direct from Celtic. I went for TSO too this year and really looking forward to see them next year. When you count his charge and straw price, it's costly investment and had one repeat, that's like.

ferger1

Nettleman wrote: »

I think I depends, I was lucky enough my AI man was agreeable to receiving the straws direct from Celtic. I went for TSO too this year and really looking forward to see them next year. When you count his charge and straw price, it's costly investment and had one repeat, that's like.

Yeah id be looking forward to seeing them too, TSO has some great figures with fairly high reliability too. Hopefully the investment is worth it for ya

Feckthis

ferger1 wrote: »

Thinking of doing a bit more AI in the future. Currently using doveas services, however have my eye on a couple of 'CELTIC' sires namely TSO and GFY.

As I don't do AI myself and don't have a flask, would a AI technician hold on to the straws id buy myself and inseminate them for me when required...or would it be cheeky to ask! Id obviously pay 'rent' and call out fee.

Is anyone doing this? Would be hoping to do 25 cows annually, so not sure would it pay doing the course and buying a flask.

Any opinions greatly appreciated

I think 25 cows is well enough reason to do the course. Thinking doing it myself. It's a big initial cost but over the years it will well pay for itself IMO.

ferger1

Feckthis wrote: »

I think 25 cows is well enough reason to do the course. Thinking doing it myself. It's a big initial cost but over the years it will well pay for itself IMO.

Any idea of price to do course plus flask plus topping up with nitrogen

tanko

I did the course 13 years ago, and do 30-35 cows and heifers every year. I'm glad I did it, nice to be able to Ai them when it suits me.
It takes a bit of getting used to and plenty of practice, heifers can be tricky to do sometimes. I'd be averaging 80% in calf to first service so very happy with that.
Good handling facilities are needed to get best results from Ai.
I'm sure your technician should keep straws from other companies in his flask also.
Nitrogen service from Dovea costs €125 per year if you buy €200 of straws every three years of them I think.

just do it

Feckthis wrote: »

I think 25 cows is well enough reason to do the course. Thinking doing it myself. It's a big initial cost but over the years it will well pay for itself IMO.

Is that enough cows to get and maintain the sufficient skill level involved? You're right in theory but...

tanko

just do it wrote: »

Is that enough cows to get and maintain the sufficient skill level involved? You're right in theory but...

I think that once you get the knack of doing Ai it comes naturally after that, a bit like learning to ride a bike. Once you master the technique it is easy enough to pick it up again the following year. I admit it can be testing enough at the beginning.

ferger1

tanko wrote: »

I think that once you get the knack of doing Ai it comes naturally after that, a bit like learning to ride a bike. Once you master the technique it is easy enough to pick it up again the following year. I admit it can be testing enough at the beginning.

It looks very handy when the technician is doing it, he has it done in seconds...but as said previously there is a skill in it and I heard you need plenty of patience.

Initially I like the idea of buying the straws myself and the technician storing and inseminating for me

Feckthis

just do it wrote: »

Is that enough cows to get and maintain the sufficient skill level involved? You're right in theory but...

IMO yes. I'm not saying it's easy. But I think it's blown out of proportion of how hard it is.

just do it

Feckthis wrote: »

IMO yes. I'm not saying it's easy. But I think it's blown out of proportion of how hard it is.

Timing is biggest thing

tanko

ferger1 wrote: »

It looks very handy when the technician is doing it, he has it done in seconds...but as said previously there is a skill in it and I heard you need plenty of patience.

Initially I like the idea of buying the straws myself and the technician storing and inseminating for me

If your tech is doing a good job for you and will store straws for you then maybe the best option is to stick with him. There are good and bad ones out there. A lad rushing to get around too many farms at busy times and not taking the time and care to do every animal correctly is no use either.

Feckthis

just do it wrote: »

Timing is biggest thing

Yep.my cousin is an AI man and gave me a go on two of my own cows. We shall see in the spring how I got on.:D

Greengrass1

Its like the first time ye made love no one was good at it but after a bit of practice ye were the boss
Don't think 25 cows is worth it.
You will definitely loose the nack

Feckthis

ferger1 wrote: »

Any idea of price to do course plus flask plus topping up with nitrogen

I've been told about €1000 all together to do the course and have your equipment ready to go.

Genghis Cant

Our AI man holds straws from several companies in a private flask for us. He has no problem doin it, in fact I think there's an obligation on him to do it ( but I'm not sure about this!)

Don't mind the fact that it looks easy. Anyone that's any good at something make it look easy.

Greengrass1

http://www.donedeal.ie/dairycattle-for-sale/diy-ai-training-course/7682450

ferger1

Thanks. Going to check with dovea on their prices.