DIY AI training

390kid

I’m considering doing the Ai course and I would like to hear of anyone else that may be in a similar situation that has done it and what the cost are per year with straws and tank maintenance. 25 sucklers on the farm trying to operate a closed herd and would also be used on two farms I relief milk for

bogman_bass

390kid wrote: »

I’m considering doing the Ai course and I would like to hear of anyone else that may be in a similar situation that has done it and what the cost are per year with straws and tank maintenance. 25 sucklers on the farm trying to operate a closed herd and would also be used on two farms I relief milk for

I have similar numbers here. TBH only I got the tank for free through my previous job it wouldn’t be worth it.
If you get a technician in you only pay for the straws you actually use. Anybody that has a tank has a collection of straws that they will probably never use. There is always a new exciting bull around the corner

alps

It's a great skill to have and will help with many situations like washing out and pregnancy diagnosis etc.

Watch the cost of keeping straws. There will be a cost of at least 200€ per annum to keep the flasc topped up.with nitrogen. Bear in mind also that if using the technician repeats are free or lower cost. No such reduction for diy straws.

You may find it far more convenient though to e able to determine your own AI times and not having an animal held in the yard for hours waiting for technician..

Amateur Farmer

390kid wrote: »

I’m considering doing the Ai course and I would like to hear of anyone else that may be in a similar situation that has done it and what the cost are per year with straws and tank maintenance. 25 sucklers on the farm trying to operate a closed herd and would also be used on two farms I relief milk for

I was in the same boat as you this time last year and I did the training got the tank. I found having the flexibility to inseminate the cows at a time of your own choosing was the single biggest benefit. One definite piece of advise would be to research your bulls and be disciplined in what straws you purchase, try to keep it to a small enough team of bulls. Otherwise you can end up spending a lot of money on lots of straws and you will find that once you get going you will end up using only a hand full of bulls.

simx

390kid wrote: »

I’m considering doing the Ai course and I would like to hear of anyone else that may be in a similar situation that has done it and what the cost are per year with straws and tank maintenance. 25 sucklers on the farm trying to operate a closed herd and would also be used on two farms I relief milk for

Tank is €550 or so
After that guns
Steaths(what’s straw goes into)
Thaw flask if you want
Beef straws usually €8-€10
Nitrogen service is €180/€200 per annum

Hard Knocks

You’ll have to factor while gaining experience you may not have a good success rate

bogman_bass

How good is the technician service in your area?

390kid

bogman_bass wrote: »

How good is the technician service in your area?

The technician is top class and very obliging but he’s near retirement age

longgonesilver

The licence you get for DIY is for your own herd. At the end of your post you mention doing other herds. Will you be allowed buy enough straws to do three herds?

390kid

longgonesilver wrote: »

The licence you get for DIY is for your own herd. At the end of your post you mention doing other herds. Will you be allowed buy enough straws to do three herds?

Jaysus I dunno I never looked into or thought about that. The 2 other farms have there own tank

Cattlepen

Did the course, was about to buy the gear, then..……
Got rid of the cows and am glad I did

390kid

Cattlepen wrote: »

Did the course, was about to buy the gear, then..……
Got rid of the cows and am glad I did

Glad ya did the course or get rid of the cows?

Hard Knocks

Anyone doing DIY AI
What all have you in your kit and how are you finding your conception rates

mahoney_j

bogman_bass wrote: »

How good is the technician service in your area?

Too notch from progressive genetics anyway