Agricultural News
Artificial Insemination Can Add Rapid Genetic Change and Uniformity to Cattle Herds
Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:07:12 CDT
Turning out a bull is easier than using artificial insemination (A-I), but is it better?
Not if you're counting the many benefits of A-I for beef cattle, says field expert Lorna Marshall of Select Sires.
"It allows you to improve the reproductive efficiency of your cow herd, because we shorten your calving interval," Marshall said, "we get more of those cows to calve in the first 21 days."
Marshall added that A-I can be used as a risk management tool to remove some of the risk that you would find with unproven bulls.
A-I also allows producers to pick and choose genetics that tailor fit their operation's marketing and feed environments.
Some producers may feel intimidated by the large variety of genetics available, perhaps not knowing where to begin in choosing the right genetic profiles for your herd. Marshall says one strategy to consider, is to narrow choices by selecting for desired EPDs, or expected progeny differences, or other traits.
"That can be fleshing ability, maybe improving feet, things like that," Marshall said. "So there's a wide range of discussions that we have with our producers in terms of selecting bulls."
If you are trying to improve certain traits in your herd, such as heifer pregnancy or marbling, A-I services like Select Sires, can assist you in targeting narrow groups of bulls that will allow you to move your herd's genetics in the right direction. Marshall points out that the fewer bulls you use; the more uniformity you're going to have.
Proven AI sires can foster rapid improvement, without sacrificing their herd's maternal instincts, Marshall says.
"We can make those genetics available to you at a really, very reasonable cost that's competitive with the bull and yet, because they are so genetically balanced and really good across the board," Marshall said, "they're going to allow you to make genetic improvements in a lot of ways, including end product merit."
Watch Lorna Marshall explain more on the benefits of adding artificial insemination to your herd's breeding program by clicking on the PLAY BOX below.
Source - Certified Angus Beef LLC
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