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F A R M S K I L L S
Sophie Throup
FarmSkills Manager
One of the most popular workshops through FarmSkills is DIY AI, used by
beef and dairy farmers to improve conception rates and profitability of the
herd. Courses run throughout the UK and last for between 3 and 4 days
in length.
Vet Jonathan Statham from the Bishopton Vet Group, Ripon
,
outlines the key steps you need to follow to ensure that DIY AI techniques
are put to good use.
There is plenty that may still go wrong before
a successful insemination results in the delivery
of a live calf and the year on year decline in
dairy conception rates (CR) has pushed up the
relative importance of CR to heat detection.
Do-it-yourself artificial insemination 'DIY AI'
has provided an industry shaping combination
of genetic free choice + cost effectiveness.
However, for consistently good results,
attention to detail at every stage is vital. It is
not enough to mechanically deliver semen in
the general direction of the uterus.
Successful AI requires the following:
1
Good quality semen
2
Inseminated in the right place
3
Inseminated at the right time
FOUNDATIONS
Anatomy ('where are all the bits
?
') and
physiology ('what do they do
?
') provide
the foundation of AI training.
Creating a mental picture of the uterine tract
that can be 'read' with the fingers of the left
hand is the key to navigating a true and
safe course with the AI catheter or 'gun'.
Conception rates suffer if the gun fails to
pass the cervix, but insertion too far may also
reduce success as semen is inserted into only
one horn or trauma occurs to the delicate
uterine lining. Similarly, appreciating how the
oestrus cycle functions is a huge help in
achieving effective timing of insemination and
troubleshooting potential problems of heat
detection and expression.
AI TECHNIQUE-TWO STEPS
Getting down to the core technique follows the
above foundations.
Two distinct steps exist:
(1)
Getting the gun from outside the cow
to the cervix
(2)
Moving the cervix over the gun
DIY
AI
Training
Jonathan Statham
Bishopton Veterinary Group, RAFT Solutions Ltd
S T E P 1
Step 1
is based on PUSHING the cervix
away from the inseminator in order to
provide a clear, wrinkle free, straight
route through the otherwise loose folds
of the vagina
S T E P 2
Step 2
then requires the cervix to be
PULLED
carefully back over the AI gun,
NOT
moving the gun through the cervix!
This important difference massively
reduces the risk of dangerously shoving
the metal AI gun forwards into the
sensitive and vulnerable uterine horns
where trauma could potentially occur,
leading to uterine bleeding and scarring
with reduced conception rates. A good
grasp of the cervix is essential during
this step to allow the fine control of gun
position for optimum results.
'How to get cows in calf'
is the true aim of AI training. Reproductive
performance drives profitability in UK dairy herds and while the first
hurdle may be heat detection, the job is far from done at that stage.
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
19
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