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F A R M S K I L L S
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
24
SUMMER 2013 ISSUE
DIY AI
remains one of the most
popular courses we run through
FarmSkills, giving you the
opportunity to get on top of
fertility and conception rates
on farm. Our new FarmSkills
Fertility and DIY AI supporting
materials are a great record for
you to keep on farm after your
course so you can refer back to
key points made.
Semen handling - worth
remembering:
No one may use semen if they know or
suspect that it has not been collected,
processed or stored in accordance with
the appropriate legislation.
Semen may only be stored or moved in
a container used exclusively for that
purpose which has been sterilised prior
to use or is a single use container that
has not been used before.
DIY AI
The following records must be
kept by anyone receiving semen:
●
The semen supplier’s name and
address
●
The date the semen was received
●
The name of the donor bull and its
identity under the cattle identification
regulations
●
The number of straws supplied and
the identification code (date of
collection) of each batch
●
The number of straws damaged or
destroyed and their identification code
The following records must be
kept for each straw used:
●
The name of the donor bull and its
identity under the cattle identification
regulations
●
The identification code (date of
collection) of the straw used
●
The ear tag number of the inseminated
cow
●
The date of insemination
Advantages of AI
●
Use and analysis of bulls across
different herds allows access to a
wide choice of genetics with high
levels of predictability and reliability
●
Semen used in AI is disease free
and techniques avoid cow to cow
disease spread
●
Cost savings compared with bull
purchase and maintenance
Disadvantages of AI
●
Technical experience/expertise of an
AI technician may be preferred
●
Need for flask maintenance - risk of
costly losses if not performed correctly
●
Inexperienced operators could
do harm
TIPS for Good Practice
●
Avoid carrying excessive amounts of
semen on the farm; a maximum should
be three times the number of breeding
cows on the farm
●
Keep a record of all deliveries of
equipment and materials
●
Keep your certificate of training safe
and accessible
●
Minimise the people who have
access to your flask
●
Fertility can be the equivalent of
natural service and the dangers of
keeping bulls are eliminated
●
Timing can be carried out at the
optimum time
●
Cows need not be left waiting
for service
●
Cost savings
●
Fewer visitors to the farm
If semen is destroyed, the
following must be recorded:
●
The name of the donor bull and its
identity under the cattle identification
regulations
●
The identification code (date of
collection) of the straw destroyed
●
The date of destruction
The records must be current and
kept for at least two years.
In the case of non-compliance, an
inspector may enter the premises, seize
semen and arrange for compliance.
They may also prohibit further use of
semen on a farm in order to prevent
any disease risk.
For further information, or to book on to one of our workshops, please call the
FarmSkills team on 01765 608489, email on farmskills@xlvets.co.uk or go online
to book with us directly! –
www.farm-skills.co.uk
Persons over the age of 16 may
perform AI provided that:
1. Either (a) They are doing so as part
of a Defra approved course or (b)
they are a qualified inseminator
2. Have never been convicted of an
animal welfare offence