Breeding Questions

Countryboy5286 · Jun 17, 2016

I bought my son a show heifer September 2014. Last year we tried to breed her 3 different times, we caught her standing each time, but she never would take. We talked to the AI tech and he said she was a little overweight for breeding purposes due to feeding her hard for the shows. So we waited for a year and caught her standing again and bred her. My question is that if she isn't fertile enough to breed, could we still use her to put an embryo in? Should I have the vet come out before I waste any more semen to check her fertility levels?

mbigelow · Jun 17, 2016

If she can't settle by AI with multiple attempts then she would not be a candidate for embryo transfer. I would find a way to turn her out with a bull. If she doesn't take this round I would contact the breeder for suggestions and then have her checked by a vet.

Duncraggan · Jun 19, 2016

There is no science attached to my statement but I find that some of my cattle never settle to AI and others give me an AI calf every year. The best heat spotter and AI technician are still not a bull when it comes to settling a cow. Put it with a bull and if it still comes up open, eat it!

firesweepranch · Jun 20, 2016

We do not use a bull, only AI and embryos. There have been numerous times our females will not take AI. I will put a cheap embryo in them on those cases, and each time they have stuck the embryo.This is mostly heifers, and we make sure we use an embryo that is calving ease. But it has worked for us. And we often find they will take AI the following year, but I tend to continue to use them for a recip at that point.

WinterSpringsFarm · Jun 20, 2016

Fire sweep, how many attempts do you give them before putting in an embryo?

I wasn't planing on using a bull either, but feel I have no choice in order to calve when I want them to.

OH Breeder · Jun 21, 2016

If it were me
One have the vet examine her for fertility etc.
We wait on our show heifers to calve til they are three. They seem to have less dystocia and we make them shed the pounds so we can manage the weights. Show heifers sometime are just too hog fat for breeding purposes. I have a wonderful calving ease bull and have trouble heifers sticking AI but breed natural service. If you think there is genetic potential, you should investigate your options.