Cattle Visions TAI Calculator

[CAB]

  I ran across this TAI calculator on another site and thought that it may help some people figure out what their protocol schedule should be.

http://cattlevisions.com/calc_tai.php

 

[edmun2010]

has anyone used this  heifer protocol with the cidr being in for 14 days ?

 

[CAB]

  Yes and it will sync the heifer tight but with the cidr being in such a long time there is a risk of developing an infection. I think the results will be pretty much the same as the 7-day protocol.

 

[JJOHNSON]

Thanks for the link CAB.  We tried the 14 day CIDR schedule last year.  Didn’t see any difference over the 7 day CIDR schedule.  And it took away some flexibility when you have to schedule everything that far in advance.  We’re going back to the 7 day schedule this year.

 

[CAB]

  The 14 day cidr protocol in theory is based on the MGA program that was used 3 to 4 decades ago with more sure ways to make sure the heifers get what they need when they need to get them.
  I think most people have switched back to the 7 day protocol for one reason or another.

 

[SEA]

  The 14 day cidr protocol in theory is based on the MGA program that was used 3 to 4 decades ago with more sure ways to make sure the heifers get what they need when they need to get them.
  I think most people have switched back to the 7 day protocol for one reason or another.

I have been having problems getting heifers bred A.I. when using CIDRs and injections, several programs tried.  I am looking to try something different.

Is anyone still using/or gone back to using MGA in some type of synchronization protocol for heifers?

 

[shortybreeder]

SEA what kind of conception rates have you been getting? What size needles for injections? Time of year? And do you make sure the CIDRS are soaked in a sanitized solution before putting them in?

 

[pweaver]

What size needle do you suggest?  And do you sanitize the new CIDR's or just one's previously used?  Don't see the need to sanitize new ones.

 

[shortybreeder]

I believe we currently use 18 gauge 1 1/2 inch needles, IM. We sanitize new and used (if we even reuse them). In order to put them in we have to put them in warm water, so sanitizing is as simple as adding a splash of Nolvasan  (or Iodine if we are out) and we also sanitize the towels we use to wipe off the vulva before inserting the CIDR. We finally got a good mineral program going on the beef farm, and this year I only had 1 out of 10 miss on 1st round of synchronization (including 2 embryo transfers). My dad's AngusXHOL (out of his hard-breeding Holstein dairy cows) had 2/6 that just flat out didn't breed, but the ones that did all hit on 1st round. Every beef female (cows and heifers) are due the same day except for 2 who calved late last year and therefore got bred a month later than everyone else. And of course excluding the 2 embryos because they are matured 7 days before freezing. We are going to be busy in the next 3 weeks

 

[pweaver]

What is your mineral program and where are you located (state, province, etc.)?  I really liked Right Now mineral, especially the weather resistant granular, but our dealer stopped handling it stating the formula had been changed.  Did anyone else hear this?  Tried VitaFerm as everyone swears by it, but our cows wouldn't eat it.  Also don't like the powder texture.  Haven't given up on it totally, but am concerned they aren't eating it and getting what they need.  Or do they need it?

 

[Doc]

What is your mineral program and where are you located (state, province, etc.)?  I really liked Right Now mineral, especially the weather resistant granular, but our dealer stopped handling it stating the formula had been changed.  Did anyone else hear this?  Tried VitaFerm as everyone swears by it, but our cows wouldn't eat it.  Also don't like the powder texture.  Haven't given up on it totally, but am concerned they aren't eating it and getting what they need.  Or do they need it?

I wouldn't give up on the Vita ferm mineral. IMO it is the best out there.

 

[shortybreeder]

I'm in Southeastern MN. I tried ConceptAid (I think that is a VitaFerm product?) the year before last, had to set up 3 different cows twice before we got one to form a CL worth putting an embryo in... Haven't bought that stuff since. We use Purina Wind&Rain with Availa 4 for the mineral, and Accuration supplement tubs. They get pretty spendy, but the conception rate differences between years kinda speaks for itself...

 

[Doc]

Like I said "IMO" the Concept Aid is the best out there. We do AI and ET work with our cows and have not had any issues. The key is using a good mineral program of some sort. It is kind of like Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Everyone thinks theirs is the best.

 

[shortybreeder]

I know a lot of people who swear by ConceptAid and it is a qualit product. I wasn't trying to argue mine was better, just pointing out that for us and our feedstuffs it was clear which was more successful.