cow vs. heifer a.i

[cebwtx]

I am new to using a.i. with my cattle so I have a question. I don't know if it is a reasonable question but here it is anyway. Is a cow or a heifer more likely to be successful on a.i. . Or does it go like most things related to cattle and just depend on the animal its self. I have a cow that has had 4 calves (the old fashioned way) and a heifer  that I am having a.i.ed and did not know what to expect. Just wondering what everyone Else's experiences have been.

 

[lightnin4]

A good a.i. tech should be as successful with a heifer as he is with a cow.  That said, many people find heifers easier to breed because the reproductive tract hasn't been "stretched" and the cervix is usually easier to find/reach.  Personally, I think the difficulty varies from individual to indvidual and it doesn't matter to me if its a cow or heifer.  For instance, when I was doing my A.I. training, one of the cows I tested on had an "L" shaped cervix and sat down as soon as you inserted your arm...I found her to be quite difficult!  (lol)

 

[Bulldaddy]

A properly excecuted AI program should result in similar results as natural service.  We use total AI in our breeding program, and yes, we do have a few open cows that get moved to the next breeding season or go to town depending on the situation.   Your cow and heifer sound like they would be good candidates for AI and their progency should be more valuable should you choose to give it a try.  It is more work but worth the effort.  Good luck.

 

[CAB]

Strictly according to data and #s, heifers have slightly higher conception rates than cows.

 

[Cattledog]

I don't really see much difference when I AI.  What I do notice is that heifers show heat better than cows.....at least at my place.  Our cows are mostly old show heifers and are puppy dog tame.  They don't get worked up by much.

 

[KMJCC]

Just gpt done going through my A.I training class and that was a big topic we discussed.  We all concluded that as long as your cattle are in good condition it really should be about the same.  Yes a heifers cervix is going to be smaller and easier to reach and a cow should have a larger cervix and may be harder to reach since a lot of them could drop off past the pelvic bone.  I did learn one thing in my class that every cow is different and you don't know until you give it a try.  I am excited to get started with my A.I.ing in the next couple weeks.  Good Luck!

 

[SPL]

I have always heard heifers are easier to get bred than cows, but in my case, my conception rates have been considerably higher on mature cows over the past 10 years.