cowfitter
Member
I was wondering what it costs in your area of the world to flush a cow, and when implanting does it just take an AI tech or do you need to go through an embryo specialist?
embryo transfer
- Thread starter cowfitter
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firesweepranch
Well-known member
If you buy embryo's with a guarantee, you have to use a certified embryologist to implant them or the guarantee is void. Our embryologist comes to our place and charges $75 to put one in. And we only do one at a time, since we are small. Last year, our first cow took to the first embryo, and we tried a second cow two different times and she did not, so $150 wasted, not to mention the cost of the embryos. Funny thing is, she caught on the next cycle to AI (bred to Amigo- which we do ourselves), so not sure why she did not take the embryos.
The cost to flush is a lot more, because the hormones involved, but it is cheaper if done at your place out here, and I know our guy charges $25 and embryo just to freeze (not sure what he charges to set up the cow since we have not flushed one yet - they have to prove themselves as cows before we plan to flush). The embryo we just had born in December came from a flush of 52 number ones, so imagine the expense of freezing that many!!!
The cost to flush is a lot more, because the hormones involved, but it is cheaper if done at your place out here, and I know our guy charges $25 and embryo just to freeze (not sure what he charges to set up the cow since we have not flushed one yet - they have to prove themselves as cows before we plan to flush). The embryo we just had born in December came from a flush of 52 number ones, so imagine the expense of freezing that many!!!
OKshorthorn
Well-known member
We just flushed a cow twice, it ended up being around $1,400 total. Both places we have used to flush a cow charged us a flat rate of $100 to freeze the embryos whether it was 2 or 20.
CAB
Well-known member
OK,
Wow that sounds like a pretty good deal. I just flushed two last month and got 4 grade ones out of one and 21 grade ones out of the other and had to toss the others because the bill was racking up. It costs us $700 in drugs and fees and then $50 freeze charge per egg and another $50 implant fee per egg so it got real expensive real quick. The first cow flushed 33 eggs but we tried sexed semen and only got 4 good eggs. Won"t do that again anytime soon but on the other hand had it turn out better it would have cost me a fortune.
Talked to a guy in PA a few years ago who does a lot of flush work. He pays for drugs and then pays his embryo guy a day rate fee and he flushes alll the cows they have set up that day, no other fees. Now that's a deal. He said he could never afford to pay what we do.
Cowfitter,
Our AI guy breeds the flush cow, but our vet who does embryo work performs the flush and implants all the eggs. Good Luck!!
Wow that sounds like a pretty good deal. I just flushed two last month and got 4 grade ones out of one and 21 grade ones out of the other and had to toss the others because the bill was racking up. It costs us $700 in drugs and fees and then $50 freeze charge per egg and another $50 implant fee per egg so it got real expensive real quick. The first cow flushed 33 eggs but we tried sexed semen and only got 4 good eggs. Won"t do that again anytime soon but on the other hand had it turn out better it would have cost me a fortune.
Talked to a guy in PA a few years ago who does a lot of flush work. He pays for drugs and then pays his embryo guy a day rate fee and he flushes alll the cows they have set up that day, no other fees. Now that's a deal. He said he could never afford to pay what we do.
Cowfitter,
Our AI guy breeds the flush cow, but our vet who does embryo work performs the flush and implants all the eggs. Good Luck!!
angus88
Active member
Flushing is a tad bit pricey, it can cost us anywhere from $900 to $1200. Sometimes I get the hormones and drugs myself and can get them a bit cheaper. I have a smaller operation than my father so I put in my own embryos so I can by pass paying someone to do it. I went to school to learn how to flush cows and all that, but it's tough by yourself without the right facilities. I do feel embryos are worth it, just wish I had more cows to justify it. ;D
CAB
Well-known member
There's a school in Manhatten,Ks that teaches embryo transfer. I've heard from PPL that have attended that it is a good school.
angus88
Active member
I know of a person who went to that school, it's suppose to be a good one. I went down to Senatobia MS for mine and I learned a lot and really enjoyed it. The one in MS is a few days longer than the one in KS. But I heard all good things about both of them.
CAB
Well-known member
angus88 said:
I've been toying with the idea of going to the school in Manhatten. If you don't mind my asking, how are you getting along with tranferring embryos? Have you tried to put very many in? Thanks, Cab
angus88
Active member
I don't mind putting embryos in, yes it's a little more complicated than when a person AI's, but I have had good luck doing it and I'm happy with my success rate. I took the class at the National Embryo School back in 2004 and I've doing that since. I will say I am not fond of all the microscope work and it's just not for me, I have flushed my own cows before. I am much happier letting someone else flush the cows and then I put in the embryos! I do like the fact that I don't have to rely on anyone else to do it for me, or when it's convenient for them. So I think you should really consider taking the class, if anything it is a fantastic just for the information you walk away with.
I also know a few years ago some states were trying to ban embryo transfer when it is not performed by a vet, Iowa was one of them. Here is NE we are still good, so I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide!!
I also know a few years ago some states were trying to ban embryo transfer when it is not performed by a vet, Iowa was one of them. Here is NE we are still good, so I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide!!
