Somebody please tell me the truth

[shortii]

This has probably been asked a million times and I may have asked the same question and cant remember. I had bought I-80 semen in January and I have only AI'd one of my cows with that semen so far. She hasn't passed over yet. But right after I had AI'd her I heard rumors about him having a bad batch of semen got distributed. So I called the place where I had ordered it and when I asked the guy on the phone talked to me like I was an idiot and started to ask who told me. I didn't say who it was other than a guy that helps me AI my cows (Which is what he does for a living) but I didn't say who because I don't want to get anyone in trouble. All I want to know is if its true or not. I really like the looks of the bull and am not trying to drive business away from him. I just want to know so I can figure out if I can keep using his semen or not.


Please all I want is the truth and thanks for the response. 

 

[CAB]

Take your tank into the vet and have them analyze your I-80 semen than you'll know for sure about your lot.

 

[DLD]

If you're concerned about the quality of any semen you purchased, you're free to have it tested.  It'll probably mean burning a straw of semen, but if it proves to be bad, you should be able to get your money back for it.  Most distributors will want you to send a straw back to them to be tested, but if you trust a local vet or e.t. tech, you can find out for yourself first.  If you're lucky, you might even be able to work it out where you can save a drop on a slide next time you thaw a straw to breed a cow, then get it quickly to someone with a good microscope that knows what they're looking at.

on edit - Like CAB said. Sorry, slow connection.

 

[shortii]

OK I will have to do that. Thanks again for the advice.  ;D

 

[JSchroeder]

Another option is to look into buying an old microscope on ebay/craigslist.  We got one for $50 and have started checking just about everything we get in.  It's cheap and easy to do.

 

[CAB]

Another option is to look into buying an old microscope on ebay/craigslist.  We got one for $50 and have started checking just about everything we get in.  It's cheap and easy to do.

What Jeff said, but be sure that you know how to properly thaw semen and know what you have to do to look @ it. There are some things that you'll need to know, like to warm up the slides or you'll get a miscalculation, have stain on hand and some other little things. Not hard, but you need to be taught the correct procedure. Your vet can teach you everything that you'll want to know. Probably a youtube video online.

 

[hntwhitetail]

What power microscope works the best??

 

[JSchroeder]

Not 100% sure and it's at the ranch but don't buy one of the kiddie ones at Wal-Mart (experience).

Like what CAB mentioned, a vet ought to be more than happy to show you what he's looking for some time when you take a bull in to get checked.  The dye isn't that expensive.  If not, you're going to the wrong vet.

I don't do anything resembling an official count, I just check to make sure there are well formed sperm and that they're fairly active.  That last tiny bit that's left in the straw after using is plenty to check.  If there appears to be an issue with it, then I'd go to somebody who knows more.