Now we have a REAL diplomat !! Good one !! hehehe
I kind of know the reason you didn't mention that method, as it is used with a drug not approved in the good old USA -- although it is still being used -- ARGH
Timed A-I -- ahhhhhhhhhhhh ?? I don't like it -- never have liked it -- probably never will like it. To go thru all the problems and work it takes to do an A-I program -- along wit hthe cost whether it works or not, I see very little reason to skimp when it comes to breeding on TIME. Time meaning the CORRECT time. I have said for years and years here in my ETbusiness that timing is almost EVERYTHING when it comes to geting good embryos. Even if everything we do is perfect, if the timing is wrong when we breed, it is all for nothing!
I admit that syncronizing your cows has merit -- but I do not see the real benefit to just going out at say 10AM and start smacking semen into what ever cow happens to come to the chute! It will not give you very good results most of the time. At least not good enough results consistently!
Sync your cows for a target day -- get out there with them many times before they are due and all the way thru till well after they were due -- breed the ones who show heat -- and the ones that do not -- re-shoot 11 days after the first ones were shot. That is about as good as it gets. The only thing better -- would be to not sync, and breed them on natural heats -- we do here -- and all my cows are serviced within 21 days --
Sure I may have a small herd, but it sounds like you may one too -- I hate repeats and always have so I make sure I wait till she is done, and then wait some more! Last year I had one open cow that I for sure thought was bred, that was the first one in many years -- but I also know we all can't live with the cows like I do. Do the best you can -- patience!!!!!!!!!
If I can be of any help -- just ask -- I don't know everything that works -- but after these many years, I have pretty much figured out what DON'T work!!! hehehe
Good luck -- Terry