by Darol Dickinson

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (AI) is not new. It has been widely used since the 1940s. In fact nearly 100% of all record high producing dairy cows world-wide are conceived by AI.

From the earliest times Texas Longhorn conceptions were a migration of processes from multiple sire herds, single sire herds, AI, embryo transfer, cloning, and IVF. Cloning and IVF are the most costly. Single sire is the least effort, yet AI is the most talked about, versatile and popular. All of which have assisted in creation of great breed-leading specimens.

To compare results will confuse the best thinkers. Cowboy Tuff Chex, Jam Box, Silent Iron, 3S Danica, Galore Gala, Fiddle Sticks, Top Star, Clear Point, etc., were natural service conceived. Kid Rock, Tempter, Overwhelmer, Phenomenon, Drag Iron, Cut’n Dried, Drop Box, Colluder, Fast Stuff, etc., were AI conceptions.

Multiple sire herds assume the highest conception. When 2 to a dozen bulls service a cow, that is really guaranteeing a conception, but for a registered herd no one knows the correct sire without the cost and aggravation of DNA.

Cloning is a cost of $15,000 or more. It does no damage to the donor and a duplicate of the original critter’s DNA is born. Amazingly consistent, yet slight variations.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the last resort for a great cow who has been damaged with a breech birth. It is costly, but some genetics may be salvaged. Repeated flushing using IVF has been the demise of some really great cows who eventually became totally sterile. It is the most stressing of any type of reproduction to the cows long term production, mostly due to over flushing, too often.

Embryo transfer has been very successful to ship genetics around the world. If cows are allowed some time between flushes they may not suffer long term damage allowing for many future natural births. Again, multiple flushes has eleminated the fertility of many wonderful cows.

Single sire is the most used world wide. This is one bull with one cow herd. From TLBAA records of 2022, they registered 8641 calves from natural service, 280 from artificial insemination and 185 from embryo transfer. Virtually all embryo transfers use AI so adding them together equals 465—a percentage of 5.3% use of AI. In commercial beef herds the percent of AI is just slightly over 3%.

Advantages of single sire use is that the bull does the job day or night, wind or snow. He is out with the cows doing his job.

The average cattle herd in the USA is 18 head. Although articles are written about herds of thousands of cattle, the one and two show calf herds make it average 18 head.

It is one thing to buy a natural service sire and breed 60 cows, then another to breed 4 cows. Normal business thinking is that no one can afford the best bull in the breed for 4 cows. That is where AI can come in. On the other hand, one would be foolish with a 60 cow herd not to acquire a very high quality bull—maybe a high dollar well advertised bull. It has to amortize out.

Artificial Insemination of cattle requires more planning; more pieces to the puzzle. It requires locating an inseminator who will show up and AI breed cows on time. Heat cycles have to be carefully identified with heat patches or some other method.

Most veterinarians are well trained to AI cows and most have their own semen storage tanks. However vets can make a lot more money casting a cat’s broken leg than AIing a cow. Locating a local dairy staff person who may AI 20 cows a month can be a savings to help make a good solid AI plan. Most producers who raise registered or show cattle have a staff AI experienced person.

AI requires no bull, yet the purchasing of bull semen. Rather than having every calf sired by the same bull, semen can be purchased to genetically compliment different cows to assist in breed improvement. There are over 1300 Texas Longhorn sires approved for AI. That is a lot to select from. Yet, only less than 60 of these AI Enrolled Sires are popular for AI use. Some bulls are collected and no semen is ever used.

A squeeze chute is needed to AI. In fact a squeeze is needed for almost all cattle procedures, or branding, vaccinations, etc. Seldom will any vet do a farm call unless a safe confinement squeeze is available.