Artificial Insemination (AI) has been an advantage to many breeders of all animals for decades. With the first recorded success in 1890 on rabbits, and later being successful in bovine animals in the 1950’s, by Jim Rowson in Cambridge, it isn’t hard to imagine the success rates AI is having in modern times. The non-surgical procedure is one of the leading reasons as to why the gender price gap between male and female cattle is closing.
At the end of January, breeders Christine Williams and her husband Paul Tippets broke the world record of highest selling cow by selling their Limousin heifer at their reduction sale for an eye watering 250,000 gns. ‘Poshspice’ beat the previous breed record of a bull at 140,000 gns, begging the question “what the appeal in spending such a large amount on an animal is?”
Embryo transfer and other artificial insemination procedures offer breeders the chance to increase the calf production of a desirable cow/heifer, therefore increasing the breeder’s income. For example, Whinfell Park who are part owners of the world record heifer and their head stockman Craig Douglas, explained that they plan on sending Poshspice for AI treatments to increase her calf production. As a result, they will have a larger range of calves and embryos to either sell to fellow breeders at society sales and internationally, have multiple show heifers when the agricultural shows can continue, or breed from the calves themselves therefore keeping her desirable bloodlines.
Embryo transfer is a simple and relatively inexpensive procedure offering many benefits. The process lowers the risk of infectious disease transmission, is often cheaper than buying other desirable animals, has simple transportation logistics and offers the chance for breeders to sell their genetics internationally. With the chance to reach breeders in other countries, it increases the ability to bring characteristics from different regions into one breed, therefore producing a breed with a more diverse set of attributes.
A study in Louisiana, which included 1,116 beef and dairy cows stretching over 15 breeds, found that 58 percent of all embryos were transferable, 31 percent were unfertilized and only 11 percent had come back degenerated. It is suggested that on average a cow produces 150,000 eggs in her lifetime but only produces 8 or 9 calves naturally. Embryo transfer increases the cow’s production of calves therefore increasing her value and making potential owners more inclined to spend more money.
On the other hand, there are a few downsides to Artificial Insemination. There is a need for higher quality semen to ensure that fertilisation is successful, good quality semen is sometimes pricey and not all farmers can afford the procedures, which increases the gap between small farmers and those with larger herds. There also is a risk with waiting a long time for heifers and cows to be productive and to make sure the donor cow is also in the same cycle to make sure that they increase the chance of a rewarding outcome.
It is not surprising that the demand for females with desirable genetics are making their mark. With agricultural shows giving farmers the chance to parade their animals and reach a larger crowd of potential buyers, whilst creating a reputation and a buzz for award winning animals, AI is a money-making procedure that you would be a fool to miss out on.
