Natural breeding requires the farmer have access to both male and female livestock. On most farms, a few males breed most of the females. This method works well if your goal is to have average-producing animals. Leaving the breeding to the livestock lets nature take its own course. Unfortunately, you need a hands-on approach to utilize the genetic potential of your livestock.
Artificial insemination, on the other hand, requires the farmer to be much more aware of their livestock's reproductive cycle. The farmer who uses an A.I. program will benefit in two ways. A.I. is well suited to improving herd performance. It permits the farmer to select the ideal male to mate with each female on the farm. The dairy industry embraced A.I. over the last thirty years and has seen tremendous gains in milk production. They breed millions of cattle each year around the world artificially. One can see similar results with meat livestock. The second advantage to the farmer is reduced costs associated with not keeping males on the farm. Some small farms may only have three or four head of cattle. A.I. can be several times cheaper than keeping a bull year-round.
Successful A.I. programs require patience, a through understanding of bovine reproduction and attention to detail. Artificial insemination of cattle requires special training. A world-wide network of artificial insemination businesses exists. There are places where semen is collected, processed into straws, stored and distributed to the farmer. Performance records are kept on the bulls, allowing the farmer to select the right bull for their cow. A.I. courses are often available through these companies to train the farmer in proper insemination techniques. Depending on their situation, the farmer may choose to store semen on their farm and do their own insemination. The alternative is to have semen stored at the A.I. center and arrange for an A.I. technician to come to the farm and inseminate the livestock. The disadvantage of artificial insemination is the level of herd and semen management required. An A.I. program can fail in several ways. The first is incorrect heat detection. Identification of cattle in heat is critical. The farmer must closely monitor those cattle exhibiting estrus to decide when they are in standing heat and ready to breed. Careless semen handling is the second way A.I. can fail. The bull semen must be stored, transported and thawed correctly to ensure it remains viable. The third area is improper insemination technique. Proper training and experience are necessary to be successful. The farmer often overlooks the last area. Record keeping is important for following individual cows' cycles, birthing dates and missed breedings.
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