The average pregnancy rates reported for these protocols ranges from 46 to 68% in cows (based on data from 14,203 cows) and 45 to 61% in heifers (based on 12,280 heifers). If properly implemented, they can consistently yield acceptable rates of estrus (“heat”) and pregnancy. The protocols identified by this group are proven, require working cattle three times through a chute (maximum), are affordable, and are relatively easy to accomplish. The Beef Reproduction Task Force, a group of beef cattle reproductive specialists, annually publishes a list of these proven protocols on their website. University researchers have recently “recommended” several proven protocols for commercial cow/calf producers to use on their cows and heifers. mass insemination, etc.), it can be difficult for producers to choose the best option for their operation – many producers are overwhelmed with too many options. However, since several variables are involved in synchronization protocols (types of drugs used, timing of injections, timing of fixed-time AI, heat detection vs. Many protocols effectively synchronize a large percentage of the cowherd and lead to reasonable pregnancy rates.
Over the past several decades, well over 50 different estrous synchronization protocols have been developed and tested in cowherds. There are many options available to implement this system of “AI + natural service” on cow/calf operations.
Instead, many cow/calf producers synchronize estrus and AI their cows once prior to turning out clean-up bulls. The use of AI alone (with no clean-up bulls) to get all of your cows bred during the breeding season is probably unrealistic on most commercial cow/calf operations, since it requires a long period of heat detection (upwards of 45 to 60 days). Other reasons for not using AI include difficulty or complication (20%), cost (13%), lack of facilities (7%), and a belief that “it does not work” (3%). Nearly 40% of beef producers who don’t use AI indicated that labor and time were the most common reasons for not using AI, according to USDA survey data.
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