LAI results

[Gtown]

I use received the results of the LAI from May 25th. We dropped a little from the 90% that we got last fall. We are at exactly 75% from this spring.

If you are in the PNW I would highly recommend Martin Dally from Super Sire Ltd. 

[Bosephus]

Was that with fresh or frozen Semen

[Gtown]

Fresh semen was 23 out of 30. Frozen was 1 out of 2.

[EmsoffLambs]

I've been hearing that a lot of people had pretty good conception rates this year. But this is going to be an exciting lambing season! Congratulations!

[karinfish]

Congrats Josh!  Good luck with lambing!!

[Don Drewry]

I wonder if people are realizing that following the recommended protocols for ewes is very important and if success rates are going up because of that.

[Honey Tree]

I think you're right Don.  Following the protocol can't be stressed enough.  The other components, ewe reproductive soundness, technician skill and semen quality, are equally important for success. 

[Chuckles450]

Congrats on the great results! What Rams did you use?

[karinfish]

I'm not sure if it is paying attention to protocols or if we just know more than we did before.  Case in point, it wasn't until I read Tad Thompson's protocols that I knew that you should limit alfalfa and corn.  This was the first year I did that.  I also am a firm believer in semen quality.  When I asked Logan MacLennan about the outstanding quality of the Burn semen, he said that he performs an additional 10 extra steps to ensure the fresh semen he sends is that good as he wants the customer to be happy.  He also guarantees enough fresh semen to LAI 30 ewes but sends enough to do about 45 and recommends that you implant 45.  That way if of the straws are accidentally ruined or the tech uses to much you still have more than enough so he does not have to worry about a refund.  In my book this is called customer service.  So we implanted 42, unfortunately one ewe did not survive the process (this was a first) have 30 pregnant ewes which means I got exactly what I paid from a semen perspective and he has an extremely happy customer. Too bad all semen sales are not handled this way.  I am pretty spoiled at this point and plan on checking out MacLennan rams to purchase full fresh draws from now on!!!     

[Honey Tree]

As several of my ewes are getting round , I thought I'd weigh in with my May results.

Starting with my first spring LAI in May of 2015:  Viking Genetics at Modesto Junior College:  4 bred to Tomcat, 4 pregnant=100% (6 lambs)!

May 24, 2016: Viking Genetics at Modesto Junior College: 6 bred to Tomcat, 5 pregnant=83.33% (excited for October!)

May 28, 2016: Rule Sheep at Delta College: 4 bred to Angry Dragon, 0 pregnant=0% 

Identical protocol with each of the three May clinics.  Travel time to MJC is 20 minutes & Delta College 40 minutes.  Clinics scheduled 4 days apart.  The only real difference that I can see between the clinics is the semen. 

Very happy repeat customer of Viking Genetics.  Great customer service with Viking as well!!  Guess where my $$$ will go next May!

[EmsoffLambs]

Interesting. Was there a difference in semen preparation (fresh vs. frozen)?

[Honey Tree]

I'm not sure about Angry Dragon but Tomcat was frozen both times.

[HTP Southdowns]

Karin,
Can you link the article on limiting corn and alfalfa?

[ARLambs]

We had a long haul last year to our AI clinic, 5 hrs each way.  Bred 6 frozen semen from Viking.  Got 3 to settle.  This year we did 5 with frozen semen from Shroyer.  30min haul to AI Clinic. Got 4 to settle and the other one got a perforated rumen and had to have an open abdominal surgery to repair it, so she didn't even get the semen. 

[karinfish]

It is not an article but a recommendation in on of the protocols.  It recommends to limit corn and alfalfa 30 days prior to the LAI.  I am not sure why. But I did it this May and with such a great take rate will continue to do this in the future.  I have also since had it recommended that wheat hay actually helps increase take rates.  Has anyone else heard this?