Successful semi-commercial artificial insemination of ewes

H.H. Meyer and T.G. Harvey

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton and Rotomahana Research Station Rotorua

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1981, 41: 288-292

Artificial insemination (AI) was successful as an alternative to natural service in single sire mating groups. Conception rate to first service was lower with AI (65%) than for pen (68%) or paddock mating (80%), but the proportion of ewes lambing to a seven-week mating period was comparable for AI (92%) and paddock mating (93%) and higher than for pen mating (88%).

No sire or ewe breed differences were noted for conception rate in any of the mating systems although the flighty nature of Booroola merinos made them more difficult to train for semen collection.

AI required more technical expertise than pen mating but less capital intensive facilities. It was more labour intensive than pen mating, particularly when ram training was included, but during the mating period required mustering and drafting of marked ewes only once, rather than twice, daily.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 12-09-1998