Dave Hale, LIC’s AB manager, visited
scores of farms throughout New Zealand last September and October, and believes
too many AB facilities 'still leave a bit to be desired'.
“To my way of thinking low-quality AB facilities will probably impact the AB results those same farm owners are about to receive. If you get disappointing results, look first at the quality of facilities you’re providing.”
While it’s widely acknowledged that a number of factors impact a cow’s ability to get in-calf, from condition and nutrition, to accurate heat detection and more, perhaps not so well publicised is the part farm infrastructure and mating process plays.
Poor facilities, unnecessary distractions, and uncomfortable work environments, can prevent even the most skilled AB technician from doing the best job possible, Dave says.
“Look, I visited about 250 farms over the mating season, and spoke to at least the same number of farmers. It was a busy time for AB Operations at LIC… about 4.5 million straws of fresh semen were dispatched to about 850 AB Techs throughout New Zealand over the course of the four month lead-up to Christmas.
Are your AB facilities good enough?
“But what I’m saying is that my farm visits provided a unique overview of the various AB facility set-ups throughout the country, and how our AB service plays out on-farm.
“Some facilities were clearly not up to scratch, and they’re perhaps falling behind the eight-ball compared to colleagues who have clearly made smart investment in their AB facilities over the past decade.
"For those that have done the work, it’s perhaps a reflection of how serious the business of mating has become on-farm.”
Consistent with Dave’s farm visits last AB season, a recent survey of his team found that a number of LIC AB Techs found themselves using facilities which were ‘less than comfortable’, and they said this impacted their ability to do their job.
As a farmer, in your heart-of-hearts, you’ll know whether your AB facilities are a source of pride or not, Dave says.
If they’re not, it’s time to make some changes – well before the next mating season is suddenly upon us, he says.
Easy as 1-2-3
If anyone is any doubt, the following is Dave’s ‘three-step check’ to help self-assess whether your farm’s facilities are measuring up:
- The cows – they need to be walking in
and rowing up happily without any significant human input.
- The AB technician – they need a large, solid, platform at the right height so they can concentrate on getting the cow in-calf without any environmental distraction.
- The farmer – take the initiative to chat with your AB Tech, and ask them questions that could improve your AB facilities or the way you present the cows to help the tech do their job.
We all want the best result we can get
It’s the LIC AB Technician team’s job to inseminate up to 80 per cent of the national herd, and get them in-calf, Dave says. The team takes great pride in their results, and have deep appreciation that theirs one of the most critical jobs on-farm.
And from LIC’s, and the shareholders’, viewpoint, both share a responsibility to ensure health and safety takes priority for the AB Technician.
On the rare occasion this comes into question, because a farm’s infrastructure doesn’t meet standards, LIC may need to exercise its right to withhold service until the situation is rectified.
“Let’s all stay ahead of the game and provide AB techs with the best opportunity to get your cows in-calf next season,” Dave says. “That is: easily accessible cows; clean conditions, and; organised infrastructure.
“And let’s all do our bit to keep the techs safe while they do that vital job.”
