Embarrassing story time! Much younger me was sitting in her Kindergarten classroom telling all of her friends what she had witnessed last night. “And then, he stuck the straw of semen into the cow’s vagina…” Oh ya, I knew ALL about it. After perhaps the most awkward parent teacher conference ever and a dinner table conversation going something like, “Although sharing is great, maybe we don’t need to be sharing that information with your friends,” I began to get the impression that not everyone really understood the differences between cattle and humans.
As I began to get do research for Farming Truth, I realized that this misunderstanding is further amplified by the vegan movement, which claims that the practice of artificial insemination in livestock is comparable to rape because, in their minds, it is against the animal’s will. However, as discussed in my post about weaning calves prematurely, relationships in cattle are not as complex as relationships in humans. For cattle, there is no emotional connection between cow and bull and intercourse is simply a result of instincts—not of free will. In the wild or under natural, un-hindered conditions, cows naturally give birth annually—this is not an effect of human intervention. The differences between cattle and humans are numerous (obviously…), but the most pronounced is the fact that, if a female bovine goes too long without breeding, she will become infertile. This goes to show just how imperative it is for farmers to promote regular pregnancy to encourage the animals’ natural cycles.
But why artificial insemination instead of just turning them out to a pasture and allowing them to breed naturally?
What is Artificial Insemination?
Artificial insemination is exactly what it sounds like: semen is taken from a bull and implanted into a cow using specialized equipment. The technique is fairly complicated, and so there are many classes and certification programs that professionals undergo to be able to inseminate on a large scale. One of the key elements of the process is timing: producers must detect cycle mile-markers in the cattle and act accordingly within a very narrow time window. With innovations in this practice and many technological advances, semen is now being shipped overseas, new breeds have been developed or improved upon, and AI, as it’s commonly called, is a commonplace practice throughout the agricultural industry.
Some Fast Facts About AI
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Benefits of Artificial Insemination
Farmers use artificial insemination for many reasons—one of them being animal welfare. Yes, AI is, in many instances, more humane, as it has a multitude of benefits for both the animals and the breeders:
Sources:
Blezinger, Steven B. "Cattle Today: ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION: ONE OF THE INDUSTRY'S MOST UNDER UTILIZED TOOLS." Cattle Today. Cattle Today, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
Cothren, John, and JoAnne Gryder. "What Are the Advantages of Using Artificial Insemination (AI) in Your Livestock Breeding Program?" NC Cooperative Extension News. NC State University, 29 June 2016. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
"History of Artificial Insemination." Artificial Insemination. ANSCI, 5 May 2000. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
Farmers use artificial insemination for many reasons—one of them being animal welfare. Yes, AI is, in many instances, more humane, as it has a multitude of benefits for both the animals and the breeders:
- Prevents injuries to animals that can occur from natural breeding (bulls can weigh over 1500 lbs more than females!)
- Allows farmers to keep cows indoors and out of harsh climatic conditions
- Avoids the spread of sexually transmitted infections
- Increases bull efficiency—one ejaculation can be used on multiple cows
- Promotes high quality genetics that allow farmers to get higher yields with fewer inputs
- Achieves a more uniform calf crop by having a shorter calving season
- Creates jobs
- Is usually cheaper than natural breeding
- Promotes understanding of livestock biology
- Removes the risks of having to keep a bull on the farm
Sources:
Blezinger, Steven B. "Cattle Today: ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION: ONE OF THE INDUSTRY'S MOST UNDER UTILIZED TOOLS." Cattle Today. Cattle Today, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
Cothren, John, and JoAnne Gryder. "What Are the Advantages of Using Artificial Insemination (AI) in Your Livestock Breeding Program?" NC Cooperative Extension News. NC State University, 29 June 2016. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
"History of Artificial Insemination." Artificial Insemination. ANSCI, 5 May 2000. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.