Key Points and Detailed Operation Methods of Beef Cattle Breeding Techniques

There are two kinds of beef cattle breeding techniques, and artificial breeding is one of them. Let's take a look together below.

Beef Cattle Artificial Breeding Techniques

1. Equipment: liquid nitrogen tank (preferably 3-liter), liquid nitrogen, frozen semen (thin-tube frozen semen is more convenient), insemination (tube), thermometer, tweezers, scissors, one 3-meter-long rope. The above equipment weighs no more than 15 kg.

2. Operation

1. Based on the estrus status of the cow reported by the farmer and one's own experience, make a judgment, choose the time, and bring the equipment to the farmer's home.

2. Restraint of the estrous cow. Use the traditional castration cattle restraint method, namely rope restraint. First, tie the estrous cow to a sturdy post, then fold a 3-meter-long rope in half, and wrap it around one hind limb of the cow between the hoof and the dewclaw and tie it to the post; next, pass one end of the rope through the middle of the cow's two front limbs and pull it to the neck, while pulling the other end from the outside of the front limb to the neck; finally, tighten and knot both ends of the rope at the neck, so that the tied hind limb of the cow is suspended off the ground. In addition, use a thin rope to lift the cow's tail, and then wash the cow's vulva clean with clear water.

3. Semen thawing: First, prepare an appropriate amount of warm water at 37-42 degrees C in a container, then use tweezers to take out one thin tube of frozen semen from the liquid nitrogen tank and immerse it in the warm water, shake gently about 10 times and take it out, wipe dry the water droplets on the surface of the thin tube, cut off the seal, load the end with the stopper downward into the * , put on the outer sleeve and tighten it.

4. Insemination: Insert one hand into the rectum and grasp the cervix through the intestinal wall, while pressing down forcefully with the arm, so that the vulva opens; hold the insemination * already loaded with the thin tube of frozen semen with the other hand and insert it obliquely upward from the vulva for a certain distance, then insert it downward, so that the opening of the insemination * is aimed at the opening of the cervix, and insert all the way to the junction between the cervix and the uterine body, then withdraw the insemination * while injecting * liquid. To ensure the conception rate, repeat the mating once every other day.

5. Postoperative cleaning: First, untie the cow; second, clean (organize) the equipment and wrap it up properly; then, after returning to the station, disinfect the equipment again and store it well for next use. Using rope restraint allows breeding at the household, expands the breeding coverage, and does not affect the cow's health or conception rate, and is deeply welcomed by farmers.

Free Mating Method

This method is to put the bull into the cow herd during a certain breeding season for free choice mating. This method is simple, can reduce missed mating of cows, and increase the number of calves produced. However, the utilization rate of the bull is extremely low, the number of matings cannot be controlled, shortening the service years of good breeding bulls; the bloodline of the herd is unclear, and early mating and close-relative mating are likely to occur, affecting herd quality; it easily spreads reproductive diseases and causes external mating; the dates of mating and calving cannot be controlled; and it is not conducive to planned production. Therefore, the disadvantages of free mating far exceed its advantages, and it has now gradually been replaced by other advanced methods.

Controlled Mating Method

This is a method of artificially controlling the mating of bulls and cows. Although it still belongs to the nature of natural mating, it is far superior to the free mating method, as bulls and cows can be artificially selected and mated under specific conditions.

Beef Cattle Estrus Identification

 1. External observation method

Observe the external performance and mental state of the cow, and judge whether it is in estrus and the degree of estrus based on the cow's sexual excitement, vulvar changes, etc. According to the cow's performance, it can be divided into 3 stages.

Early estrus: The estrous cow mounts other cows, is restless, bellows, but is unwilling to accept mounting by other cows; the vulva is slightly swollen, the mucosa is congested and pink, and the vulva discharges transparent mucus, small in amount and thin like water, with weak viscosity.

Mid-estrus (climax period): The cow very quietly accepts mounting by other cows (called the standing estrus phenomenon), and traces left by mounting can be seen on the rear quarters of the estrous cow. Transparent liquid flows from the vulva. The amount increases, the viscosity is strong, and it can be stretched into long strips like a thick glass rod, and is not easy to break. The vulva is congested, swelling is obvious, wrinkles are reduced, the mucosa is flushed, and urination is frequent.

Late estrus: At this time, the cow no longer accepts mounting by other cows, the vulvar congestion and swelling begin to subside, and the discharged mucus is small in amount and poor in viscosity.

2. Vaginal examination method

Use a vaginoscope to open the vagina, and observe the color of the vaginal wall, the secreted mucus, and changes in the cervix. During estrus, the cow's vagina is moist, flushed, and has more mucus, the cervical opening is open, and there is mild swelling. This method cannot accurately judge the degree of estrus and is now rarely used, but it can sometimes serve as a reference for estrus identification in cows.

3. Rectal examination method

Insert the arm into the rectum of the female animal, and feel the changes in the ovaries and follicles with the fingers through the rectal wall. Feel the size, shape, and texture of the ovaries, the site of follicle development, size, elasticity, the thickness of the follicle wall, and whether the follicle has ruptured, whether there is a corpus luteum, etc. In early estrus, the follicle diameter is 1-1.5 cm, spherical in shape, partially protruding from the ovarian surface, with obvious fluctuation; in mid-estrus

(climax period), follicular fluid increases, the follicle wall becomes thinner, tense and elastic, with a feeling that it will rupture at a touch; in late estrus, the follicular fluid flows out, forming a small depression.