Low Stress Cattle Handling Systems in Artificial Insemination (AI)

Summary

What has been done 
All producers involved in the school attended a 2 day workshops run by LSS Australian company which was run especially for the participants at Goondiwindi. The owner of the LSS company offered to send instructors to each of the properties at the initiation of the trial, however, Mirri Mirri did not receive an instructor on site as the instructor in their vicinity moved. 650 heifers were offered by the group for use in this trial. 290 were used at Ravensbourne, 70 were used on Mirri Mirri and 310 are to be used at Rosevale. Half of these heifers on each property were included in the low stress group, the other half left in the paddock until immediately prior to the AI program. All heifers were then run back in the paddock pregnancy testing at 35 days. 
All heifers were vaccinated against pestivirus, leptospirosis and clostridial diseases, one month prior to A.I. The Rosevale group also received vitamin A and D. Each low stress group of heifers experienced intensive 1day of handling by experienced Low Stress stock handlers one month prior to the start of insemination (except at Mirri Mirri where the property owners did this themselves). Each week after this they spent at least 2 hours walking through yards and crush. During the AI program both groups received the same treatment. All were blanket A.Id 2 days after CIDR removal with a second dose for those returning to heat that afternoon or second dose on the morning of the 3rd day. At Rosevale the 2 A.Is were supplemented with further A.I. on heat detection