Why Do Farmers Use Artificial Insemination?

Artificial insemination (A.I.) is a fast growing practice on farms big and small. The semen of a bull is extracted and stored in tubes called "straws." One straw is enough to breed one cow. Straws can be frozen and shipped anywhere in the world.

  1. Cost

    • Some farmers choose to use artificial insemination to save money. A.I. eliminates the extra expense of purchasing, feeding and caring for a bull.

    Selective Breeding

    • Using artificial insemination, farmers can choose what bull breeds each of his cows. A farmer may choose to raise several different pure breeds of cattle in a single herd, and A.I. makes this easier than the traditional method of separating herds by breed.

    Timing

    • Using artificial insemination allows the farmer to know exactly when a cow was bred. Farmers can time the calving season around the worst hot and cold weather months.

    Exhibition

    • Artificial insemination enables breeders to produce calves by champion bulls that are hundreds of miles away.

    Inbreeding

    • A lot of farmers keep their heifers to replenish the breeding stock in the herd. Artificial insemination lets them keep heifers without changing the bull every year to avoid inbreeding.