Genetically superior animals have always been the key to a successful program in the breeding of livestock. To properly complete this task, you need to find the ideal farm animal breeders to continue your animal population. Whether it's bovine breeding, swine breeding or exotic animal breeding you're involved in, animal husbandry is an important part of agriculture.
Finding that perfect mate when breeding livestock can be a tricky process, however. You want to find a male that can create the perfect animal with the best features. If you're into beef cattle breeding, you want a calf that can grow to provide the most meat. If you're into dairy cattle breeding, you want a calf that has the ability to produce the most milk. When looking for livestock breeders, consider the following:
1. Choose the right livestock breeders for your current situation.
2. Look into advances in technology to assist your livestock genetics needs.
3. Secure livestock breeding equipment at your facility.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Locate the farm animal breeders for your livestock
Although it's ideal to find a cattle insemination supply company nearby, it's not necessary. With advances in technology, semen can be shipped from many different locations. Most cattle semen suppliers also have catalogs where you can peruse the bulls and see what they have to offer.
I recommend: Breeders' World includes a lengthy list of top beef cattle breeding organizations within the United States. Check out
Cattle.com for breeds, sale prices at recent auctions and information about selected bulls.
Bovine Elite, llc. also offers an extensive list of cattle semen available for purchase.
Utilize technology for livestock breeding and genetics
Biotechnology can assist you when selecting the perfect livestock embryo. In addition to general artificial insemination, there are options now for cattle semen suppliers to examine cattle semen and weed out the imperfect specimens. In another situation, superior female animals are used as a source of genetic material where they retrieve the unfertilized eggs and artificially inseminate them, then transfer them inside an unrelated dam. This results in a higher reproductive rate.
I recommend: Check out livestock breeders and genetics found at
The Cattle Pages. Another one to view is the
TheCattleSite.com, where you can find an extensive directory of animal genetics. If it's a specific company you're after, the
Double R Cattle Company is one that works with two other herds to raise embryo transfer calves.
Purchase livestock breeding equipment
Even if you don't plan to breed your livestock on-site, you need to make sure you have the equipment on-hand for when you order the livestock semen. The semen is usually sent to you in a labeled, plastic straw, frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor and then placed in liquid nitrogen containers. One straw is good for one artificial insemination. When sent to you, it's best to place it in your liquid nitrogen container promptly, and keep it in the container until it's needed for insemination. Properly stored beef semen can last for years.
I recommend: For optimal storage tanks for your livestock semen, check out
SemenTanks.com.
Dickinson Cattle Co., Inc. is another reputable business where you can pick up a liquid nitrogen storage tank or other cattle semen supplies. For transporting livestock semen, as well as purchasing semen storage temperature indicators, look into
Rotech Livestock Equipment Ltd.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Although the risk is small, it's a good idea to invest in breeders' insurance when dealing with livestock breeding and genetics. Certain equine and bovine breeds can cost thousands of dollars to replace if they die or become injured during the gestational time frame.
The official source of Livestock Breeding and Genetics is
the Livestock Breeding and Genetics page at Business.com
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