Artificial insemination (AI) in sheep
Artificial insemination offers sheep breeders the opportunity to maximize production by:
- Using one ram to serve more ewes during a period of time than he could achieve naturally
- Using semen from rams with high genetic merit to improve your lamb quality
- Reducing disease risk; new bloodlines can be accessed without needing to buy or transport animals
- Compacting your lambing, saving you labour & simplifying your husbandry & management systems
- Bringing lambs up in uniform batches for shows & sales
- Laparoscopic AI also allows you to purchase frozen semen instead of an expensive ram, or to share rams more efficiently over a greater geographic area (facilitating national SRS)
Our veterinary teams specialise in laproscopic AI in sheep; they are highly experienced and can inseminate large numbers of ewes daily depending on your set up.
On-farm AI is available for breeders with more than 25 ewes to inseminate and we also offer on-Centre AI days for breeders wanting to inseminate smaller numbers of sheep.
Cervical insemination services are also available for organic sheep breeders who wish to take advantage of AI in their flock.
We ask all clients to book your frozen semen requirements at least 14 days before your AI day. A wide range of semen from a number of different breeds is offered for sale via our annual catalogue and our Rams4Ewe website. If you wish to use semen that is stored elsewhere then we can also arrange for the administration and shipment of the semen for you.
Ask our Innovis Technical team about artificial insemination (AI)
What does an AI programme involve?
Ewes must be in season for artificial insemination and so your AI date is pre-arranged and you will be sent an AI programme which gives ‘step-by-step’ instructions at least 1 month before your sheep are due for artificial insemination.
A typical AI programme lasts 14 days: |
|
|---|---|
Day 0 |
Insert sponges |
Day 12 |
Remove sponges and inject PMSG at time specified – the timing is crucial |
Day 13 |
Starve from noon |
Day 14 |
Artificial insemination (AI) at the times specified on programme |
Why do I need to synchronise my ewes?
The timing for artificial insemination in sheep is crucial so ewes must be synchronized to be on heat at the time of AI. Ewes are synchronized using intra-vaginal sponges and PMSG may also be used depending on the breed of sheep and season. Organic sheep breeders can use teasers (vasectomised males) to help synchronise their ewes.
Which ewes should I use for AI?
Choose ewes which normally breed well early in the season and have a good record or fertility to use for artificial insemination. Ideally they should be weaned at least 6 weeks prior to AI. Maiden ewes should all have cycled naturally more than once before being synchronized for AI otherwise the conception rates will be highly variable.
What conception rates can I expect if I use AI in my sheep?
Conception rates not only depend on the quality of the semen used but on the careful management of ewes before and after artificial insemination. Generally, average conception rates of 60-70% can be achieved using frozen semen and conception rates of 75-95% on average can be obtained following AI using fresh semen.
How can teasers help my AI Programme?
Vasectomised teaser rams used at a ratio of 1:50 can decrease the period of time over which a group of ewes ovulate and this may improve conception rates where frozen semen is being used for AI. In larger flocks (more than 150 ewes), consider penning ewes so that all destined for one sire are together. Ewes within that group showing signs of oestrus should be inseminated first.
I operate a closed flock – how can artificial insemination help me?
Using artificial insemination in your sheep means that there is no need to buy or move rams, thereby maintaining your closed flock status. Instead semen is brought in from recognized sources and will have been collected and stored under particular conditions which includes a quarantine period. Sheep breeders have found AI to be particularly valuable for their breeding programmes during periods of animal movement restrictions.
How much does artificial insemination for sheep cost?
Current artificial insemination (AI) costs can be found in our price list. Innovis Terms and conditions apply.
More information
We also have a full range of information, technical factsheets and support available for sheep breeders who want to take advantage of our services and expertise:
- Laparoscopic insemination in Sheep
- Checklist for AI / ET – the ideal set up
- Getting your ewes into shape for AI
- Improving Lap AI and ET conception rates
- Why use a teaser or vasectomicsed ram in your flock?
- Ram preparation Guidelines
- Regulin – its use in AI programmes
Download the semen/embryo order form
Do you want further information about artificial insemination or to book your AI date?
Please contact your nearest Centre: Malvern on 0844 800 9050 or Edinburgh/Belfast on 01875 614500.
