We are now 2 and a half weeks into AB.  This is artificial breeding (sometimes called artificial insemination)  For the first six weeks we mate the cows using AB because this way we are able to use bulls with a high genetic merit which means in theory that any replacement heifers we get from these matings will produce more milk and be of a better conformation ...and therefore more productive and profitable for us when they start to produce milk.

Yes I know, there we were a few days ago celebrating the last calf being born and here we are putting the cows back in calf!!!

Here Nick and the AB technician Graham are loading the insemination guns.  During the first three weeks we are hoping for between 4% and 4.5% to be in heat each day (between 25 and 30 cows a day)