Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/25/01
Contacts:
Daryl Strohbehn, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-3020, stroh@iastate,edu
Mark Dikeman, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9172, mdikeman@iastate.edu
Wendy Miller, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, wmiller@iastate.edu
New AI Synchronization Computer Program Helps with Breeding Plans
AMES, Iowa - Beef cow/calf managers searching for an easier and fail-safe way to plan their synchronized breeding programs will soon learn the search is over.
Program specialists at the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension recently developed and released an exciting new solution to calendarizing synchronized AI programs.
"Our new synchronization planner gives producers a technology-based tool that helps them make key management decisions in a fairly simple manner," said Daryl Strohbehn, ISU Extension and Iowa Beef Center specialist. "By taking a few simple steps in their operations, producers can quickly simplify their planning processes and eliminate costly errors."
The calendar, showcased recently at an Iowa Beef Center co-sponsored ICN conference focusing on breeding management, is a computer program available in two different forms. The first is an Internet-based software program, and the second is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Producers can access either version at the Iowa Beef Center's web site at http://www.iowabeefcenter.org.
Simplicity is the key to the software. To use the calendar, producers only need to enter the date they want to start breeding and select the synchronization system they wish to use. The program also offers a cost analysis option using the number of females, estimated product costs (MGA, Prostaglandin, GnRH), semen costs, feed costs/lb, amount fed, yardage, AI technician charges and trip charges.
"The synchronization calendar has the potential to eliminate errors in timing injections, feeding MGA and other duties, plus it quickly points out what days of the week one will need to have the most labor available to carry out the synchronization program," Strohbehn said. "We designed it to be user-friendly so producers can easily implement it in their daily management activities."
"We created this software with the producer in mind," said Mark Dikeman, program specialist for Extension and the Iowa Beef Center. "We wanted to make it possible for them to compare different options while at the same time simplifying the planning process."
Once the information is correctly entered, producers can expect to receive:
* A calendar of activities. The breeding synchronization calendar generates a report stating what activities need to be done on which dates and a day of the week for each activity. It gives a detailed description of each activity and assumptions for the synchronization program selected.
* An estimate of costs incurred for selected synchronization program. The report lists synchronization costs, AI costs, feed and yardage costs, and a cost analysis with varying estrus response rates and pregnancy rates.
For more information, contact the Iowa Beef Center at (515) 294-BEEF.
ml: isufarm
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.