Charles Mawanda, a dairy farmer and resident in Katalemwa in Wakiso district culled his bull because it had become hostile.
At the moment he is using artificial insemination, however, the animals inseminated did not conceive yet he spends money on it.
“When I recall the technician, I have to pay again,” he says.
The semen used should must be alive. Photos Umar Nsubuga
Muhammad Kiyemba, a veterinary doctor advises and gives tips about artificial insemination.
The farmer, inseminator, and cow all determine the success of the act (insemination). If any of the three parties falters, it can fail.
But even if everything is right with the three parties, not all cows inseminated artificially conceive.
Mawanda should be able to detect heat promptly and inform the inseminator in time. The inseminator should be able to reach the farm at the right time, confirm if the cow is ready for fertilisation, and deposit semen in the right place. And the semen he is using must be alive.
No matter how good an inseminator is, he may not be successful if the cow is not fertile.
“I would not like to go to hasty conclusions without knowing the details. But I am reluctant to think that all your cows are infertile. Neither can I rule it out”.
In the meantime, talk to other farmers whose cattle have been inseminated by the same person. Get a veterinary doctor to examine the cows and the situation. His findings will guide you on what to do next. Should he find you are being exploited, then you can take it up with higher authorities.
But you should also know that unqualified people are operating as inseminators. A qualified inseminator should have a certificate and you have a right to ask for it before you engage him.
If you decide to change to a bull, you will have to scout among other farmers for a good one because there are no special markets for breeding bulls.
