By Umar Nsubuga
Martin Busulwa, a zero-grazing farmer says he has taken his cow a bull more than twice but it does not conceive.
Muhammad Kiyemba, a veterinary doctor says this is one of the commonest problems that livestock farmers raise.
“Unfortunately, it is hard to spot the exact problem without examining the cow. However, I will mention the possibilities and give general advice,” he explains.
He says cows that fail to conceive after three or more proper services are referred to as repeat breeders. Normally, more than half the cows should be able to conceive on first service. If most of your cows do not conceive after the first service, then there is a problem.
“The failure of a cow to conceive can be a result of infections, nutritional deficiencies, under-feeding, over-feeding, use of an infertile bull and poor timing of insemination or mating,” he says.
In case of artificial insemination, he says repeat breeding can result from poor insemination techniques or damaged or expired semen.
“Some cows have cysts in their ovaries. Before they are treated, they may not conceive even if they are bred 10 times. It is also possible that they conceive but the embryos die afterwards,” he explains.
He urges farmers to get a veterinary doctor to check their cows for venereal diseases or any other infections that might prevent conception.
