Dear Agri man,
In india many farmers depend on AI. They get semen from milk unions/veterinary hospitals. A.I is done by vets or LI(livestock Inspectors). People fear diseases from the bull to their cows when they go for natural breeding methods. Now a days the vet visit charges plus the charges of the AI straw used.Imported straw semen is available in most of the states except kerala.Which straw to be used will be of your choice. Now even sexed straws(your choice of choosing male or female) are available. Get in touch with your vet or LI to know more.
Kumar
In our farm, we are using a HF bull. Conception rate is more than 50%.
The reason for using bull was the AI wasnt working. In about 40 inseminations, only 5 were successful.
Reasons
1. Incorrect detection of heat (Our fault)
2. Questionable skills of the AI Worker.
3. Incorrect time of insemination (AI worker has to decide)
4. AI Worker not available when cow is in full heat (AI worker dependent)
5. Straw quality as the AI workers are local people, they need to keep nitrogen filled properly, that is again a question mark.
In AI everything is out of your control, semen quality, method of insemination, etc.
Natural service ensures that semen is working quality, correct placement, cow satisfaction and you can perform as many times as you feel comfortable. You can perform 3 times from when heat is noticed at 12 hr intervals. That flexibility is difficult in AI worker model.
I would suggest you keep a bull, as well as cryocan with your own stock of semen. Then you can undergo training on insemination or call a good Vet to do the insemination to ensure better results.
Good luck.
Nikhil