Profitability of natural mating and fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cattle farming

Glauber dos Santos, Rodrigo Dorneles Tortorella and Daiane Aparecida Fausto

Revista IPecege, 2018, vol. 4, issue 1

Abstract: The future of beef cattle farming and consequently its profitability are linked to the optimization of land use, since in many states land is being occupied by agriculture. One alternative is the use of reproductive biotechnologies, such as fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), which allows the insemination of animals without estrus detection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost per pregnancy of natural mating (NM) and FTAI in multiparous females in a beef cattle herd. The animals were divided into two groups: NM (n = 150) and FTAI (n = 150). The cost per pregnancy included items such as bull lifespan, depreciation, capital return, and employee compensation, among others. The cost in NM was calculated based on a purchase value of R$ 9,000.00, a pregnancy rate of 75%, and a ratio of one bull to 30 cows. In the AI ​​(Artificial Insemination) method, the cost was based on a pregnancy rate of 87% and a service cost per animal of R$ 60.00. The cost per pregnancy was R$ 117.62 and R$ 217.66 for natural mating and AI, respectively. The advantages of using AI were a higher pregnancy rate at the beginning of the breeding season, earlier calving, formation of heavier calves at weaning, and a reduction in involuntary culling. Thus, despite a higher initial investment, AI had a good cost-benefit ratio and profitability.

Keywords: Livestock; Production/Industries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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