Manuals:Insemination

Artificial Insemination and Breeding

Training materials

Powerpoint for Artificial Insemination and Breeding

SmartCards for IB and Animal Identification

Message formats

Advice for identifying animals

  • Every animal must have a unique number or name within the herd - no herd may have animals with the same name or ID number.
    • This means that you may have to change the ID of certain animals coming into the herd - through purchase or inheritance - if their ID is the same as one already in the herd.
  • Keep a good record of the particular physical features which identify each animal in the herd. Keep their individual ID with this record.
  • Every animal should be tagged for easy and accurate visual identification.
  • There are many benefits to having your animals tagged.
  • Tags can be purchased blank or pre-numbered.
  • Numbers are preferable to use as ID. If possible,
    • Use an ear tag with the ID number on each animal.
    • Use the system the farmer is already using - minimum change.
    • Use one or two digits if not using any formal system (Farmer cooperative, Dinas ID system etc) .
    • Use a number that is already tattooed or branded on the animal.
  • If a farmer wishes to use a name as identifier, remember that names
    • cannot contain punctuation or spaces.
    • must be unique within the herd
    • can only be one word.
    • should be reliable - simple, short, easily remembered and easy to record correctly every time.
    • Should use common spelling.
    • should not be confusing, difficult to remember or difficult to spell correctly.

Farmer notification that an animal is on heat (in oestrus)

BH {Farmer ID} [Animal ID]
  • The message always starts with BH
  • The animal ID number or name (no spaces or punctuation).
  • This message is sent by a farmer and an alert is sent to their local inseminator who will telephone and visit.


Report insemination of an animal

IB [Farmer ID] [animal ID] [Bull ID] [Batch number]
  • The message always starts with IB.
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID
  • Bull ID
  • Batch number
  • This message has a repeatable sequence which allows more than one insemination to be reported in the one message.


Report an abortion

KGG [Owner ID] [Animal ID] [Trimester 1,2,3]
  • This message always starts with KGG.
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID
  • Trimester stage of dead foetus
    • 1 = First trimester (0 - 3 months)
    • 2 = Second trimester (4 - 6 months)
    • 3 = Third trimester (7 - 9 months)


Pregnancy test results

PKB [Owner ID] [animal ID] [Month]
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID
  • Age of foetus in months
    • Part months may be reported using a decimal place. Example: 10 weeks pregnant you would report as if it were 2 and a half months ie 2.5
  • This message has a repeatable sequence which allows more than one pregnancy test to be reported in the one message.


Report a birth

LH [Farmer ID] [Animal ID] [Sex] [Calf Identification] [birth_date] {Birth weight}
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID
  • Sex of calf - B (female) or J (male)
  • Calf ID
    • Use the same naming principles as you would use for any animal ID in iSIKHNAS. (see above)


Report calf weight

BB [Owner ID] [Animal ID] [Weight]
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID
  • Weight
  • This message has a repeatable sequence which allows more than one calf weight to be reported in the one message.

System Query

Individual owner herd listing

DHP {Farmer ID}
  • Message always starts with DHP.
  • Owner ID

Individual animal information

IH [Owner ID] [Animal ID]
  • Message always starts with IH.
  • Owner ID
  • Animal ID