Podcast: The 101 on artificial insemination

Livestock farmers, have you ever considered artificial insemination? Dr Masindi Mphaphathi from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Ndumiso Gule, a consultant for Gule agricultural consulting, and North West cattle farmer Ipeleng Kwadi-Seboni share some insights about this practice and how up-and-coming and communal farmers can benefit and save costs.

According to Mphaphathi, artificial insemination is when semen that was collected and reserved is placed in the female animal’s womb.

“Artificial insemination is the process whereby semen is collected by the males or collected by the females that were being reserved then deposited in the female womb of the animal. As males, you can either use fresh, direct or warm semen,” he explains.

There are a few ways to perform artificial insemination. “The difference between artificial and natural insemination is during artificial insemination you have to pass and penetrate the cervix and deposit the semen there,” Mphaphathi says. Whereas during the natural process, the sperm is left in the female cow’s vaginal wall and has to find its way to penetrate the cervix.

Lack of knowledge in rural areas

According to Gule, artificial insemination is often overlooked as a practice, primarily due to the lack of knowledge.

“Artificial insemination is hugely underused in the rural [areas], I would say if you look at KZN and the Eastern Cape. I would confidently say that only 3 to 4% use artificial insemination,” he says.

He further notes that South Africa is still breaking ground to get farmers to use it. There are, however, small companies doing great work.

In this episode, the experts discuss: