Artificial Insemination (AI)
Artificial insemination is the introduction of high quality semen of a bull by the use of pipettes into the reproductive tract of a receptive female cow. Worldwide, AI plays an important role in improving livestock. Through AI, the genetic make-up of an animal can be changed to improve milk or meat quality. In AI, large numbers of semen samples can be stored together efficiently, ensuring efficient supply of high quality product whenever needed.
Service Description
- Selection of breeding stock for government AI camps and the on-farm AI programme;
- Supply of semen, AI equipment and bull directory for bull semen selection;
- Training of private farmers’ inseminators for the on-farm AI programme;
- Bull fertility testing on farmer’s request;
- Constantly servicing the on-farm programme during breeding season and off breeding season by providing technical support.
-
How do I get the service?
Contact the District AI Officer in your district or AI office at headquarters.
How do I apply for the service?
Contact the District AI Officer in your district.
For government AI camps programme, each farmer is allowed to enter 5 cows of the same brand into the camp.
How much does it cost?
For government AI camps, it costs P50 for 5 cows to be inseminated with locally collected/tapped semen. However, prices vary with foreign tapped semen as it is a bit expensive. For private on-farm AI, equipment costs P6055.30. Training of inseminators is free. Bull fertility testing cost P175 per bull.
Table 1, 2 & 3 show the prices of AI requisites, prices of foreign semen and AI centres across Botswana.
Where can I get more information?
For more information contact Ms. Kapele and Mr. Ranko
Postal address Physical address
Department of Animal Production Ministry of Agriculture (Headquarters)
Private Bag 0032 1st Floor Room 150 / 148
Gaborone Plot 4701 Mmaraka road
Tel: 3689182 or 3689155 Gaborone
Table 1 Prices of AI requisites.
|
Item Description |
Prices in Pula |
|
Liquid nitrogen flask |
4100.00 |
|
Liquid nitrogen (1kg) |
7.70 |
|
Measuring ruler |
199.10 |
|
Local Semen |
5.00 (Irrespective of breed or bull) |
|
Insemination gun (mini) |
178.00 |
|
Insemination gun (medium) |
163.00 |
|
Universal gun |
201.00 |
|
Packet of sheaths |
33.00 |
|
Ear-tags (metal blank) |
181.50 |
|
Figure punctures |
25.90 |
|
Forceps stainless steel |
15.00 |
|
Scissors stainless steel |
16.50 |
|
Thermometer short |
49.50 |
|
Thermo flask |
77.00 |
|
Sheath holder |
52.00 |
|
AI kit box |
240.00 |
|
Disposable gloves |
103.00 |
|
Liquid nitrogen flask wood box |
330.10 |
|
Canister (medium) |
44.00 |
|
Pistollete holder |
39.00 |
Table 2 Prices of foreign semen in Botswana.
|
Breed |
Bull Name |
No. of straws available |
Prices in Pula |
|
Blonde De
Acquitaine |
Diruguti
Drop |
21
74 |
76.00
127.00 |
|
American Brahman |
MR V8 777/4 (Power stroke)
Copano Manso
Johann Pete Rose
KF Progeny’s Successs 40/0
Renco Manso
Dream Boy
JDH Mr. Amos Manso 568/6
JDH Mr. Echo Manso 237/1
JDH Mr. Manso 258/4
JDH Datapack Manso 563/5
JDH Madison De Manso 737/4
JC Sagre De Ultimate
BB Mr. Stingray 10/0 |
53
97
45
40
13
17
33
5
37
25
25
50
100 |
342.00
342.00
268.00
312.50
268.00
268.00
312.50
312.50
156.25
312.50
312.50
156.25
312.50 |
|
French Charoilais |
Jumper
Laurel
Icare
Iroy
Ibob
Magenta
Rethel
Pinay
Opylos
Draguigan |
53
54
37
50
46
50
34
34
46
3 |
404.00
303.00
141.00
222.00
222.00
182.00
202.00
283.00
222.00
127.00 |
|
Drankensbeger |
Maneer |
57 |
7.00 |
|
Gelbveih |
Alf
Hein |
50
338 |
8.00
3.00 |
|
German Simmental |
Baldrian
Hilba
Holiz |
15
10
23 |
13.00
40.00
40.00 |
|
Fr Limousin |
Eiffel |
74 |
76.00 |
NB: Price changes are determined by supplies and would be communicated to you.
Static Artificial Insemination Centre programme
This is a government operated AI programme, the objective of which is to make AI accessible to small-scale farmers in communal areas. There are 15 AI centres in Botswana (Table 3).
Table 3 Artificial Insemination centres across Botswana
|
AI centre |
Areas served |
|
Nokane |
Ngamiland |
|
Makalamabedi |
North West and most of Boteti |
|
Makoba |
Most of Boteti district |
|
Morupule |
Central district |
|
Makoro |
Palapye and part of Tswapong south |
|
Sefophe |
Bobirwa and Tswapong North |
|
Dibete |
Mahalapye and Kgatleng |
|
Ramoalosi |
Kweneng District |
|
Tsatsu |
Southern district |
|
Goodhope |
Borolong area |
|
Sekgwasentsho |
Ngwaketse west |
|
Kgainyane |
Kgalagadi North |
|
Phuduhudu |
Kgalagadi South and North |
|
Ncojane |
Gantsi South |
|
Chobokwane |
Gantsi North |
On- Farm AI Programme
The main objective of this programme is to encourage farmers with fenced ranches to do AI in their own ranches. The government support under this programme include:
§ Free Inseminator training;
§ Provision of AI equipment and requisites at subsidized rates;
§ Technical advice;
§ Bull Fertility Testing.