Natural Selection vs. Artificial Insemination

Cattle360 supports two breeding methods, each with different levels of detail.

Natural Selection

Natural selection (also called natural service) is when a bull, buck, or ram breeds the female naturally, typically in a pasture setting.

What you record:

• Breeding date — The date breeding began (or the date the bull was turned in with the cows).
• End date (optional) — When the bull was removed.
• Sire(s) — The bull(s) the cow was exposed to. Multiple sires can be listed if the cow was in a multi-bull pasture.
• Comments — Any notes about the breeding.

Natural selection records are simpler because the process itself is simpler. The system still tracks due dates, pregnancy status, and calving outcomes.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Artificial insemination involves significantly more data. In addition to the basic breeding fields, AI records can capture:

• Semen information — Straw number, batch number, company, sire code, registration number, and semen type (conventional, sexed male, sexed female).
• Technician information — Technician name, license number, and company.
• Heat detection — Date, signs observed, intensity score (1–5), and time of detection.
• Synchronization protocol — Whether a sync program was used (Ovsynch, CIDR, etc.), start date, and products used.
• AI procedure details — Technique (standard, deep uterine), location (left horn, right horn, body), passage ease, and notes.
• Semen handling — Thaw date, thaw time, thaw method, temperature, and time from thaw to AI.
• Costs — Semen cost, technician cost, and total cost.
• Pregnancy check results — Method (ultrasound, palpation, blood test), result, days pregnant, and notes.
• Follow-up AI — Second AI date and semen code if a repeat insemination was performed.
• Repeat breeder flag — Indicates if the animal has been bred multiple times without conception.

Choosing the Right Method