Alan Dyer
Originally from a farming background, Alan became interested
in the concept of cervical AI in the early eighties, out of frustration
at not being able to utilise superior performance sires, over
a wider base to dramatically increase genetic gain.
Initial field work showed cervical AI gave a nil result with
frozen semen, a variable result with fresh semen when the ewes
were synchronised and presenting the ewes was labour intensive.
At the same time intra-uterine A1 was developed and produced
good results with frozen semen and synchronised ewes. However,
its high cost meant it was an option for stud breeders only and
the progressive commercial farmer still had no reliable AI option
to fully exploit the genetic resource.
While other gave up on this technology Alan persevered, because
it did show some promise with fresh semen and the ewes in natural
oestrus (heat). To present a total package to the industry he
realised he would need to strike a balance between the key ingredients
of throughput (low labour requirements), conception rates, ram
to ewe ratios and price.
The following years involved experimentation with semen handling
techniques, temperature control and dose rates etc, as well as
developing all the semen, sheep handling apparatus and gear respectively.
The end result is his Natural Cervical AI programme which
can now be confidently presented to the industry.
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Alan Dyer
PO Box 909, Timaru
New Zealand
Phone 64 3 684-5584
Fax 64 3 684-5859
Mobile 64 25 274-3290
Australia
Mobile 0428 274 329
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