Animals in schools

The development and administration of an assisted breeding program requires the input of a veterinarian or suitably qualified and experienced technician. If the teacher or farm assistant wishes to demonstrate the collection of semen and/or artificial insemination to students, they must first seek approval from the SACEC to demonstrate these category five activities. This approval is conditional upon the operator being able to demonstrate appropriate qualifications and experience.

If the teacher wishes to allow students to watch a veterinarian or registered technician demonstrate the collection of semen and/or artificial insemination to students, they do not need to seek approval from the SACEC. The SACEC considers the veterinarian or registered technician is suitably qualified and experienced to demonstrate best practice.

A high success rate in artificial insemination is generally only achieved by an experienced and qualified operator.

Calving

Calving is best planned to occur in a sheltered and well-drained area where monitoring is possible.

Management practices to maximise the best calving outcome may include:

• Correct feeding (not over or underfeeding pregnant cows and heifers) to minimise stress and metabolic diseases
  
• Selecting heifers for mating only when they have reached the minimum target weight for the breed
• Avoiding mating heifers to bulls known to sire large birth weight calves
• Monitoring cows and heifers close to calving, where possible, and early intervention if required
• Selecting bulls rated for calving ease.