Ordering Semen

[ATM OH]

Where do most of you on SteerPlanet order semen from?  Does the online ordering typically work successfully? I have personally always used TopSires. Any opinions or suggestions before next breeding season?

 

[the angus111]

I am a Genex Rep. so when it comes to most seedstock,I go thru us.I have used SEK for most everything else,they do a great job .Top sires as well and good also.Never a bad experience as far as shipping in the US.Rusty

 

[wpenrod]

Last year I ordered all of my semen though Bovine Elite and I was very pleased with how it went. Shipping seemed pricey but I would guess it was competive with anyone else

 

[Jenny]

Cattle Visions
because I order in volume, I get free shipping and 15% off the order

 

[savaged]

I have always liked Genetic Horizons, and my orders are typically smaller  (20 - 30 straws).  I tried Cattle Visions last year.  I placed my order on-line and they called me the next day due to not actually having several of the bulls I had ordered.  The shipment arrived with several straws lying in the bottom of the tank, and no liquid nitrogen what so ever in the tank.  Not surprisingly, I had several failed A.I.'s from those straws, and had to throw the rest out.

Not a good first impression, and I will not use them again.

 

[nck21]

We use SEK/Genetic Horizons. They are the closest to where we live and do a good job. They had everything I needed last year except a straw of Bojo and 3 straws of Monopoly I got from Lautners. The Bojo stuck, not sure on the Monopoly.

 

[CJC]

I have always liked Genetic Horizons, and my orders are typically smaller  (20 - 30 straws).   I tried Cattle Visions last year.  I placed my order on-line and they called me the next day due to not actually having several of the bulls I had ordered.  The shipment arrived with several straws lying in the bottom of the tank, and no liquid nitrogen what so ever in the tank.  Not surprisingly, I had several failed A.I.'s from those straws, and had to throw the rest out.

Not a good first impression, and I will not use them again.

I don't think you can ship Liquid Nitrogen through the mail. Dry shipping only. Not positive on that.

 

[Bulldaddy]

I don't take chances on semen quality and always order from either ABS or Genex for direct delivery form my rep to my tank.  Both companies are big on quality control and I have confidence in their ability to get the semen in my tank without degradation.  ABS has many of the more popular club calf sires and I think they check it out pretty good before they ship.  Regarding semen shipment it can't be shipped in containers with liquid nitrogen--has to be vapor only which is good for a few days only.

 

[GoWyo]

We used Angus Semen Service last year and service was great.  Also had one of the bulls that we used on sale, so that was an added benefit.  Shipped it right to my AI guy.

 

[Rancher74]

We have used Top Sires now for the past 12 years. Have never had any complaints and they are very informative in the business with the top bulls that they own. When they own an interest in Heat Wave, Paddy O'Malley, Chopper, Gucci, etc. , that tells me they have some knowledge in this business.

 

[OH Breeder]

Rank according to ease of ordering and shipping, Top to Bottom

CattleVisions
Launter- His office girls were very helpful and were great with follow up phone calls.
Bovine Elite
Top Sires
Stepping Stone
Genetic Horizon's

The folks at Cattle Visions have always been great to deal with.
We have alot of trouble with the guy that drops off and picks up tanks. because our farm is out of his "way". He never shows up and says he was there and he couldn't find the tank. We have sat all day waiting on pick and check on line and it will say that he stopped but the tank was not out. It has created some real problems for us.

PS
I didnt' include ABS becasuse my ABS rep lives a mile or so from us. He gets stuff to us as soon as we need it usually. ABS semen has always been top shelf and we have never had any issues with it.

 

[rtmcc]

I use Cattle Visions for everything that I can not get from our local Genex rep that services our tank.  Lance and his crew at Cattle Visions have always been very helpful and knowledgeable.  Lance also gets to see a lot of calves and young sires and has been great at helping us with mating some of our cows to young bulls.

Ron
<cowboy> (clapping)

 

[Jill]

We use SEK/Genetic Horizons. They are the closest to where we live and do a good job. 

Same here for the same reason, they also do a volume discount.  TopSires generally has really good sales and we will order from them if they have what I am wanting on sale.  We also get semen from our Genex rep on an as needed basis.

 

[JDP]

Used Cattle Visions last year and Top Sires the previous two.  If you call Top Sires he almost always has a specail going on and more sires than in his catalog. Any way to cut cost is good in my book.  And Weidner is a good one to talk too.  I always order over the phone and pick it up at the ILL Beef Expo. 

 

[ATM OH]

Thanks for some great answers.  That is exactly the information I was looking for.

 

[DLD]

Something else you might consider is asking if there is a dealer in your area.  There are lots of people scattered around the country (usually breeders) that put together orders, and usually try to keep some of the popular stuff on hand for resale.  If there are very many breeders in your area, there's a very good chance that someone near you sells semen.

 

[Bone2011]

I don't take chances on semen quality and always order from either ABS or Genex for direct delivery form my rep to my tank.  Both companies are big on quality control and I have confidence in their ability to get the semen in my tank without degradation.  ABS has many of the more popular club calf sires and I think they check it out pretty good before they ship.  Regarding semen shipment it can't be shipped in containers with liquid nitrogen--has to be vapor only which is good for a few days only.

I agree both companies are very easy to work with and the semen quality is good. But I know genex is trying expand their club calf line up.