Dr. Mennick has spent many years visiting numerous other bull collection centers around the world, including several in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and around the United States, making note of individual differences in semen processing protocols, facility design, bull housing, and animal handling techniques. Much of this information has been incorporated into the design of the new facility in Los Molinos.

In most cases, semen is collected by the most natural method possible; that being off of a quiet, halter-broke, and healthy 'teaser'. This not only provides the best possible sample, but the donor bulls naturally enjoy their work, and remain easy to get along with. In those situations where such collection is not possible, either due to the nature of the bull or a physical disability, we utilize the most modern, advanced, and humane design of probes available, a triple-segmented probe which allows precise control of the process and minimal stress to the bull. We currently have a bull in residence that has so far produced more than 5000 straws by way of this probe, and he walks right into the chute with less fuss and bother than when he first arrived, so our impression is that this device is not at all uncomfortable.

We focus on the production of quality straws by conducting a very thorough Breeding Soundness Examination on every donor, requiring a minimum number of motile sperm per dose at least 60% higher than the industry standard, and customizing the processing method and/or extender as necessary to best preserve semen from that individual. In addition, we insist on using the highest quality chemicals available in making the extenders, which are all made "from scratch".

Bulls can vary somewhat in the fertility of their frozen semen. There also are some breed differences in the number of sperm required per straw in order to achieve good pregnancy rates. For example, the most fertile dairy bulls can get away with as few as 2 million motile sperm per dose, whereas most beef bulls require at least the industry standard of 10 million. Some bulls will not obtain their maximum potential fertility until at least 16 million sperm are inseminated, hence our minimum standards at this level. Most of the straws we produce, in fact, will have over 20 million motile cells.

We have received many positive and supportive comments from clients because of this. Some have had exceptional results when using the straws in embryo transfer programs (where overall semen fertility is very critical, and any problems therein most likely to be noticed); others have taken their bulls elsewhere for collection, because they were quoted a slightly lower fee for the work, only to be back a couple of years later. We insist on maintaining the 'quality' approach. We know that clients may save 25 or even 50 cents per dose going elsewhere, but if the pregnancy rates are lower, and one needs to monitor heat cycles once again in even an occasional cow, rebreed her again, losing three weeks time and feed in the process, has one actually saved anything?

One should also keep in mind certain seasonal / breed differences in semen quality when thinking about having some straws 'put up'. Some of the European breeds, such as Polled Herefords, perform best in the winter and early spring when weather is cool, and semen quality will deteriorate as temperatures climb above 85 degrees. Brahman types, on the other hand, have better semen quality during the warmer months. Any bull with fat deposits in the scrotal neck, particularly likely in show bulls, will suffer "heat damage" more easily than thinner individuals. ALL bulls run the risk of severe (but temporary) damage to semen quality when temperatures climb over 105 degrees. Everything else being equal, best semen quality is obtained from bulls that are a little underweight.

One problem we see frequently, particularly with show bulls, is that of vesiculitis, an infection of the seminal vesicles, which manifests itself by putting neutrophils (pus) in the semen. This problem is closely associated with grain in the diet, through a complex process. It usually resolves over a couple of weeks if grain feeding is stopped, and the bull is bred or collected frequently to "flush out" the vesicular glands. Although antibiotics are commonly prescribed for this condition, we feel they are of little help, particularly if the diet is not changed.

We are occasionally asked if we will travel to the ranch to collect semen. It is true that this can be done successfully, adding the first portion of the extender and initiating the cooling process in a small RV refrigerator on the return trip, saving the bull owner a long haul. On the other hand, even with several bulls to collect at one location (making the trip for the processor worthwhile on the surface), the natural temptation is always there to go ahead and process samples that are marginal in quality, rather than discard them and have to repeat the collection at a later date. With bulls resident at our facility, a sample discarded in the interests of quality control wastes little time, and costs ourselves and the bull owner almost nothing. As a matter of practice, we almost ALWAYS plan on discarding the first collection or two, unless the bull has been breeding very recently.

It is easy to talk about "quality"; the bottom line is that the work will speak for itself.