AFTER flying an artificial cow dubbed Breedn’ Betsy around the world, Brad Pickford has returned to Australia.
The Byaduk local was busy at the Sungold Field Days last week showing off his sought-after invention to willing dairy farmers.
Breed’n Betsy was first launched in 2004 specifically for embryo transfers, but today is a complete life-like training device for use in artificial insemination, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, semen collection and prolapse in cattle and more recently horses with Breed’n Bonnie.
“The invention is now in 24 countries,” Mr Pickford said.
“I am surprised at the reaction; I wouldn’t expect you could make something in a woolshed and take it around the world.”
The training simulator has been for the most part popular with veterinary schools and universities, with safety a key element of its popularity.
“The fact that people can now effectively learn how to perform those major cattle breeding tasks before going onto a live animal has been a crucial element of its success,” he said.
In the past, students would practice these techniques on live cows.
So with the introduction of Breed’n Betsy, he says farmers now have the opportunity to learn these tasks safely and effectively.
“It does have a lot to offer the dairy industry,” he said.
And after his arrival in the south-west, Mr Pickford said his efforts have now turned to fine-tuning the valuable breeding tool.
“I’ve introduced the ‘water rectum’, which is attached to the frame for a realistic feel,” he said.
He says the new accessory has further advanced his invention, with the feeling and internal pressures of both the bovine and equine rectal passage now as real as possible.
“I’m also working to improve sexed semen pregnancy rates,” he said.
Other new developments have seen the Breedn’ Betsy gain momentum in on-farm circles.
“We have just started putting more time into teaching farmers how to perform AI, ET or pregnancy testing,” he said.
He said the demand for courses had been extraordinary.
“Farming is a business now. People want to learn how to educate themselves in the area of reproduction and save money,” he said.
“All around the world, there is a shortage of reproduction technicians on the field, so the demand for Breed’n Betsy has really taken off.”
At the Sungold Field Days, Mr Pickford could be seen conducting regular pregnancy testing demonstrations, with a steady stream of visitors signing up for further training.
“Farmers really can see the value of this machine.”