Rwandan farmers often express frustration with the poor conception rates in their cattle associated with artificial insemination, but they may unknowingly contribute to the issue, according to experts.

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Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director-General in charge of animal resources research and technology transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), and Jean Baptiste Twagirayezu, a veterinary doctor based in Kigali, shed light on some of the most common factors that hinder cows’ conception.

1. Farmers’ lack of awareness

Twagirayezu said a major challenge is that some livestock farmers are unaware of their cows' fertility cycles. Sometimes, he noted, farmers realize too late that their cows need insemination, which reduces the chances of successful conception.

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He explained that once a cow is inseminated, the farmer must wait 21 days to confirm whether the cow is pregnant or to check for signs of fertility.

Farmers are advised to look out for signs of fertility, such as excessive mooing, reduced milk production, or specific behaviours such as a cow trying to mount others or kneeling when touched on the back.

He urges farmers to "call their nearest veterinarian immediately if these signs appear.”

2. Health issues in livestock

Another factor affecting conception rates is the cows’ health. "Malnutrition or excess fat can significantly reduce a cow’s chances of conception,” he noted.

Cows may develop uterine infections during birth due to improper handling by unskilled individuals, he noted, which further complicates future conception attempts. Sometimes, cows can retain the placenta after giving birth, which can negatively impact their future conception rates.

"Fortunately, these infections can be treated, and the cows can recover,” he added.

3. Poor semen mishandling

Twagirayezu warned that improper handling of semen by veterinarians, such as errors in mixing it with nitrogen, can damage its quality and reduce conception rates. Farmers are encouraged to seek knowledgeable veterinarians and inquire about semen quality, particularly for improving milk production.

Twagirayezu pointed out that some veterinarians mishandle semen, failing to properly mix it with nitrogen, which can damage the semen.

4. When vets delay

"Veterinarians can also delay reaching the cow in heat and that can affect the conception rates, which reduce the conception chances,” he said.

5. Shortage infrastructure

According to Uwituze, apart from poor record-keeping, inadequate herd management, irregular supply of materials, technicians’ shortages, and uterine infections, all of which reduce the success rate of artificial insemination, the shortage of nitrogen plants limits conception rates in Rwanda, as the two existing facilities cannot meet the demand.

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This shortfall means that not all inseminators have reliable access to liquid nitrogen, which is crucial for preserving semen quality. She noted that Rwanda plans to build a third nitrogen plant to address the issue.