This is a tough question that does not have an easy answer. A number of questions that need to be addressed before making this decision.
1. How much time am I willing to commit to AI?
2. Are you trained to do AI or is there someone in the area that can perform AI?
3. Do you have the facilities to do AI on your operation?
4. Are you trained to detect estrus (heat) in you cows?
A typical first-service AI pregnancy rate is 50-60%, so unless the breeding program shifts to total AI, a bull will be needed to breed cows that don't conceive to AI.
Artificial insemination has several advantages to natural service. The main advantage is that genetically superior bulls can be used. Often, reproductive rate is higher when estrus is synchronized for AI compared to natural service. The main advantage of natural service is lower labor requirements.
