1.  Increase the rate of genetic gain. Using conventional methods, one ram could mate with 50 to 100 ewes per year. When fresh diluted semen is used with cervical insemination, a single ram could be used to inseminate in excess of 1000 ewes in a 2 to 3 week period.

2.  AI allows for easy transportation of genetic material. Semen is much cheaper to transport than entire animals and is not subject to the same risks of spreading disease. New genes could be imported from overseas and from countries which will not allow importation of live animals.

3.  Semen from valuable rams may be stored for use in future years – even after death or as an insurance policy in the event of death. Additionally, when monitoring for genetic progress, the same ram can be used over several years of selection and future generations compared back to the base ram.

4.  Increased efficiency of breeding. Timed inseminations allow all ewes to be mated even if they are not displaying behavioral estrus.

5.  Reduction or elimination in the need to maintain rams on the farm. Small breeders could eliminate the costs and inconvenience associated with keeping a team of breeding rams - provided they can obtain semen from outside sources.

6.  Prevention and control of disease by eliminating direct male to female contact.

7.  Use of an incapacitated ram that might have suffered injury or become infirm and unable to mate naturally. If the semen is of sufficient quality, he can be still be used for breeding.

8.  Accurate record keeping that can be helpful in increasing the accuracy of selection or to eliminate undesirable traits from a flock.

9.  Synchronized or out-of-season breeding for better utilization of resources during lambing periods or where it is not possible for producers with large flocks to keep a sufficient number of males for natural mating.

10.  Use of additional technology like superovulation for embryo transfer and pre-determining sex of offspring by separating X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa.