Author: Lindie Huffman
Planning Unit: Pendleton County CES
Major Program: Beef
Plan of Work: Constructing and Maintaining a sustainable food system for youth, consumers & farmers. Including asp
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
The average yearly expense of owning a herd bull is $722 per annum. Producers with managed breeding windows utilize the bull's services for only 2 months of the year, while they maintain his health and nutrition for the duration. Bulls come with not only economic costs, but also opportunity costs. To maintain only one herd bull limits genetic opportunity and also increases the risk of injury. In 2017, a member of the local Cattlemen's Association expressed interest in attending a school for artificial insemination. Upon further investigation multiple producers shared the same interest.
In March of 2018, the Pendleton County Agriculture Agent arranged for a local young farmer who is an AI Technician, to partner with his parent company to offer a three day intensive hands on workshop in the art of artificial insemination for bovines. The class was limited to 10 patrons to ensure that each participant had ample opportunity to practice their technique.
At the end of the course producers were asked to complete a survey. 60% determined that it was more economical to bring in a professional, due to the technical skill required, all six scheduled the young farmer to breed their cattle in April and May. Utilizing AI has the potential to save the producer over $500 per annum, while also improving the genetic merit of their herd.
In addition to an improvement in production, four of the participants took leadership roles within the County Agricultural Council, County Agricultural Diversification, and became board members for the Cattlemen's Association.
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