Author: Benjamin Conner
Planning Unit: College of Agriculture
Major Program: Beef
Plan of Work: Youth and Adults Agriculture and Natural Resources Education, Adaptation, & Sustainability
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
Improving genetics in the cow herd is a goal that many farmers have in order to produce a better product. One way to do that is to utilize artificial insemination in your herd. Artificial insemination allows farmers to access genetics from bulls across the country and world because of the ability to freeze and ship semen collect form said bulls. In the past farmers have been limited on their genetics based on the bulls they were able to purchase and use on the farm. Artificial insemination needs to be taught so farmers can use it on their farms and with that in mind I put together an artificial insemination school from March 17 – 19. Partnering with Bluegrass Stockyards and Select Sires MidAmerica, the school was put on for three days and featured class time and time in the yards to practice what was learned. Topics discussed included the following: anatomy and physiology, artificial insemination technique, estrus synchronization, and breeding management. We had 16 participants attend the school with the majority of students from Scott County. According to surveys completed after the school 9 students “strongly agree” and 4 students “agree” to the statement of “I plan to implement A.I. or use it more on my farm now that I have completed this school.”