UW Extension Offers Artificial Insemination Schools Across Wyoming
Extension Education
Chance Marshall
Extension Educator
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Lander
Abstract
Artificial insemination (A.I.) has been available to cattle producers for decades. Still, less than 10 percent of all beef cattle females are bred via A.I. and just 7.6 percent of operations utilize the technique at all (Hall, 2019). However, by utilizing the technique of A.I., cattle producers can introduce proven sire genetics to realize superior genetic progress quickly and economically. Traits such as weening weight, feed efficiency, and age at puberty can be improved without actually owning or leasing sires. Cattle artificial insemination schools can be found in various locations across the United States. However, the cost of enrollment can be high while travel to these schools for Wyoming cattle producers can also be both expensive and time consuming. To fulfill this educational need, University of Wyoming Extension (UWE) educators and specialists have collaborated to provide 15 beef cattle A.I. schools in seven different locations across the state since 2017. These schools are three days long and include classroom training and hands-on application. Major topics covered are reproductive anatomy and physiology, nutrition, heifer development, semen/equipment handling, genetics, heat detection, and estrus synchronization. In addition to managing reproduction of their own cattle, participants can become certified A.I. technicians for hire and/or receive college credit. Visual teaching aids and harvested reproductive tracts are utilized during classroom demonstrations. Each afternoon, students can develop their skillset and palpate live cattle in custom-made portable chutes that hold up to 16 cows at one time. Each student must pass an insemination rod through the cervix of a cow unassisted in order to receive a “passing” grade. The cost of the schools is $100 and each student receives a training manual. Approximately 225 students have graduated from the schools during the last five years. Graduates of all ages have applied their knowledge gained from the schools to improve productivity and viability of their operations.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Chance Marshall
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Marshall, C. Extension Educator, University of Wyoming Extension, Wyoming, 82520