Fall Cattle Artificial Insemination School

This school will teach participants how to successfully artificially inseminate their cattle. This workshop is a mix of hands-on practice with reproductive tracts, live cows, thawing semen practice and classroom learning. We will cover the economics of using AI, anatomy, hormones, estrus synchronization, insemination technique, equipment needed, EPDs & sire selection, nutrition for reproduction, and use of sexed semen. Students will be able to practice passing AI guns on reproductive tracts as well as considerable time in live cows. 

Participants should bring clothes that they are okay with getting messy. Spots are limited to allow for ample hands-on practice. We may need to be flexible with the schedule due to the nature of the cattle market. 

This is a tentative schedule and is subject to change depending on cow availability. Breakfast and lunch will be provided October 14 and 15th. If you have any diet restrictions, please let us know so we can make accommodations. 

Tuesday, October 13 (1pm-5:30pm) @ Southwest Research, Extension, and Education Center (SWREEC)

1:00pm (15min) Introduction - Reagan

1:15pm (15min) Equation of Breeding – Reagan

1:30pm (45min) Economics of AI & Preg Check – Cecilia

2:15pm (1 hour) Anatomy/Phys/Endo – Elizabeth

3:15pm Break

3:30pm (15min) Equipment & Technique - Elizabeth

3:45pm (1 hour) Synchronization – Cecilia

4:45pm (30 min) Heat Detection & Records - Reagan

5:15pm Depart & help set up at JRS if available!! (Elizabeth, Reagan, Ian, Kent)

Wednesday, October 14 (8:30am-5:00pm) @ SWREEC/Joplin Regional Stockyards (JRS)

8:30am (1 hour) Nutrition - Reagan

9:30am (45 min) Sire Selection/EPDs - Ian

10:15am Break

10:30am (1hr) Tract DISSECTION & Semen Handling - Team

11:30am Lunch

12:30pm (45min) Reproductive Health - Elizabeth

1:15pm (15 min) Sexed Semen - Reagan

1:30pm (30min) Semen Thawing & Endocrinology Quiz – Team

2:00pm (30min) Tank Care & Maintenance (Reagan/Kent head out to cows)

2:30pm (30 min) Research Update on Reusing CIDRs - Gabriela Dasqueve

3:00 (45 min) Facilities Tour and discussion - Ian

3:45 pm Travel to JRS

4:15pm With the Cows - Team

Passing guns

Semen thawing and handling

6:00pm Depart

Thursday, October 15 (9am-Graduation) @ JRS

9:00am Semen thawing/Loading guns  - Elizabeth (others load cows)

10:00am With the Cows - Team

Passing guns (Reagan, Ian, Kent)

Semen thawing and handling (Elizabeth)

12:00pm Lunch and information wrap up

1:00pm With the cows until everyone graduates

Passing guns

GRADUATION CERTIFICATES DISTRIBUTED AFTER PASSING 3 GUNS