SDSU Extension hosted Youth AI Day Camp at SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility
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SDSU Extension
BROOKINGS — More than 30 4-H youth involved in the 4-H beef project area traveled to Brookings to participate in the SDSU Extension Youth AI Day Camp held March 17, 2018, at the SDSU Cow-Calf Education and Research Facility.
During the day camp, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialists Taylor Grussing and Robin Salverson guided youth through the process of artificial insemination (AI) in beef cattle.
“Understanding how the female and male beef reproductive tracts work is critical to a successful A.I. program,” said Audra Scheel, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program advisor – Sanborn, Aurora and Jerauld/Buffalo Counties.
Scheel along with Grussing and Salverson helped organize the event. “The youth asked great questions,” Scheel said. “Last year the day camp was held at the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Mitchell. It’s our goal is to move this day camp around the state so we can provide the opportunity to youth across South Dakota. We want to see youth excited to go home and assist with A.I. on their family cattle operations.”
Once they learned the basics, youth received hands-on practice in pulling, thawing and loading semen.
“This is a critical part of A.I., you can have the best technician in the world inside the cow, but if the semen isn’t handled correctly outside the cow, your conception rates with show it,” Salverson explained to youth during the demonstration.
Youth were also able to work with real, female beef cow reproductive tracts and learn how pregnancy tests and ultrasound equipment work. These breakout sessions allowed youth to see what they are working with inside a cow. According to post day camp surveys, the hands-on portion of the day received high marks by youth attendees.
“At camp, we provided youth with knowledge and hands-on techniques of A.I., but then followed that up with how to pregnancy check cows to see how successful A.I. was. This really brings the day full circle for the kids,” said Taylor Grussing.
In addition to A.I. information, Heidi Carroll, SDSU Extension livestock stewardship associate, led a session on how to handle vaccine and led a breakout session on proper protocols. Youth also engaged in a breeding soundness demonstration conducted by George Perry, professor and SDSU Extension beef reproductive management specialist and Russ Daly, professor, SDSU Extension veterinarian, state public health veterinarian.
