BROOKINGS, S.D. — 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 & 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 & SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Management Specialist and Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian.
More about South Dakota 4-H
SDSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program is a partnership of federal (USDA), state (Land Grant University), and county resources through youth outreach activities of SDSU Extension. Youth learn and experience Leadership, Health and Wellness, Science and Ag-Vocacy through a network of professional staff and volunteers reaching more than 9,000 enrolled members with yearly programming efforts to an additional 35,000 youth participants.
To learn more, contact your local SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor. A complete listing can be found at www.iGrow.org under Field Staff icon.
— SDSU Extension
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