HSCHS students attend AI school

Last week, Spencer Axtell and Chandler Maddock learned more about the process of artificial insemination (AI) during a training session at the armory of the Fremont County Fairgrounds.

Spencer Axtell said he attended the training to help out on the family ranch. “We do our heifers in the springtime and dad usually does it by himself and he’s been wanting some help.” He added with a laugh, “Getting out of school was part of it.”

The training, which was Dec. 4-6, was not just about AI, Axtell said. They also learned about genetics and how certain conditions are passed on through different generations.

As for how the days went, Axtell said before lunch they would do classes about the given day’s topic, such as genetics or heat detection. After lunch, they would do hands on work and practice artificially inseminating some cattle. He estimated they did 10-12 cows per day, with different cows each day.

There were about 20 people attending the training, Axtell said, mostly college kids. He feels like he has the AI procedure down, and noted the concept is easy to get but the practice is a bit tougher.

On the family ranch, there is anywhere from 800-900 head of cattle, Axtell said, and this year they’ll probably only AI about 100 cows. To actually AI them, he said, it can take half a day to a day, but it can take different times depending on the plan you use. For instance, using a set time one can get them done in a day. If using heat detection, which is determining the exact time the cows are cycling, for 100 head it can take up to a week.

As for the effectiveness of AI, Axtell said it’s very effective. “Numbers-wise it doesn’t sound like it pans out, but it’s much cheaper than buying bulls and you get about 65-70 percent preg rate for just AI.” Turning the cows out with a cleanup bull, the rate goes to about 80-90 percent, depending on the year.

Axtell expressed his appreciation to UW Extension Educator Chance Marshall for putting the training together and sharing his knowledge.

Maddock was unavailable to comment on the experience.