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Evaluation of Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination School’s Impact on Cattle Producers

Extension Education

Lee Faulk
Associate County Agent
LSU AgCenter
Homer

Abstract

The LSU AgCenter Louisiana Producer Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination School was started in 2015 in response to address a need amongst Louisiana’s cattle producers for educational content related to artificial insemination (A.I.) in beef cattle.  Beginning in 2015, this annual event has been held at the LSU AgCenter Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, Louisiana.  Over the course of three days, students learn the science and practices involved in implementing an A.I. program in their cattle herds through a mixture of classroom learning and laboratory experience utilizing live cattle.  Since inception, each school has been evaluated with the focus primarily on the mechanics of the school and students’ experience while enrolled.  In 2023, an evaluation was conducted to determine the success, long-term, of past students who enrolled in the A.I. School, and the impact of the school on their operations.  Past students were surveyed on topics such as demographics, types of cattle operations, implementation of A.I. and related skills, production information related to their cattle operation.  When asked who performs A.I. at their farm, 65.38% of students responded that they personally A.I. their herd.  Due to A.I. class participation, use of A.I. increased by 300%, estrous synchronization increased by 171.4%, and the use of embryo transfer increased by 150%.  School participation resulted in a 50% increase in the utilization of body condition scoring and pregnancy determination.  When asked if their farm profitability increased due to participation in the A.I. class, 42.31% answered yes and 50% were unsure.  Of those that indicated their profitability increased, 36.6% indicated an increase of $201 per head or more while 27.27% believed it increased by $51-100 per head.  Data from this evaluation highlights the effectiveness of the A.I. School in educating our producers.  Participation in the A.I. School has benefitted not only the students enrolled but also their cattle herds in the form of increased quality of genetics by utilizing A.I.  Moving forward, evaluation will continue to be utilized to gauge effectiveness of the A.I. School.

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: Lee Faulk, Randall Mallette, Cathy Williams, Jason Holmes, Joshua Salley, John Terrell, Ashley Edwards
  1. Faulk, L. Associate County Agent, LSU AgCenter , Louisiana, 71040
  2. Mallette, R. Mr., LSU AgCenter, Louisiana, 71457
  3. Williams, C. Dr., LSU College of Agriculture, Louisiana, 70803
  4. Holmes, J. Mr. , LSU AgCenter (retired), Louisiana, 71040
  5. Salley, J. Mr., LSU AgCenter, Louisiana, 71032
  6. Terrell, J. Mr., LSU AgCenter, Louisiana, 71105
  7. Edwards, A. Dr., LSU AgCenter, Louisiana, 71040