With record growth and an expanding product and service offering, Wagner joins the team to help serve new and existing clients in Millborn’s Commercial Projects division.

“Wayne brings with him a diverse and deep background, over two decades of helping companies in the areas of retail, management and operations. His overall abilities, coupled with his positive energy and enthusiasm for improving Millborn’s Commercial Projects division will help our clients receive maximum benefit from our products and services,” said Clint Johnson, president and CEO of Millborn Seeds.

“Millborn has pulled together an outstanding team of hard-working and fun-loving people over the years. I am excited to be a part of the team and look forward to the opportunity,” Wagner said.

Wayne will work with General Contractors, Sub-Contractors, Municipalities (Engineers, Street Maintenance, Utilities), SD Department of Transportation, SD DENR, Army Corp of Engineers, Commercial Developers & Realtors, Consultants, Engineering Firms, Architectural Firms, and Native American Tribes.

Millborn Seeds

Millborn Seeds began in 1987 serving the Eastern South Dakota region. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this June, Millborn delivers intelligent grass seed solutions across nearly a 40-state area.

With professionals in Forage, Cover Crops, Conservation, Wildlife, Turf, Commercial and Vitality, Millborn’s claim to being The Grass Seed Specialists comes to life everyday when collaborating with farmers, ranchers, and landowners.

“Millborn works to identify unique land characteristics, species selection, seed mix ratios, timing and techniques. This comprehensive approach helps formulate premium grass seed solutions. Ultimately, that means powerful rewards like optimized growth, solid industry value and great returns on your overall seed investment,” Johnson said.

To learn more about Millborn Seeds visit www.millbornseeds.com.

The Midwest fared the best in the study that was done by Dermot Hayes of Iowa State University and Ziaodong Du of the University of Wisconsin. Nationally, consumers saved $1.09 per gallon. The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development released results of the study today.

Chad Blindauer, president of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, said most consumers have no idea how much more it would cost to fill up their vehicles if it weren’t for ethanol.

“Having access to American ethanol generates a significant savings for hard-working families in South Dakota and the rest of country, which typically goes unnoticed,” said Blindauer, a Mitchell farmer and rancher. “It’s important for consumers and policy makers at all levels to understand just how much of a positive impact the ethanol industry truly has on our country.”

The study shows that ethanol reduced the average American household’s spending on gasoline by more than $1,200 in 2011. The $1.09-per-gallon national impact is up from 89 cents per gallon in 2010, a change the researchers attribute to increased ethanol production and higher crude-oil prices as well as a bigger price difference between ethanol and gasoline.

The average price for a barrel of crude oil increased to $95 in 2011, up from $80 in 2010.

The study determined that drivers would have paid an average of about $4.60 per gallon last year without the inclusion of 13 billion gallons of ethanol.

“While it’s hard to imagine that gas prices could be even higher than they are now, this study clearly underscores that the current pain at the pump would be far worse without ethanol,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association.

While cattlemen realize some of the most rewarding times in the history of their industry, due to unprecedented price levels, they may need to guard against complacency as there are several factors that could threaten that status. What if interest rates increased by 2 percent or 3 percent? What if the U.S. dollar increased in value? What if feeder and fed cattle prices moderated? What if input costs continue to increase? The mini-conference will address these concerns.

Cattle Marketing: An Explorative Approach mini-conference will look at alternatives to standard marketing programs. Groups from across the Midwest will provide information on their programs including: Samson PVP, Nebraska; Creekstone Farms, Arkansas City, Kansas; South Dakota Certified Beef, Superior Livestock, Texas and Colorado; and Mitchell Livestock/National Auction Market Association. These programs enable cattlemen to explore slightly different approaches to marketing calves and fed cattle.

A local producer panel will also provide documentation of the value of partnering with these marketing agencies. Panelists will share their first-hand experiences working with these resources in marketing their cattle and the potential stability the programs brought to their operation.

Panalists will discuss programs which include; age and source verification, non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), natural, S.D. Certified, visually-branded or Vet Quality Assurance (VQA) and “Vac” programs. For participation, some function through veterinarians or auction markets while others work through process verified programs (PVPs) or other third-party verifier.

Attendance is limited to the first 100 registrants. A pre-registration fee of $25 is required for attendance and is due by May 22 to the Mitchell Regional Center, P.O. Box 610, Mitchell, SD, 57302 (605-995-7378). Checks should be made payable to SDSU Extension. The Regional Center is located at the Mitchell Technical Institute north campus, 821 North Capital Street, across from the High School.

Schedule of events:

Superior Livestock, Creekstone Farms, Mitchell Livestock/National Auction Market Association and Producer panel

• SDSU Ice Cream break
• Question and answer session
• 4:30 Closing comments

In addition to SDSU Extension, sponsors include Boehringer Ingelheim, Dakotaland Feeds, Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, Merck Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Salem Veterinary Clinic, and the South Dakota Center for Farm/Ranch Management.

For further information or details please contact: Jack Davis, SDSU Extension Economics Field Specialist, 605-995-7378 or Jack.Davis@sdstate.edu, Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist, 605-782-3290 or Heather.Gessner@sdstate.edu, Heather Larson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, 605-995-7378 or Heather.Larson@sdstate.edu or Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, 605-995-7378 or Jim.Krantz@sdstate.edu.

As a companion program, youth ages 8-18 are invited to attend a “You Be the Buyer” Learn about Steers and Steaks program that will be held at the same location and time.

Training sessions will include Cattle Evaluation for Carcass Traits, Cattle Auction, Beef Carcass Fabrication, Animal Handling, The Final Product and Economic Overview. A break for SDSU ice cream is included. A registration fee of $5, payable at the door, covers the noon lunch and all materials. For further information on this youth activity, please contact: Megan Nielson, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Livestock Field Specialist, 605-995-7378 or Megan.Nielson@sdstate.edu.

“More than 90 percent of all sorghum seed is grown in the Texas Panhandle. Seed supplies are down by approximately 60 percent due to severe drought conditions the area faced during the 2011 growing season,” said Fruechte, who works with livestock producers to improve their forage acres and increase their grazing season.

Advancements in Sorghum Hybrids

Demand for sorghum has increased in recent years due to many factors, Fruechte says.

“Many growers are starting to double crop. Warm season annuals work well to plant after oats, hay or barley,” said Fruechte.

Growers won’t be disappointed with yields, Jarrod Cook, a sales representative with Richardson Seeds, one of the largest suppliers of sorghum seed in the world.

“Today’s sorghum hybrids are not what they were even five years ago. They are more drought tolerant, more salt tolerant and more palatable than ever,” Cook said.

As one of the few seed companies in the world to specialize in sorghum hybrids, the Texas seed company has spent almost 60 years improving the hybrids of sorghum Sudangrass, forage sorghums, grain sorghum and pearl millet through genetic selection in their in-house lab.

Cook highlights the Brown Mid-Rib (BMR) trait forage sorghum. The BMR sorghum was bred to only contain a small amount of lignin. Because lignin is not digestible, the BMR sorghum is an extremely palatable forage option for livestock producers.

“When this trait was first discovered, the plants had problems with lodging – because lignin helps them stand upright. Through genetic selection we now have BMR hybrids that are just as stout and strong as non-BMR hybrids.”

Looking ahead to the 2012 growing season, Cook says growing conditions are already looking up.

“We’re already off to a better start. We’re seeing lower temperatures and have seen rain in some areas,” he says.

To learn more about grain sorghum, contact Justin Fruechte at 605-697-6306 or Justinf@millbornseeds.com.

“Anthrax is a disease of cattle and other ruminants that results in sudden death in affected animals. It is also a potential human pathogen,” said Daly, who also serves as the State Public Health Veterinarian.

Anthrax is caused by bacteria that can develop an environmentally resistant spore form in the soil. When the right conditions exist, these spores can become available for cows to graze. Once eaten by cattle, the spores become activated and produce toxins within the body that cause rapid death. Anthrax can be prevented by vaccinating cattle with the anthrax vaccine for cattle which is widely available, inexpensive, and very effective.

While the anthrax risk has been well-documented in many parts of South Dakota, and anthrax vaccination of cattle is routine in those areas, it is not always possible to predict where cases may occur. For this reason, Daly encourages South Dakota producers to use anthrax vaccine in their herds going to summer pastures.

Daly says that flooding is an environmental factor which may aid in making the anthrax spores available to cattle. Cattle going onto pastures that have previously experienced flooding or into areas where anthrax has been documented in the past, should especially be candidates for vaccine.

“Flooding disrupts the soil, washing up anthrax spores from lower soil levels. These spores then may be deposited on grass or other forage for the cows to eat after the pasture dries up, and warm temperatures occur,” he said.

He says 2011 floods may increase the risk of cattle coming in contact with anthrax this season.

“The flooding experienced by many South Dakota Rivers in 2011, creates the possibility that anthrax spores that have been hidden for many years may now be made more available to cattle now able to graze those previously flooded areas,” Daly said.

If Anthrax is Suspected Contact Your Local Veterinarian or the Animal Industry Board

During the summer, producers should take time to check all cattle frequently, says Oedekoven.

“Cattle producers need to promptly investigate any unexpected deaths on pasture, whether in cows, bulls or calves,” Oedekoven said. “With anthrax and many other diseases, treatments and preventive measures are available, and prompt action can help prevent excessive losses.”

If a producer suspects anthrax, Oedekoven says the case should be reported immediately to local veterinarians or to the State Veterinarian at 605-773-3321.

Suspect carcasses should not be moved or disturbed until a diagnosis has been made.

“Local veterinarians are excellent sources of information for cattle producers regarding anthrax,” Oedekoven said.

For more information on anthrax, contact the South Dakota Animal Industry Board, SDSU Veterinary Extension, and state livestock extension field specialists. View the Links section of iGrow Beef at http://igrow.org/livestock/beef/ to access the SDSU Veterinary Extension website and the South Dakota Animal Industry Board Anthrax pamphlet.

Junior – Justin Zwiefel from Burt, IA is the year end All-Around Champion and Tie-Down Champion as well as the reserve Steer Wrestling and reserve Team Roping Champion with partner Taylor Miller a junior from Hornick, IA.  This is Justin’s second qualification and Taylor’s first.

Junior- Trevor Hupp from Huron, SD came from behind to grab third place in Steer Wrestling as well as the reserve champion Tie Down roper.  This is Trevor’s second qualification.

Freshman – Nick Schwedhelm, a freshman from Ft. Calhoun, NE, captured the reserve Bareback Riding championship and also ended up in 3^rd place overall for the all around.

Senior- Bryan Boyle from Correctionville, Iowa qualified third place in Saddle Bronc Riding for back to back CNFR qualifiactions.

Sophomore- Ross Odde from Mound City, SD also qualified in the Saddle bronc riding.

Junior- Troy Donnelly from Elk Point, SD captured third place in team roping with his partner Will George from Iowa Central.  This is Troy’s third trip to the cnfr.

The SDSU Women’s team held on to second place in the region to qualify 4 team members to the CNFR.

Junior- Taryn Sippel from Pierpont, SD won the reserve championship in the breakaway roping.

Senior- Danielle Schubert from Brainerd, MN was the overall point’s leader for the women this year and will be competing in the barrel racing in Casper.

Junior – Meg McPadden from Garretson, SD will be competing in Goat Tying.

Freshman – Twyla Reid from Albion, IL will be competing in breakaway roping.

For more details on points regionally and nationally please visit www.collegerodeo.com .

This is the second straight regional championship for the men’s team and the first time in two years that both teams have qualified for the CNFR.  That brings the total SDSU qualifiers to 34 in the past 3 years.

I am very proud of our team again this year with both teams coming from behind and working hard all school year to achieve their goals.

Thank you and have a great day!

Coach Ron Skovly

Ron Skovly

SDSU Rodeo Team Coach

Cell 605-690-1359

Ag Hall 119

ronald.skovly@sdstate.edu

Perry explains that the ‘Equation of Reproduction’ includes the following four areas:

*           Percentage of animals detected in standing estrus and inseminated;

*           Inseminator efficiency;

*           Fertility level of the semen;

*           Fertility level of the herd.

The first article focused on detecting standing estrus, inseminator efficiency was the focus of the second article and fertility level of semen was the topic discussed in the third article of this four-part series on managing for reproductive success released by SDSU Extension. This is the fourth and last article in the series. It will discuss fertility level of the herd.

Fertility level of the herd

Fertility of the herd may be the most difficult factor to evaluate, Perry says.

“Accurate detection of estrus, inseminator efficiency and fertility of the semen (Parts l, ll, and lll) of this discussion are all vital to the success of any breeding program. However, even when these three elements are well managed, if the cow herd fertility level is compromised, pregnancy rates may not meet cattlemen’s expectations,” Perry said.

When Perry discusses herd fertility he is referring to a herd’s cycling/puberty status, compliance with protocols, embryonic mortality, body condition score (nutrition level) and disease control.

Cycling

Perry says non-cycling cows at breeding time may result from a number of factors including dystocia, calving late, inadequate nutrition levels (pre and post calving), cow age or excessive milk production in relationship to the feed resources available or severe weather conditions. In addition, heifers not developed properly and failing to reach 55 percent to 65 percent of their mature weight by breeding time may not cycle or conceive if they do.

Synchronization protocols that utilize a progestin can help cows/heifers that have not initiated normal estrous cycles if they are almost ready to begin having normal estrous cycles.

“These protocols are the result of time-consuming research and are a valuable tool when incorporated accurately into breeding programs in conjunction with good herd management,” Perry said. “However, regimented use of them is essential for satisfactory results.”

When implementing protocols, Perry says advanced planning is important.

“Timing of prebreeding vaccinations needs to be well in advance of insemination,” he said. “Cattle producers need to plan when injections or feeding need to occur; plan access to facilities and line-up additional labor. When insemination will occur must be planned well in advance of protocol use.”

Embryonic mortality

Fertilization rates are usually between 89 percent and 100 percent when semen is present at the time of ovulation. However, Perry says early embryonic mortality causes that percentage to drop to about 60 percent to 70 percent.

“Several management decisions can impact the percent of embryos lost to early embryonic mortality,” Perry said.

One factor he says is the timing of transporting cows and heifers after insemination.

“Research conducted at the USDA research center in Miles City, Mont., reported transporting cows/heifers from day 5 and 42 after insemination is a very sensitive time for the embryo and can be a major factor in embryo mortality,” he said.

Another factor is changes in nutritional status.

“This can also have a tremendous influence on embryonic survival,” Perry said.

He points to research conducted at Oklahoma State University showed that sever changes in intake of energy and protein can result in heifer stopping normal estrous cycles.

“Furthermore, work done at South Dakota State University showed that moving heifers, who developed all winter in a feedlot, to pasture immediately after AI can increase early embryonic losses,” Perry said.

Body condition score & disease

Body condition score (BCS) and disease are two additional causes of marginal fertility rates says Perry.

“Research recommendations suggest that cows be in a minimum BCS of 5 and heifers 6 at calving time in order for them to cycle and re-breed on an annual basis,” he said. “This allows sufficient body reserves for lactation and to initiate normal estrous cycles after calving.”

However, Perry notes, if adequate nutrition is not available after calving, body condition can be lost and may delay the return to normal estrous cycles.

Overall health of the herd can impact herd fertility says Perry.

“Cattle producers need to implement a proper pre-breeding vaccination program along with a well-managed, internal and external parasite application program. This will help limit disease occurrences in the herd and promote herd fertility,” Perry said.

He adds that special care should be taken with virgin heifers.

“Several studies have reported negative impacts on pregnancy success by vaccinating heifers that have never been vaccinated before with a modified live vaccine (MLV) for BVD or IBR around time of breeding,” he said. “Therefore, general recommendations for vaccination of replacement heifers include; before and at weaning, with both heifers and cows receiving a booster vaccine at least 30 days before breeding. If it is absolutely necessary to give a modified live vaccine less than 30 days prior to breeding, the vaccine should be administered as soon as possible and only to animals that were vaccinated both before and at weaning. Animals that have not previously been vaccinated (naïve animals) should not be vaccinated near the time of breeding.”

The “Equation of Reproduction,” which has been discussed in this four-part series, highlights management practices that are essential to any successful beef breeding program.

When we are “Managing for Reproductive Success,” it involves cattle producers making management decisions throughout the entire year – not just prior to the breeding season. By doing this, producers can expect to generate successful reproductive results.

“As we increase the reproductive efficiency within a herd, we can increase our management decisions on genetic improvement and other factors to increase the profitability of your herd,” Perry said.

For more information related to inseminator efficiency, contact Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist at jim.Krantz@sdstate.edu or 605-995-7381 or Dr. George Perry, SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Management Specialist at george.perry@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5456. To listen to a recent iGrow Radio Network interview on this topic with Dr. George Perry, and to review all four articles in this four-part series released by SDSU Extension visit iGrow.org.

Perry explains that the ‘Equation of Reproduction’ includes the following four areas:

*           Percentage of animals detected in standing estrus and inseminated;

*           Inseminator efficiency;

*           Fertility level of the semen;

*           Fertility level of the herd.

The first article focused on detecting standing estrus and inseminator efficiency was the focus of the second article in this four-part series on managing for reproductive success released by SDSU Extension. This is the third article in the series and will discuss fertility level of the semen.

Fertility level of the semen

The bull influences overall herd fertility more than any other single animal, and loss of fertility by a bull or straw of semen can cause substantial loss to a potential calf crop, Perry says.

“The bull supplies half of the genetics to all of the calves he sires, and bull selection can be the most powerful method of genetic improvement in the herd,” Perry said. “Clearly there are differences among bulls in their ability to achieve pregnancy success.”

Perry points to research conducted at the USDA-ARS research center in Miles City, Mont.

This research has shown tremendous variation in pregnancy rates between bulls when they were used either in a fixed-time AI breeding program or used following detecting cows in estrus. However, all of these bulls in this study looked normal when evaluated under a microscope for motility and morphology.

“For several decades seminal traits have been studied to try to predict reproductive success. Research is being conducted to identify characteristics of semen that influence fertility rates,” he said. “The ability of sperm to become capable of fertilizing, binding and penetrating an oocyte all influence a bull’s fertility.”

Perry says that research is underway to develop tests that will more accurately determine the fertility of individual bulls.

“Our ability to predict the fertility of individual bulls either by a semen sample or a DNA sample may eventually be possible,” he said. “Nevertheless, the only current method for determination of fertility differences between bulls requires the insemination of several thousand animals under the same management practices.”

Currently, Perry says the best method for cattle producers to acquire semen with good fertility is to buy it from a reputable source and make sure it has all been handled correctly.

Fertility level and natural service

With Natural service, physical characteristics, such as scrotal circumference, mating ability, and semen quality play a role in a bull’s fertility,” says Perry.

He says the best way to determine these factors is through a Breeding Soundness examination (BSE). The American Society for Theriogenology developed minimum guidelines for a bull to pass a BSE.

To successfully complete a breeding soundness evaluation, a bull must have at least 30 percent sperm motility, 70 percent normal sperm morphology, and a minimum scrotal circumference based on age. Bulls meeting the preceding minimum requirements are classified as satisfactory potential breeders. If a bull does not pass one of these tests, he is classified as a “classification deferred” animal (meaning it is recommended that the bull be tested again) or he is classified as an unsatisfactory potential breeder. Bulls should be tested approximately one month to six weeks prior to the breeding season.

“This allows for time to retest bulls if unsatisfactory results are obtained or time to find a replacement herd bull,” Perry said.

The overall purpose of the physical examination portion of a BSE is to determine a bull’s mating ability. Mating ability can be described as the physical capabilities needed to successfully breed a cow. A bull must be able to see, smell, eat, and move normally to successfully breed cows. The physical examination closely scrutinizes a bull’s eyes, teeth, feet, legs, and nutritional level (evaluated by body condition score). Any disease or injury that affects joints, muscles, nerves, bones, or tendons may cause a bull to be structurally unsound. In addition to structural unsoundness, diseases or injuries to the penis or prepuce can result in an inability to breed via natural service.

“These abnormalities will only be detected by careful examination or observing an attempted mating of a cow. A bull that has high quality semen but is unable to physically breed cows is unsatisfactory for natural service,” he said.

Sperm motility and morphology

Whether natural service or AI is used, Perry says two of the most important indicators of bull fertility currently available are sperm motility and morphology.

“With AI identifying females in estrus and proper placement of semen are critical factors for obtaining desirable pregnancy rates in the cowherd; however, compromised semen quality through semen handling will negate the attention to detail of the two factors discussed previously,” Perry said. “With natural service, structurally sound bulls with a large scrotal circumference and high semen quality should be selected as herd sires. It is important to remember that semen quality of an individual bull changes over time and, for a bull to be fertile, desire to find cows in estrus (see Managing For Reproductive Success: Detecting Estrus Part I) and mating ability should be evaluated periodically.

For more information related to inseminator efficiency, contact Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist at jim.Krantz@sdstate.edu or 605-995-7381 or Dr. George Perry, SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Management Specialist at george.perry@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5456. To listen to a recent iGrow Radio Network interview on this topic with Heather Larson, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist and to review all four articles in this four-part series released by SDSU Extension visit iGrow.org.

Perry explains that the ‘Equation of Reproduction’ includes the following four areas:

*           Percentage of animals detected in standing estrus and inseminated;

*           Inseminator efficiency;

*           Fertility level of the semen and;

*           Fertility level of the herd.

Standing estrus was the focus of the first article in this four-part series on managing for reproductive success released by SDSU Extension. This is the second article in the series and will discuss inseminator efficiency.

Inseminator Efficiency

Cows not detected in estrus have no opportunity to conceive. In artificial insemination systems, that opportunity to conceive when a cow is detected in estrus also depends on another limiting factor, “Inseminator Efficiency,” Perry says.

Based on research, Perry says that fertilization rates don’t differ between animals following natural service or artificial insemination (AI).

He points to a study which flushed embryos following insemination. The data showed that fertilization rates following natural service or artificial insemination (AI) in cattle range from 89 to 100 percent. Furthermore, when pregnancy rates from 13,942 first service artificial inseminations were compared to 6,310 first services by natural service, no difference was detected between artificial insemination and natural service.

“With AI, inseminator efficiency is influenced by semen handling and the ability of the technician to deposit semen in the correct location,” Perry said.

To improve semen handling, he encourages cattle producers to have a detailed inventory of semen easily accessible, so that straws may be located and removed from the tank quickly to avoid exposure of semen to ambient temperature.

“When removing a straw from a liquid nitrogen refrigerator, it is imperative that the technician keep the canister, cane and unused semen straws as low as possible in the neck of the tank,” Perry said.

He adds that it is best to keep all unused straws below the frost-line in the neck of the tank. The temperature of liquid nitrogen in a semen tank is -196 degrees Celsius (C) (-326 degrees Fahrenheit, (F)). Sperm injury (as judged by sperm motility) occurs at temperatures as warm as -79 C (-110 F), and injury to sperm cannot be corrected by returning semen to the liquid nitrogen.

Site of Deposition

Many studies have compared site of deposition on pregnancy success, says Perry.

“Some studies have reported increased conception rates when semen was deposited in the uterine horns rather than the uterine body, but other studies have reported no difference in fertility when comparing uterine body and uterine horn inseminations,” he said. “Furthermore, an inseminator and site of semen deposition interaction has been reported, with evidence of either an increase, decrease, or no effect of uterine horn deposition on conception rate for individual inseminators.”

Perry says it is not clear why some studies have shown an advantage following uterine horn insemination while others have not.

“A possible explanation for the positive effect of uterine horn inseminations may be related to the minimization or elimination of cervical semen deposition,” he said. “Studies have reported cervical insemination errors account for approximately 20 percent of attempted uterine body depositions, and cervical insemination resulted in at least a 10 percent decrease in fertility when compared with deposition of semen in the uterine body.”

Based on this information, Perry says in order to maximize conception rates, AI technicians must continue to manipulate the reproductive tract until the tip of the AI gun is past the cervix and deposition into the uterus can be accomplished.

“Clearly, all AI technicians must develop sufficient skill to recognize when the tip of the AI gun remains in the cervix,” he said.

Simultaneous Thawing

When numerous cows must be inseminated on a given day, multiple straws of semen are routinely thawed simultaneously to facilitate AI.

Research from the University of Idaho determined simultaneous thawing and sequence of insemination (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th), and elapsed time from initial thaw to completion of fourth AI had no effect on conception rate within inseminator group; however average conception rate differed between groups which were treated by a professional AI technician and those serviced by a herdsman-inseminator (45% vs. 27%, respectively).

The researched looked at the following:

a) The effect of simultaneous thawing of multiple 0.5-mL straws of semen and sequence of insemination (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th) on conception rates;

b) Whether conception rates achieved following AI by professional AI technicians (PAI) and herdsman-inseminators (HI) differed;

c) The effect of elapsed time from initiation of thawing straws of semen to seminal deposition on conception rates.

Perry says this research reinforces the important role handling plays in conception.

He adds that conception rates are most likely maximized when personnel:

a) Follow proper procedures for thawing semen;

b) Prevent direct straw-to-straw contact during thawing of multiple straws; simultaneously to avoid decreased post-thaw sperm viability as a result of straws sticking together;

c) Use appropriate hygienic procedures;

d) Maintain thermal protection of straws during AI gun assembly and transport to the cow;

e) Deposit semen in the uterus of the cow within approximately 15 minutes after thawing.

For more information related to inseminator efficiency, contact Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist at jim.Krantz@sdstate.edu or 605-995-7381 or Dr. George Perry, SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive Management Specialist at george.perry@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5456. To listen to a recent iGrow Radio Network interview on this topic with Jim Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist, and to review all four articles in this four-part series released by SDSU Extension visit iGrow.org.