Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) is beneficial in cattle production but remains underutilized. Impediments to adoption of AI include producers' lack of training for insemination technique. An AI certification course was initiated with the objective of partially alleviating the lack of training opportunities. The initial design of the course was a 3 d classroom and hands-on training. It was evaluated by UT Extension county agents (n=25) who indicated that the training could be accomplished in less time and that the class size should be limited to a ratio of 1 student per 3 practice cows. The initial course template was modified to a final 2 d design that included classroom and laboratory instruction with three practice sessions in non-pregnant heifers and cows (n = 36). Classes (n = 12) were limited to 12 students (n = 144) who were required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge transfer of classroom training via written exam and to exhibit proficiency for semen handling and AI technique before certification was awarded. Students completed course evaluations, rating their experience in each classroom and laboratory session and overall experience as Excellent (1), Good (2), Fair (3) or Poor (4). Course instructors' knowledge of the subject matter was rated on the same scale. Students were asked to rate their ability to properly thaw and load semen and pass the AI rod through the cervix on a Likert scale of 1 (confident) to 10 (not confident). Classroom and laboratory evaluation results are depicted in Table 014. Instructors' knowledge of the subject matter ranking averaged 1.03 ± 0.17. Student confidence in semen handling and AI technique averaged 1.95 ± 1.2 and 4.11 ± 2.2, respectively. These results indicate that the course was successful in training students to successfully inseminate cows and heifers and to understand the factors that influence fertility to AI.

Table 014.

Evaluation results for rating classroom and lab sections.

TopicExc.GoodFairPoorMean (SD)
Anatomy & Physiology12815201.13 (0.38)
Estrous Synchronization10632601.31 (0.55)
Insemination Technique12916001.11 (0.31)
Health & Nutrition8836631.43 (0.69)
Reproductive Tract Lab1249201.10 (0.34)
Semen Handling Lab13311001.08 (0.27)
Live Cow Labs (three per course)11815201.14 (0.39)
Overall Experience11616101.14 (0.36)
TopicExc.GoodFairPoorMean (SD)
Anatomy & Physiology12815201.13 (0.38)
Estrous Synchronization10632601.31 (0.55)
Insemination Technique12916001.11 (0.31)
Health & Nutrition8836631.43 (0.69)
Reproductive Tract Lab1249201.10 (0.34)
Semen Handling Lab13311001.08 (0.27)
Live Cow Labs (three per course)11815201.14 (0.39)
Overall Experience11616101.14 (0.36)
Table 014.

Evaluation results for rating classroom and lab sections.

TopicExc.GoodFairPoorMean (SD)
Anatomy & Physiology12815201.13 (0.38)
Estrous Synchronization10632601.31 (0.55)
Insemination Technique12916001.11 (0.31)
Health & Nutrition8836631.43 (0.69)
Reproductive Tract Lab1249201.10 (0.34)
Semen Handling Lab13311001.08 (0.27)
Live Cow Labs (three per course)11815201.14 (0.39)
Overall Experience11616101.14 (0.36)
TopicExc.GoodFairPoorMean (SD)
Anatomy & Physiology12815201.13 (0.38)
Estrous Synchronization10632601.31 (0.55)
Insemination Technique12916001.11 (0.31)
Health & Nutrition8836631.43 (0.69)
Reproductive Tract Lab1249201.10 (0.34)
Semen Handling Lab13311001.08 (0.27)
Live Cow Labs (three per course)11815201.14 (0.39)
Overall Experience11616101.14 (0.36)
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