AI School
The Mississippi State University Extension Service and Animal and Dairy Sciences Department host two Cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) Schools each year. The AI Schools are held in March and October annually.
Fall 2021 Cattle Artificial Insemination School
Thursday through Saturday October 21-23, 2021
Note: This course is limited to the first 30 paid participants. The fall course is currenlty full. If you would like to be added to the waiting list please email your contact information to brandi.karisch@msstate.edu.
Schedule
Thursday
6:00 – 6:15 p.m. Introductions/ Opening Comments
6:15 – 6:45 p.m. Economics of Artificial Insemination
6:45 – 7:05 p.m. Reproductive Anatomy
7:05 – 8:00 p.m. Estrous Cycle, Estrus Synchronization, and Sexed Semen
8:00 – 8:30 p.m. Equipment for Artificial Insemination
8:30 – 8:45 p.m. Break
8:45 – 10:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (Groups will rotate among stations)
Estrus Synchronization Planning Software and Breeding Box
Artificial Insemination Equipment and Semen Handling Demonstration
Work with Bovine Reproductive Tracts
Friday
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Nutritional Programs for A.I. Success
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. Heat Detection and Heat Detection Aids
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Break
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Sire Selection
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Reproductive Herd Health and Biosecurity
11:15 – 11:30 a.m. Question and Answer Session
11:30 a.m. Lunch (provided)
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Break and Travel to Dairy and Beef Units (Groups will alternate locations)
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Corral Work (semen handling & A.I. technique practice) (Beef/Dairy Unit)
Saturday
8:00 – 11:30 a.m. Corral Work (semen handling & A.I. technique practice) (Beef/Dairy Unit)
11:30 a.m. – Noon Course Wrap-Up
Location
Mississippi Horse Park
Bearden Dairy Research Unit-Heifer Unit
Mississippi State University Beef Unit
Area hotels
Map to MSU ADS Building
Map to Bearden Dairy Research Unit-Heifer Unit
Map to MSU Beef Unit
Registration Information
The registration fee for the MSU Artificial Insemination School is $450 per person. School attendance is limited to the first 30 registrations.
Note: Registration fees are non-refundable if cancelled after September 15.
4-H Parental Release and Code of Conduct Agreement
Bull Semen Storage and Handling YouTube Video
Visit the Mississippi State University Extension Service Beef Cattle YouTube channel to view this cattle artificial insemination-related video. A variety of other brief educational videos are also posted on beef cattle production topics on the MSUBeefCattle YouTube channel.
Publications
News
Mississippi beef producers are invited to attend the 2021 North Mississippi Beef Expo on Oct. 21 and 22. Topics include beef genetics, mineral supplementation, cattle market updates, beef cattle herd health and research updates from the MSU Prairie Research Unit.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi’s beef cattle herd size and farm inventory have not changed much in the last three years, but changes are taking place elsewhere in the industry.
The most recent count from the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine lists 920,000 head of cattle on 15,980 farms as of 2020. In 2018, the state had a head count of 930,000 on about the same number of farms.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will accept applications for assistance from agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19.Sign-up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 -- CFAP 2 -- begins Sept. 21 and runs through Dec. 11, 2020. The program is open to producers of row crops, livestock, aquaculture, dairy and specialty crop commodities.
Grilled kabobs just shout summertime! The best part about kabobs is getting to choose your favorite vegetables to include. This traditional take on kabobs includes potatoes and zucchini. But you could easily add other veggies, including mushrooms or peppers.
You may be thinking, “Potatoes?! I’ll burn up my steak before the potatoes are done!” Never fear! You will microwave the potatoes before grilling to be sure they’re properly cooked!
Success Stories
Extension continues assisting one of Mississippi’s most successful beef producers
Beef cattle producer Jacob “Jake” Megehee identifies cattle producers’ needs and publicizes them at the highest levels. Elected officials and fellow cattlemen all over the country respect his personal success raising and selling beef cattle through Megehee Cattle Company.
Brahman cattle at South Farm, formally known as H.H. Leveck Animal Research Center at Mississippi State University, enjoyed a snowy morning when most of Mississippi saw snowflakes on January 11, 2021.
Vardaman producer named Farmer of the Year
When Joe Edmondson surveys his farming operation at Topashaw Farms, he thinks about his more than 40 full-time employees and the hundreds of seasonal workers who work the acres.
See what is new in Extension... Extension partners to promote beef quality assurance program, Extension recognized in Gulf Guardian Award Project, First Ag leadership class graduates, and Extension supports residents participating in U.S. Census 2020.
For the first 15 years of their marriage, Ted and Janet Parker lived off of one income. She made the living, and nearly every penny he made as a beef cattle farmer went right back into growing their farm.
