The GENEX Blog

Artificial Insemination – Not As Easy As They Make It Look!

As a kid, I used to watch our “technician”, Orville, quickly and easily breed cows.  Actually, I admired him.  At a time when other little girls dreamed of growing up to be princesses, I wanted to be Orville!  I wasn’t  exactly sure what he did, but I observed him doing his job efficiently and effectively.  He came into our barn, discussed what was happening in our community, opened the breeder box, read my father’s notes and went to the tank to get the correct semen.  Dad would follow him to the milk house, still chatting about the things farm men talk about, as he prepared the thaw box and his equipment.  Then it was to the cows, where the real magic happened.  Again, I didn’t fully understand what he was doing, but now that I do – I’m even more amazed.  I’m amazed that people figured out how to mimic natural reproduction.  I’m amazed that we discovered a way to collect, package and freeze semen so it can be shipped across the globe. And I’m amazed by the swift and expert hands that are able to produce reliable results.  No, I never became Orville, but I did try an A.I. class once.  I discovered that it is a difficult job.  I could not find the cervix, which for those of you that know A.I. know, is pretty important.  I am not giving up though.  I am planning to take another class, this one much more involved and informative. 

Perhaps you dreamed of growing up to be like the “Orville” on your farm, or maybe you would just like to add another tool to your herd management toolbox. You are in luck, and so am I!  Genex offers just the class to help you become the A.I. Technician you always dreamed you could be.

For additional information you can head to our webpage! http://genex.crinet.com/page393/AITrainingClasses

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author Brenda Brady is our Communications Specialist.  Brenda graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in Agricultural Education.  She went on to teach high school agriculture for 13 years.  She recently joined the Cooperative Resources International team.  Brenda grew up on a small Registered Holstein farm in central Wisconsin and now farms with her husband and in-laws.