Cooperative Extension Service to host artificial insemination training course for cattle producers

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HOPE, Ark. — Artificial insemination is a powerful tool that cattle producers can use to improve efficiency and profitability in their herds.

CATTLE — Dr. Charles Looney, a leading expert in cattle genetics, leads workshops in artificial insemination. UADA photo

Charles Looney, extension professor of cattle improvement for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is recognized internationally for his expertise in cattle genetics and reproductive technologies. On June 13-14, Looney will offer a hands-on training course to teach cattle producers how to use the technology.

The workshop will be offered at the Southwest Research and Extension Center, located at 362 Hwy 174 North in Hope, Arkansas. Topics to be covered include:

• Basic reproductive anatomy and physiology

• Estrous synchronization

• Semen handling

• Pregnancy determination methods

• Reproductive health

• Training in artificial insemination on live cattle

Looney also will provide information on nutrition, herd health and record keeping, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, pregnancy determination methods and more.

The workshop will run 8 a.m.-5 p.m. the first day and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on the second day. Registration is $450 and includes lunch. The registration deadline is June 11, and participants can register at https://uada.formstack.com/forms/beef_cattle_ai_2024

Workshop sponsors include Premier Select Sires, CattleMax, Nashville Animal Hospital, Zinpro and Purina. For more information, contact Charles Looney at clooney@uada.edu or 870-777-9702.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.

Extension to offer two sessions on artificial insemination in cattle

By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

HOPE, Ark. — Charles Looney, professor of cattle improvement for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, and his staff will conduct a pair of two-day workshops in cattle artificial insemination. The workshops are scheduled for Oct. 12-13 and Nov. 9-10.

FALL WORKSHOPS — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host workshops in cattle artificial insemination on Oct. 12-13 and Nov. 9-10, 2023. (Division of Agriculture graphic.)

Each workshop will cover basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, estrous synchronization and semen handling, as well as pregnancy determination methods and reproductive health. Participants will also receive training in artificial insemination on live cattle.

“Participants will have three sessions over the two-day course to practice on live cattle to learn the procedure entirely,” Looney said. “This workshop is one of the best opportunities to learn more about beef cattle reproduction.”

The courses will both be held at the Southwest Research and Extension Center, located at 362 Hwy. 174 N., Hope, Arkansas. The registration fee for each workshop is $450, which includes lunch. Payments must be made prior to the workshops. Registration fees are non-refundable and will not be accepted on-site. Fees are all due by Oct. 9 for the October session and by Nov. 6 for the November session. 

To register, visit https://uada.formstack.com/forms/beef_cattle_ai.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Cooperative Extension Service to host artificial insemination training course for cattle producers

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

HOPE, Ark. — For producers interested in improving their cattle through artificial insemination, the Cooperative Extension Service is offering a two-day training course on June 8-9.

UTILIZING AI TECHNOLOGY — For producers interested in improving their cattle through artificial insemination, the Cooperative Extension Service is offering a two-day training course on June 8-9. The workshop will include presentations on nutrition, herd health and record keeping, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, pregnancy determination methods and more. (Division of Agriculture flyer.)

Charles Looney, extension professor of cattle improvement for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will lead the workshop. The training runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on June 8 and 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on June 9 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center, located at 362 Hwy 174 North in Hope, Arkansas. Registration is $450, which includes lunch on both days. Participants must register by June 5 at uada.formstack.com/beef_cattle_ai.

“The goal of the workshop is to introduce participants to the practice of thawing, loading and inseminating cows with frozen semen from genetically superior bulls,” Looney said. “We have live cows to practice with, and each participant will have the opportunity to learn the art of the procedure.”

The workshop will also include presentations on nutrition, herd health and record keeping, basic reproductive anatomy and physiology, pregnancy determination methods and more. Looney said the training provides important information about the benefits of AI technology for cattle producers.

“Artificial insemination is one of the most underutilized technologies in beef cattle,” Looney said. “Only about 10 percent of overall producers utilize this technology. Beef cattle producers who raise purebred cattle use this more than commercial breeders, mainly because of the labor and improved facilities that are necessary for AI technology to be successful.”

Looney said cattle producers can also benefit from adopting estrous synchronization technology, which involves manipulating females’ estrous cycle so they can be bred earlier, “thus producing higher weaning weight calves when they are older.” By then using AI technology to breed cattle with high genetic merit bulls, Looney said producers can “utilize the best bulls available at reasonable prices.”

Sponsors for the workshop include Premier Select Sires, CattleMax, Nashville Animal Hospital and Purina. For more information, contact Charles Looney at clooney@uada.edu or 870-777-9702.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.