March 19, 2024

AI Certification School hosted for local agriculture students

On March 26 and 27, Kacey Boyer and Alivia Bakley participated in an AI Certification School that was made possible by Genex. Five schools including Mormon Trail High School, Clarke Community School, Wayne High School, Lamoni High School and Central Decatur High School had two students each that attended the school hosted at the Lamoni Livestock Auction. The participants followed the AI Training Manual provided by Genex to gain knowledge about reproductive anatomy, estrous cycles, heat detection, semen collection and handling, care of the semen tank and how to inseminate.

At 5 p.m. March 26 students started with classroom learning presented by Mrs. Boyd and Mrs. Baker. The next morning at 8 a.m. they continued in the classroom with Ms. Sondag, Mrs. Baker and Mr. May; followed by the hands-on learning of how to use the AI equipment. Each student learned how to apply the skills from the AI Training Manual by working with AI Technicians, Ty Hunt and Jon Rockhold. Each student had the chance to practice insemination on multiple cows under the careful guidance of Ty Hunt and Jon Rockhold.

Throughout the schooling students enjoyed meals and snacks provided by Lamoni Pizza Hut, Cakes by Joy, Hardware Hank, Leon Casey’s and Main Street Brick House. These meals and snacks were provided free of charge to participants due to the generosity of Alysha Van Laar of American State Bank and Decatur County Cattlemen’s. Jason Allen and Jared Miller of Lamoni Livestock Auction donated the use of the facility and cattle, Sarah Thorsen of Genex provided learning materials, Ty Hunt and Jon Rockhold shared their knowledge of artificial insemination, Nate Pierschbacher provided materials and shared his knowledge at the clinic, Ananias Swartzentruber and Jordan True handled cattle, Lamoni Vet Clinic donated the use of their working facility, and Ty Hunt and Galen Oesch donated the use of their working chutes.