Mom, where do calves come from?

MT PLEASANT — A room full of adults could be heard giggling as ninth grade FFA member Ethan Graber knowledgeably presented methodology for artificial insemination of a heifer using correct terminology.

Of course, Graber used words like semen, anus, and uterus abundantly in his year end FFA presentation to the school board.

Agriculture teacher and FFA adviser for Mt. Pleasant High School Matthew Jones revitalized the FFA program just two years ago after a 30 year hiatus.

In February the program was fortunate to receive grants from The Enhance Henry County Foundation and Henry County Cattlemen which went toward funding beef simulators.

The grants paired with funding from the Mt. Pleasant Community School Foundation provided the program an artificial insemination simulator, calf simulator, and 3D cow model.

Graber utilized the artificial insemination simulator for his presentation to the school board.

While FFA is new to Graber, cattle farming is not, in fact, it runs in his family.

Graber’s dad operates a commercial cow herd which was passed down to him by his father in anticipation of passing it down to Ethan Graber.

The family is currently trying to get more into breeding and creating a herd with a pedigree behind it.

Graber has already learned about money handling, growing a herd, and business management, but has not tried his hand at artificial insemination (AI) in real life just yet.

“I’ve seen it done, but have never done it myself,” Graber said. “I told mom and dad I didn’t trust myself and I wanted it done and done right.”

He owns his own small heard of three heifers and one bull thanks to loans from his parents which he is committed to paying back as he hopes to grow his own breed heifer business.

Learning about AI through FFA and Agriculture classes has made Graber feel more prepared.

“We’re coming up on a time where we are about to breed a couple of heifers and I think I’ll ask dad if he will give me a shot,” Graber said.

“Artificial Insemination is used to get your targeted genetics,” Graber said beginning his insemination demonstration.

Semen for AI can be obtained online, through a dealer, or farmers can even gather semen from their own bulls.

“It comes stored in a container of liquid nitrogen to ensure it’s freshness,” Graber said.

Graber continued to explain that when it is time to AI a heifer it is important to check that they are in heat so they are receptive to the semen fertilizing the egg.

Products and feeds are used to sync heifers into heat at the same time.

Graber uses an AI gun for insemination and suggests using a chute to contain the heifer if the animal is not very docile.

“You’ll want to get an OBS sleeve that will protect you or the animal from any sort of infection or disease that could be living on the surface of your skin or the inside of the animal,” Graber said. “You enter through the rectum and feel around for the uterus with your sleeve on.”

“You then need to insert your AI gun at a slight upward angle toward the cervix,” Graber said. “You will then slowly and very gently keep moving your AI gun toward the cervix.”

Graber takes the instruction of moving very gently and slowly seriously because he would like the livestock to be treated fairly.

Too often farmers can get a reputation for being rough with their livestock, but according to Graber, it is beneficial to farming investments and livestock to be gentle.

“Once you’ve passed through the cervix you will want to insert the straw of semen into the animal so that it will evenly disperse to both the uterus horns,” Graber said.

Overall, Graber is grateful for the AI simulator because it gives him the hands on experience he needs to succeed without harming an animal.

Graber appreciates having a better idea of what things will feel like inside an actual heifer.

Every bit of Graber is a future farmer, and if he could tell beef consumers anything about their next steak it would be how much love goes into raising the cow it comes from.

“Just know they’re not just an animal. They’re also companions,” Graber said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com