By Stephen Smoot
They traveled from across the Mountain State, the Free State, and the Old Dominion to learn a vital, and also marketable, skill in the agriculture world, the artificial insemination of cattle.
Teets Cattle Farm hosted the two-day event where attendees spent time learning in the classroom, then went to the livestock barn for hands-on instruction and experience.
The farthest came from six hours away to take the class, which is not offered in either Virginia or Maryland, according to participants. Instructors noted that this year’s class featured a much higher percentage of participants coming from out of state.
Patricia Halterman, Agriculture Workforce Fellowship and Student Training Coordinator, shared that “this is our first time out here. Last time, we had it at the fairgrounds in Petersburg.” Prior to that, the classes took place at the South Branch Stockyards in Moorefield.
For previous classes, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture donated cattle for student work. “Teets Cattle allows us to use the facility and provides the cattle to us as a service to the county,” said Halterman.
Classes open in the morning with lectures held in the conference room at the Teets’ Butcher Block store large dining room across the road. Hands on work starts each afternoon. Students, Halterman explained, included small producers looking to add to their knowledge and also instructors and ag workers seeking to expand their skill sets.
Brad Smith, West Virginia University Extension Agent for Grant County, explained that after classroom instruction “they get three to four hours doing hands-on training.” By the afternoon of day two they are “fine tuning their technique and getting evaluated.”
Dr. Darin Matlick, veterinarian and clinical associate professor with Potomac State College and also the WVU Extension Service, explained another critical reason why producers and others find the skill profitable to obtain.
He started by saying “it’s hard to find people to artificially inseminate.” The Future Farmers of America report that an insemination technician can make $41,000 per year or more. Other sources state that the job could pay $17 or more an hour and that independent contractors have been known to charge $100 a head for the service.
More importantly, the capability of inseminating one’s own cattle helps operations to have more control over their animals’ genetics. The South Branch Valley region in particular pays close attention to bovine genetics, since the area has jealously guarded lines that extend back centuries.
Matlick explained that purchase and insemination of superior genetics helps to increase the overall quality of the herd. Of the small producers who take the class, he stated “most are trying to improve their herd at home.”
According to the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, “West Virginia’s cattle herd has some of the best genes available” supporting the estimated $157 million dollar state cattle population.
Halterman noted that the class has grown popular, with a waiting list of six months to a year to get into the annual offering. Many looking into it are young people “who want to get a job working on farms and train to have that skillset.” One younger farm worker, Alana Rood, is employed by Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia.
“I think it’s adding to my skill set, giving me a diversified skill set, especially working with animals,” she stated.
Mackenzie Spencer also came to improve her skills, but for a different purpose. “I’m the animal systems manager at Virginia State University,” she shared, adding that “We are currently in the process of starting a cow and calf program.” Spencer related that she wishes “to learn how to artificially inseminate so I can use it on our farm.”
Spencer also noted that difference between Lost City and her home turf in southeastern Virginia. “Its been really nice seeing all the different land features. Where I live it’s straight flat!”
