Make Artificial Insemination Work for You

The invention of the microscope allowed researchers to discover sperm cells and their role in reproduction—a boon to farmers and ranchers. Artificial insemination (AI) took off in Russia in the early 20th century with the development of extenders that allowed a single dose of semen to be used on multiple females. In 1949, an English biologist whose expertise was in cryopreservation unlocked the secrets of long-term preservation and storage of semen.

Fast-forward to today, and all of these developments have made it relatively easy for homesteaders to direct the breeding program on their farms.

How AI Works

For AI to be successful, you need a sample of semen from a donor male. The methods and challenges of collection vary from species to species, but once a sample is collected, the same rule applies: Handle the sample carefully. Semen is susceptible to temperature shock, and must