Cornell Resources about Reproduction in Small Ruminants

Reproduction
Introduction to out of season breeding and synchronizing heats in small ruminants
Using the EAZI-Breed CIDR-G for Out-of-Season Breeding in Ewes (PDF) by Dr. Keith Inskeep - This document provides the basis for using progesterone CIDRs (controlled internal drug releasing devices) to synchronize estrus or to start the reproductive cycles of ewes that may not be cycling during spring, when daylength is increasing.
Reproductive results from breeding our milking ewes in March-April and June have been dramatically better than those reported in this paper. That may be due to the exposure of the ewes to vasectomized rams about 10 days prior to the insertion of CIDRs.
Out Of Season Breeding in Goats by Dr. tatiana Stanton - while originally written for meat goats it contains lots of information on standard practices in dairy goats and sheep
Cornell Sheep Dairy Protocols for synchronization and out of season breeding in sheep
Artificial Insemination in Small Ruminants
Goat Artificial Insemination Video Course 11 video series funded in part by Univ. of Maine, Cornell University, Cornell Coop. Ext. of St. Lawrence County and Northeast SARE (Project One19-377)
Goat AI supplemental handout- Dr. James Weber DVM supplemental 17-page guide for the above course covering heat synchronization, mucus evaluation, buck collection, semen evaluation & processing, etc.
Artificial Insemination Manual for Goats by Dr. Terry Gipson, PhD and Dr. Lionel Dawson, DVM - 54 page manual originally prepared by the American Institute for Goat Research for workshops in Kenya and Malawi and now used in U.S. courses.
Goat Repro Videos - Dr. Terry Gipson & Dr. Lou Nuti: Hands-on AI 9 min, AI Kit 6 min, Buck Effect 6 min, Estrus Synchronization 5 min, Semen Tank Handling 6 min, Signs of Estrus 35 sec
Vaginal Method for Sheep AI using chilled ram semen by Dr. Jim Weber, DVM, PhD, Univ. of Maine - based on method used in Iceland - details from Thorstein Olafsson, Aug 2017)
Semen Processing in Goats by Dr. Lou Nuti, International Dairy Goat Center, Prairie View A & M - an older manual but still helpful as an introduction
How to make an artificial vaginal for bucks and rams
Basics of collecting a ram or buck
Upcoming Events
NY Beef Producers Association Region 4 Annual Meeting
April 4, 2026
Alfred, NY
Open to all interested beef and dairy producers!
Presentations:
- Tube Feeding 101
- Early Calf Care Tips
- Handling Livestock Safely
Membership in the beef producer association is not required to attend. New memberships and renewals will be accepted at the meeting; drawing will be held for 1 free membership or renewal.
MILKING IT: Moving Milk Quality Forward
April 14, 2026
Springville, NY
***SAVE THE DATE***
More details to come!
April 14th from 11am-1pm
Education sessions by:
- CCE SWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops
- Springville Veterinary Services, P.C.
- Quality Milk Production Services
New York Application for Dairy of Distinction
April 15, 2026
Purpose of Program
Attractive dairy farms give the consumer greater confidence in the wholesomeness of milk and stimulate milk sales which encourages public support of the dairy industry. The award gives recognition to the dairy farmer for maintaining a well-kept farmstead.
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