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
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Upcoming Events
Chainsaw Safety & Forestry BMP's
June 13, 2025
Belmont, NY
Perfect for beginners or experienced users needing a refresher. We'll cover safety features and basic maintenance of the modern saw and learn kickback prevention techniques. Participants will be able to try on various PPE and learn ergonomic practices. Interested participants will learn to safely start up, throttle up, and turn off a saw. You may bring our own saw if you choose, there will be no cutting in this class.
FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
June 14, 2025 : FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension for a morning of classroom learning, hands-on FAMACHA and 5 Point Check practice, and a pasture walk at Alfred State College's teaching farm to learn about putting IPM to work on pasture using evasive grazing techniques. An exam will be provided, and students passing the exam will receive program certification, including a FAMACHA Card.
Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
June 17, 2025 : Fecal Egg Count Mobile Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
This mobile workshop will teach you what you need to know to perform fecal egg counts and understand the results of fecal egg count reduction tests at home. While focused on testing sheep and goats, this event is applicable to all ruminants and camelids.