Portable Cow Classroom Teaches AI

GUTHRIE CENTER, Iowa (DTN) -- Long before the advent of artificial intelligence, cattle producers were using a different kind of AI to boost their herds' performance: artificial insemination.

The practice has been used in cattle herds around the world for over a century and is still used by cattle producers to access genetics they don't own to make advancements in their herds.

Audubon, Iowa, cattle producer and semen sales representative Randy Dreher has been teaching people how to artificially inseminate cattle for several years. Yet, he would often run into a similar problem no matter the location: a lack of proper facilities.

"It's not always easy finding somewhere that 10 to 20 people can practice what is taught during classroom time," he said. "So, I decided to design and make a portable cow classroom to be able to do just that."

THE CLASSROOM DESIGN

The handmade trailer consists of a steel frame with a 10-head dairy stanchion for the cows' heads on one side. Behind the headgate is a pipe where each gate can swing on a hinge as a cow is loaded into the headgate. The gates are then held in place with a chain hooked into the ends of the gates. After all the cows are loaded into the headgate, the chain is moved up closer to the cow onto another hook for easier access to the cows, while protecting the students in case a cow would somehow get out of the headgate.

"It did take some time and trial and error to get everything just right," Dreher said. "I think the welding shop thought I was taking up residency when I was trying to figure it all out."

Taking the time to think through the details has made Dreher's trailer easy to use at several different places -- from a small college barn to a sale barn. The wheelbase is removeable during use, and the trailer is set on jacks to hold it stable. Dreher said he likes to be able to place it near set posts to attach it and hold it in place for stability. Having a place for 10 head is about the right size, while a class can host more students, giving participants the chance to ask questions or rest their arms in between practicing.

"I hope to use this in many more places. It seems to work well and provides an opportunity for students to practice AI-ing during school," he added.

AI SCHOOL IS HANDS-ON PRACTICE

Dreher teaches the AI school in several areas of Iowa. The classes usually run for two days with classroom time to learn the process, how to use the equipment properly and discussions about cattle handling. Each day ends with time for hands-on practice for students to be able to try out what they have watched.

Dreher has taught the class in Iowa but has also had students from out of state. Most students are learning to AI beef cows and heifers on their own farms, but a recent class had a student who plans to use the skill on an elk farm.

Like the developing technology that it shares its initials with, AI -- artificial insemination -- also continues to evolve. The use of this practice will continue to help producers make improvements within their herds, and Dreher plans to keep teaching more students this skill.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.