Inside a working barn at Kentucky State University’s Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm, sheep and goat producers are learning skills once more commonly left to veterinarians and reproductive specialists.
They study reproductive anatomy, learn to use artificial insemination equipment, and practice techniques with goats from Kentucky State’s herd. Just as importantly, they learn why each breeding decision matters long before an animal enters the chute.
For Dr. Sarah Carr, assistant professor of animal science, the goal is to place both the science and the skills directly into producers’ hands.
“You cannot have production without reproduction,” Dr. Carr said. “Successfully managing breeding is a critical part of any operation.”
That principle has shaped a growing Kentucky State outreach effort that helps sheep and goat producers evaluate breeding animals, improve herd and flock genetics, and make informed management decisions. The work ranges from hands-on clinics and farm demonstrations to webinars and digital resources producers can consult from anywhere in the Commonwealth.
Its most intensive component is the Small Ruminant Artificial Insemination Clinic, launched at Benson Farm in December 2025.
During the inaugural clinic, participants moved between classroom instruction and direct practice. They examined the anatomy and physiology behind reproduction, explored estrous synchronization protocols, learned proper semen-handling procedures, and worked with artificial insemination tools before putting those lessons into practice.
Source : kysu.edu