Artificial Insemination, or A.I. as it is called, is the process by which all species of animals can be bred. This procedure is widely used in beef and dairy cattle. It can be used with hogs; however, it is not quite as efficient as with cattle. One might wonder what would possess a person to revert to this type of breeding program. This is a key point for the improvement of genetics within the cattle industry. During my freshman year at Iowa State, I decided to become certified to breed cows. My grandmother was horrified, my mother just shook her head and my dad was thrilled.

Dad was so proud he could hardly wait to get started looking through those semen catalogs. Grandma nearly fainted when he pulled out the latest edition of Alta Genetics at Easter dinner.

She nearly fainted because this type of breeding is a bit unorthodox. Obviously there is no live bull involved in the actual breeding procedure; however, he has a big part earlier in the game when the semen is collected. After it is collected, it is frozen and shipped off to the buyer in straws that look like the ones you used to get in your milk carton in first grade. The actual process of breeding cows is a bit uncomfortable for the squeamish. So if you really want to know the method hit the library.

Artificial inseminating isn’t for everyone. Many would think “What is a girl doing this for”? Bordering on ultra-feminist views, many still see women as the weaker sex, unable to fend for themselves. Nevertheless after taking a look around the College of Agriculture one can see this is not true in the least.

The ag college is the last place many would assume women are seen as equals. This is mostly due to preconceived ideas by people outside of agriculture, who believe that the average farm kid is automatically an ultra-conservative hick with no sense of respect for women in their trade.

Contrary to these ideas, there are many opportunities for women in agriculture. Women are in all areas of the college, whether it is forestry, agronomy, animal science or agricultural engineering. The need for women in these areas is still great; however, in the field of animal science the women now outnumber the men. Women are important to the growth of agriculture.

My grandma was a farmer’s wife, my mother is a farmer’s wife, and both have a love for farm life. However, both of these women were raised in a time when it was not proper for women to be farmers or even to take part in chores.

With the changing of the times, women are now thought to be just as competent as men. So when I was little my dad encouraged me to get involved with the farm. He taught me things most little girls don’t learn how to do. Many farm girls out there can relate. You know how to drive a clutch, why animals do what they do in the spring and not only what a field cultivator is but what it does.

While most girls were wearing pink tutus and learning ballet, all of the little farm girls out there were wearing big ugly dark green boots and learning how get through the muck without getting their boots stuck. Most likely a difference of interests.

Women are vital to a very fast paced and changing agricultural industry. Society is beginning to see that women are a very important ingredient for a successful trade. Farming is not just for the old white man any more, it has become diversified by women and minorities as it should. Agriculture may have taken a little more time to get used to the idea, but it is catching up fast.

Danelle Zellmer is a sophomore in public service administration in agriculture from Atlantic.