The talk will be held virtually via Zoom and in-person at 107 Norman Smith Hall, UMaine, Orono.
- Virtual attendance: Zoom connection information will be added shortly
Speakers: Colt Knight and Glenda Pereira, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Artificial insemination (AI) allows farmers to improve livestock genetics, enhancing feed efficiency, growth, reproduction, and overall health. It also eliminates the need to keep a bull or boar on-site, reducing costs, safety risks, and the farm’s carbon footprint. Over the course of a year, artificial insemination workshops will be held across the state of Maine, combining classroom instruction with hands-on practice, and tailored separately for farmers and youth. The presentation will highlight the creation and partnerships established to conduct these workshops, as well as feedback from program participants and future plans.
Dr. Colt Knight grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia and earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Animal Science. Since 2017, he has worked as an associate professor for UMaine’s Cooperative Extension team where he serves as the State Livestock Specialist. Knight teaches Introduction to Animal Science (AVS 145) and runs the Maine Grazing Behavior Lab. The core focus of the Grazing Behavior Lab revolves around designing and manufacturing livestock tracking collars, engaging in applied grazing behavior research, and assisting other researchers with technology to interpret animal behavior.
As the dairy specialist at the University of Maine, as well as an assistant professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and School of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Glenda Pereira conducts applied research and develops educational programs for dairy farmers in the state. Current projects include working with farmers in Maine utilizing precision dairy technologies, learning about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and working on educational events with the University of New Hampshire and University of Vermont. She also teaches an introductory course on animal genetics and selection. She has a PhD. in animal science from the University of Minnesota.
