Welcome to the DAKOTA GOAT ASSOCIATION (DGA).

More Information about the AI Clinic

 We encourage everyone to bring your own doe. If that is not possible our instructor will have a limited number of does at the class for you to practice on. These will be available on a first-to-register, first-served basis for an additional fee to help cover the prep of the doe. There is no guarantee that you will get hands-on experience if you don't bring your own goat.

For those of you bringing your own doe, there are a few things to consider:

1. We don't encourage inseminating virgin does. This can be hard on the goat and the person trying to learn the process.
2. Please bring goats that can be handled. Not everyone has a calm goat they wish to AI, but we need to keep safety in mind. We don't want any people or animals getting hurt. If your animal isn't used to human interaction, we recommend you start working with them every day immediately. This will get the doe used to being on a lead, on a stand (if you have one) and to stay relatively calm when people are around. If there is an issue with your animal we will have to remove that animal from the class. It's not worth the risk of hurting the animal or the handlers.
3. The DGA and the instructor are not liable for injury or damage to goats and equipment.
4. There is no guarantee of a successful breeding in this class. This is a learning experience. Your doe may or may not be at the optimum point for insemination when her turn arrives. There are too many variables and even on the best days it is not 100%. 
5. We ask that your animals be in good health and as clean as possible. There will be a lot of animals from all over the state and we need to take the best precautions that we can to protect bio-security.  It's not necessary to wash your animals but it will be a better experience for all if they are dry and not full of manure. A simple brushing is adequate.

What to expect on the big day:

1. The class is at a producer’s farm, so we will be stalling out of our trailers until your animals are ready for the procedure. Water is available, but bring your own bucket and hay.
2. Plan for a long day. The first hour or two will be classroom and discussion on how this works. The rest of the day will be hands-on insemination one-by-one with the instructor. There will be a lot of waiting and time to visit with your fellow participants.
3. Each registrant has the opportunity to inseminate one doe with the instructor’s supervision.
4. Please bring your AI kits if you have them. A head light is a good idea as well. 
5. Please bring your semen tanks if you’re using your semen or purchasing semen.
6. Plan for the weather. Although we will be under a roof, the fall climate can be unpredictable. Be sure to have proper clothing for the day.
7. Please bring your lunch. We're not planning to stop for a lunch break but there will be time to eat as you learn. We will provide some beverages.
8. Finally, please bring a lawn chair.

The price for the class is $70 for DGA members and $100 for non-DGA members. You need one registration for every person who is attending the class and wants the instructor’s attention to observe one AI breeding. Non-members, to get the member price, complete the attached membership form and include that payment with the attached AI class registration as well as the signed liability waiver. All registrations will be acknowledged by email as soon as they are received. Please watch your email for that message from LeAnn Harner at: goat@harnerfarm.net. If you have questions about the form or registration, call LeAnn at: 701-516-0707.

The DGA is NOT set up for electronic payments. Checks, cash or money orders are acceptable and should be made payable to the DGA. All membership payments are non-refundable. Class payments will ONLY be refunded if the DGA cancels the class for some unforeseen reason. If you have a conflict and cannot attend, no class fee will be refunded.

After registration we will distribute final details and directions for the class. These will include instructions for the CIDR protocol to ensure does are in standing heat and ready to be AI’d. Things you're going to need for this protocol will be:

1. Sheep CIDRs and applicator. (Can be found on most veterinary websites i.e. Jeffers, Valley Vet etc.
2. PG-600 (Please see your veterinarian to get this). No more than 2.5ml per goat.
3. Lutalyse (Please see your veterinarian for this). No more than 2.5ml per goat.

 Thanks very much for your interest. We look forward to working with you.