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Public Notices …<br />
Unapproved Minutes<br />
Kadoka City Council<br />
REGULAR MEETING<br />
JUNE 11, 2012<br />
7:00 P.M.<br />
Mayor Weller called the regular meeting<br />
of the Kadoka City Council to order at<br />
7:00 p.m. with the following members<br />
present: Micki Word, Brad Jorgensen,<br />
Ryan Willert, and Colby Shuck; Dick Stolley<br />
arrived at the meeting at 7:03 p.m.<br />
Member absent: Kieth Prang. Others<br />
present: Patty Ulmen, Finance Officer;<br />
Jackie Stilwell; Ronda Dennis; Forrest<br />
Davis; JoBeth Uhlir; Patrick Solon; Marlene<br />
Knutson; and Ruby Sanftner.<br />
Nathan Riggins arrived at 7:08 p.m. and<br />
Ken Wilmarth arrived at the meeting at<br />
7:09 p.m.<br />
Willert made Motion 12-06-11:66 to approve<br />
the minutes of the regular meeting<br />
of May 14, 2012. The motion was seconded<br />
by Word, with all members voting<br />
yes and the motion carried 4-0.<br />
The bills were presented for approval.<br />
After review by all council members,<br />
Shuck made Motion 12-06-11:67 to approve<br />
the bills as submitted. The motion<br />
was seconded by Jorgensen. A roll call<br />
vote was taken, with all members voting<br />
yes and the motion carried 5-0.<br />
BILLS TO APPROVE AT THE<br />
JUNE 11, 2012 MEETING<br />
Shawn Huss, Lifeguard Certification<br />
Training 595.00; AFLAC, Monthly Premium<br />
85.82; Delta Dental, Monthly Premium<br />
551.50; SD Retirement, Monthly<br />
Contribution 2,190.36; Verizon Wireless,<br />
Cell Phone 77.79; Antonsen, Emmy, Reimburse/Pool<br />
Supplies 47.40; Banyon<br />
Data Systems, Annual Maintenance<br />
Agreement 770.00; Dakota Supply<br />
Group, Supplies 434.76; Diesel Machinery,<br />
Inc., Vehicle Supplies 1,624.76;<br />
Electro Watachman, Inc., Repairs<br />
995.22; Ernie's Building Center, Supplies/Museum<br />
Roof 425.58; Golden<br />
West, Telephone/Cable 742.62; Hawkins<br />
Water Treatment, Pool Supplies<br />
1,978.80; Heartland Paper, Supplies<br />
246.89; Hills Materials Co., Locust Street<br />
Project 59,566.00; Hogen's Hardware,<br />
Supplies/Repairs 584.68; In the Swim,<br />
Pool Supplies 244.13; Jackson Co. Conservation,<br />
Trees/Park 51.00; John Deere<br />
Credit, Monthly Payment/Front End<br />
Loader 2,023.03; JS Construction, Repairs/Museum<br />
Roof 510.21; Kadoka Oil,<br />
L.L.C., Propane/Swimming Pool 420.90;<br />
Kadoka Press Publishing 469.45;<br />
Kadoka Volunteer Fire Dept., Reimburse<br />
/Expenses 3,324.03; Kennedy Implement,<br />
Lawnmower 9,250.00; Midstate<br />
Reclamation SD, Inc., Mill/Locust Street<br />
4,541.50; Midwest Cooperatives, Vehicle<br />
Fuel 837.48; Music Parents,<br />
Calendars/Listings 20.82; Nitro Alley,<br />
Inc., Sandblast Pool 1,558.00; Northwest<br />
Pipe, Supplies 332.35; Oien Implement,<br />
Supplies 44.17; Pahlke, Alvin, Legal<br />
Services 150.00; Peoples Market, Supplies<br />
423.33; Pierre Landfill, Tipping<br />
Fees 524.40; Pocketful of Posies, Centerpiece/SDML<br />
District Meeting 23.32;<br />
Pool & Spa Center, Pool Supplies<br />
138.59; Power House, Supplies 69.58;<br />
Ramada Hotel, Travel Expense/Mayor<br />
72.95; SD DENR, Annual Drinking Water<br />
Fee 300.00; SD Dept. of Health, Lab<br />
Samples 13.00; SD Dept. of Public<br />
Safety, Annual Scale Inspection 48.00;<br />
Town of Belvidere<br />
Regular Meeting<br />
June 4, 2012<br />
Wayne Hindman made a motion to call<br />
the meeting to order. Rudy Reimann seconded<br />
the motion. The following people<br />
were present: Rudy Reimann, Wayne<br />
Hindman, John Rodgers and Jo<br />
Rodgers.<br />
OLD BUSINESS:<br />
Minutes from the May 8, 2012 meeting<br />
were read. With there being no objections,<br />
Rudy Reimann made a motion to<br />
accept the minutes. Wayne Hindman<br />
seconded the motion.<br />
NEW BUSINESS:<br />
Only one business turned in their Malt<br />
Beverage License Application for renewal.<br />
Rudy Reimann made a motion<br />
and was seconded by Wayne Hindman<br />
to approve the renewal for Dakota Trail<br />
Gas Mart. The fees and paperwork will<br />
be sent to the Department of Revenue<br />
for the states approval.<br />
A motion was made by Rudy Reimann<br />
and seconded by Wayne Hindman to<br />
keep our membership to Central South<br />
Dakota Enhancement District. The membership<br />
fees will be approved and paid at<br />
the July meeting.<br />
Results were received from Safety Benefits<br />
Inc. on the loss control survey done<br />
on April 11, 2012. The improvement recommendations<br />
were noted and will be<br />
corrected as time allows.<br />
BILLS APPROVED AND PAID:<br />
Ernie’s Building Center,<br />
culverts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .442.00<br />
Golden West, phone<br />
& internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102.90<br />
Huber Contracting,<br />
hauling gravel . . . . . . . . .1,781.10<br />
Jo Manke-Rodgers, wages . . . .56.61<br />
Kadoka Press,<br />
publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.79<br />
SD Department of<br />
Revenue, fees . . . . . . . . . .150.00<br />
West Central, electricity . . . . . .591.72<br />
WR/LJ, water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40.00<br />
With there being no further business,<br />
Rudy Reimann made a motion to adjourn.<br />
Wayne Hindman seconded the<br />
motion. The next council meeting will be<br />
July 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the city office.<br />
ATTEST<br />
Jo Manke-Rodgers<br />
Finance Officer<br />
John L. Rodgers<br />
Council President<br />
[Published June 21, 2012, at the total approximate<br />
cost of $23.73]<br />
SD Dept. of Revenue, Malt Beverage License<br />
Fee 812.50; Servall, Laundry<br />
307.05; T & K Rentals, Tent/Reunion<br />
Weekend 2,550.00; United States Postal<br />
Service, Postage 57.00; West Central<br />
Electric, Electricity 4,125.78; West River<br />
Excavation, Solid Waste Transportation<br />
586.90; West River Lyman Jones, Water<br />
Payment 5,428.75; Chamberlain Wholesale,<br />
Liquor Supplies 1,914.83; Coca<br />
Cola, Liquor Supplies 123.00; Dakota<br />
Toms, Liquor Supplies 96.06; Eagle<br />
Sales, Liquor Supplies 13,282.40;<br />
Jerome Beverage, Liquor Supplies<br />
2,463.60; Johnson Western Wholesale,<br />
Liquor Supplies 2,189.94; Republic,<br />
Liquor Supplies 2,260.22; West Central<br />
Electric, Light Pole Repairs 4,731.60;<br />
ACH Withdrawal for Taxes Federal Employment<br />
Taxes 3,911.28; ACH Withdrawal<br />
for Dakota Care, Health<br />
Insurance Premium 5,972.62; Total Bills<br />
Presented 6-11-12: 147,120.95<br />
The financial statement, along with a report<br />
listing the breakdown of revenue, expenses,<br />
and bank balances for the<br />
month of May was distributed. After a review<br />
of the information, Willert made Motion<br />
12-06-11:68 to approve the financial<br />
report. The motion was seconded by<br />
Word. A roll call vote was taken, with all<br />
members voting yes and the motion carried<br />
5-0.<br />
City of Kadoka Financial Statement<br />
as of 5-31-12:<br />
Revenue: General Fund - $158,152.86;<br />
3 B’s Fund - $1,585.67; Street Fund -<br />
$8.72; Liquor Fund - $31,974.13; Water<br />
Fund - $8,080.24; Sewer Fund -<br />
$2,170.40; Solid Waste Fund -<br />
$3,747.17.<br />
Expense: General Fund - $112,132.48;<br />
3B’s Fund - $1,291.19; Liquor Fund -<br />
$31,150.51; Water Fund - $11,246.05;<br />
Sewer Fund - $3,825.77; Solid Waste<br />
Fund - $2,530.45.<br />
Payroll: Administration - $3,013.48;<br />
Streets - $2,747.08; Police - $2,576.94;<br />
Auditorium/Parks - $2,572.80; Summer<br />
Recreation - $562.76; Liquor - $4,814.58;<br />
Water/Sewer – $2,996.22; Solid Waste -<br />
$664.14; Group Health/Dental -<br />
$6,524.12; Retirement - $2,190.36; Social<br />
Security/Medicare - $3,911.28.<br />
Bank Balances: Checking Account -<br />
$805,459.76; ATM Account - $3,385.32;<br />
Certificates of Deposit - $774,745.49.<br />
Public Hearing/Kadoka Nursing Home<br />
Project: Marlene Knutson from the Central<br />
SD Enhancement District and Ruby<br />
Sanftner were present and updated the<br />
council and members of the public as to<br />
the progress of the Nursing Home project.<br />
The project is approximately 80%<br />
completed; the bathroom is completed;<br />
the concrete work and sprinkler installation<br />
are nearly completed. A covering still<br />
needs to be installed over the pipes for<br />
the sprinkler system. There were no<br />
questions from the public and with nothing<br />
further to discuss, the public hearing<br />
was closed.<br />
Citizen Input: No one was present to address<br />
the council.<br />
NEW BUSINESS:<br />
A. Malt Beverage License Renewals:<br />
Shuck made Motion 12-06-11:69 to ap-<br />
Kadoka Planning &<br />
Zoning Commission<br />
Public Hearing Minutes<br />
5/30/2012 7 P.M. MST,<br />
Kadoka Annex<br />
The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.<br />
A motion was made to add discussion<br />
about time/place of the commission’s<br />
next meeting by Cindy VanderMay, seconded<br />
by Kelly O’Connel, and passed<br />
unanimously by the Commission.<br />
A motion to approve the minutes from the<br />
previous meeting on April 11, 2012 was<br />
made by Mike Groven, seconded by<br />
Kelly, and passed unanimously by the<br />
commission.<br />
Justin Otsea, Planner, Central South<br />
Dakota Enhancement District, gave a<br />
brief presentation on the ‘Benefits of<br />
Comprehensive Planning.’<br />
The commission then heard comments<br />
from the public regarding the draft of the<br />
comprehensive plan. A question was<br />
raised to the legality of the process of developing<br />
the plan. Ken Wilmarth addressed<br />
this stating that the commission<br />
has acted completely legally, as they are<br />
a only a recommending board.<br />
A revision regarding the description of the<br />
location of the airport was recommended<br />
by the public, and changed immediately.<br />
Further discussion was held, but no recommendations<br />
regarding the plan were<br />
made. Concerns were primarily focused<br />
on dilapidated properties, and junk cars<br />
throughout the city.<br />
After hearing all of the public’s comments,<br />
a motion was made by Kelly to<br />
recommend the City Council hold their<br />
respective public hearing; Mike seconded<br />
the motion. The Commission<br />
passed the motion unanimously.<br />
Discussion was held regarding the Commission’s<br />
next meeting. A motion was<br />
made by Cindy to hold the next meeting<br />
on June 13th, at 7 p.m., at a location yet<br />
to be determined, Kelly seconded the<br />
motion. The Commission passed the motion<br />
unanimously.<br />
A motion was made by Mike to adjourn;<br />
Kelly seconded the motion. The commission<br />
passed the motion unanimously, and<br />
the meeting was adjourned.<br />
Submitted by Justin Ostea<br />
[Published June 21, 2012, at the total approximate<br />
cost of $19.83]<br />
prove the following malt beverage license<br />
applications: KC Enterprises (H &<br />
H El Centro Restaurant); Jigger’s<br />
Restaurant; Discount Fuel, Inc.; Kadoka<br />
Gas & Go, Inc.; Club 27; and Creative<br />
Cuts and Fitness. The motion was seconded<br />
by Willert, with all members voting<br />
yes and the motion carried 5-0.<br />
B. Fire Alarm System/Auditorium: Four<br />
engineering firms that were suggested at<br />
the last meeting were contacted and a<br />
request was made of each firm to submit<br />
a written quote for engineering services<br />
for the installation of the fire alarm system<br />
in the auditorium. State law requires<br />
that a professional engineer design all<br />
fire alarm systems. Of the four firms contacted,<br />
one responded that their firm<br />
does not design fire alarm systems and<br />
two firms did not respond to the request.<br />
West Plains Engineering, Inc. from Rapid<br />
City did respond with a quote for engineering<br />
services in the amount of<br />
$12,000.00. After discussion, Jorgensen<br />
made Motion 12-06-11:70 to accept the<br />
quote submitted from West Plains Engineering,<br />
Inc.. The motion was seconded<br />
by Word. A roll call vote was taken with<br />
all members voting yes, and the motion<br />
carried 5-0.<br />
C. Planning/zoning Commission: Ken<br />
Wilmarth stated that the public hearing<br />
on the comprehensive plan was held before<br />
the planning/zoning commission on<br />
May 30, 2012. The commission voted to<br />
accept the plan as prepared and it will<br />
now go to City Council for their public<br />
hearing. The council public hearing on<br />
the comprehensive plan will be held at<br />
the regular July council meeting, July 9,<br />
2012. The commission’s next meeting<br />
will be held in the annex on June 13,<br />
2012.<br />
D. Annual Generator Maintenance<br />
Agreement/Interstate Power Systems:<br />
An agreement for the annual maintenance<br />
on the generator was received<br />
from Interstate Power Systems and was<br />
reviewed. After discussion, Shuck made<br />
Motion 12-06-11:71 to approve the<br />
agreement. The motion was seconded<br />
by Willert. A roll call vote was taken, with<br />
all members voting yes and the motion<br />
carried 5-0.<br />
COUNCIL REPORTS:<br />
A. Water/Sewer: no report. Jackie Stilwell<br />
asked permission to have the city join<br />
SDWarn. This is a water/wastewater response<br />
network designed to assist members<br />
in the event of an emergency. There<br />
is no cost to join. There was no opposition<br />
by the council.<br />
B. Streets: Solon stated that the shop<br />
needs to have a new sewer line installed.<br />
In addition, the furnace is not working<br />
and it will be costly to repair as it is an<br />
old, fuel oil system. He will get quotes on<br />
both projects. The culvert at the Catholic<br />
Church was brought up and Solon stated<br />
that he would not recommend the installation<br />
of this culvert due to the length of<br />
it and that it would be too long for maintenance.<br />
A question was raised about the<br />
possibility of additional street lighting<br />
being installed in certain areas. West<br />
Central Electric will be contacted about<br />
this concern.<br />
C. Solid Waste: no report. Solon stated<br />
that the gutters on the north side of the<br />
transfer station may need to be repaired<br />
or replaced.<br />
NOTICE OF PUBLIC<br />
MEETING<br />
JACKSON COUNTY<br />
DRIVER’S LICENSE<br />
SERVICES<br />
The Jackson County Commissioners are<br />
holding a public meeting at 8:00 p.m.,<br />
Friday, June 29, 2012 in the Courtroom<br />
of the Jackson County Courthouse, 700<br />
Main Street, Kadoka, SD. The purpose<br />
of the meeting is to obtain public input as<br />
to whether Jackson County should continue<br />
to provide driver’s licensing services<br />
for the S. D. Department of Public<br />
Safety.<br />
In 2004 Jackson County entered into an<br />
agreement with the S. D. Department of<br />
Public Safety to provide driver licensing<br />
services for the State of South Dakota.<br />
At the time Jackson County entered into<br />
the agreement with the State, the State<br />
provided driver licensing services in surrounding<br />
communities. The State has reduced<br />
or eliminated the service provided<br />
in those communities. This has created<br />
a larger work load for the Jackson<br />
County office(s) providing the services,<br />
and the cost to Jackson County is<br />
greater than the $5.00 per license fee<br />
that Jackson County retains for providing<br />
the service. Jackson County is considering<br />
hiring additional staff for the increased<br />
work load.<br />
Citizens come from up to one hundred<br />
miles away to obtain their driver’s licenses<br />
in Jackson County, and many<br />
chose to come to Jackson County instead<br />
of going to the state sites in other<br />
communities, Pierre or Rapid City.<br />
Jackson County requested that Jackson<br />
County be allowed to retain one-half of<br />
the license fees. The state has denied<br />
the request. State law does not allow the<br />
county to charge an additional fee.<br />
If additional funding is not found, the<br />
Jackson County Commissioners are considering<br />
discontinuing the driver licensing<br />
services.<br />
For persons unable to attend this meeting,<br />
written comments may be sent to:<br />
Jackson County Commission, PO Box<br />
280, Kadoka, SD 57543<br />
[Published June 21, 2012, at an estimated<br />
cost of $22.75]<br />
D. Liquor: no report.<br />
E. Auditorium/Park: The pool is open and<br />
the lifeguards completed certification<br />
training.<br />
F. Public Safety: The monthly report was<br />
distributed.<br />
G. Mayor’s Report: The mayor stated<br />
that there were no changes to the committee<br />
assignments and preliminary<br />
budget worksheets for 2013 were distributed<br />
in the council packets.<br />
Willert requested permission to attend<br />
the Elected Officials workshop to be held<br />
in Pierre.<br />
Shuck made Motion 12-06-11:72 to adjourn.<br />
The motion was seconded by<br />
Willert, with all members voting yes and<br />
the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.<br />
ATTEST:<br />
Patty Ulmen,<br />
Finance Officer<br />
City of Kadoka<br />
Harry Weller, Mayor<br />
[Published June 21, 2012, at the total approximate<br />
cost of $109.03]<br />
NOTICE OF<br />
Conservation District<br />
Supervisor Vacancy<br />
Jackson County<br />
Conservation District<br />
Board of Supervisors<br />
As of December 31, 2012, there will be<br />
vacancies on the Jackson County Conservation<br />
District Board of Supervisors<br />
due to the expiration of the current<br />
term(s) of office of:<br />
Brandon Rock,<br />
Taxpayer of Real Property<br />
(4 year term)<br />
Vacant,<br />
Landowner or Occupier #2<br />
(remaining 2 year)<br />
Dennis Sinkey,<br />
Landowner or Occupier #3<br />
(remaining 2 year)<br />
Donita Denke,<br />
Landowner or Occupier #1<br />
(4 year term)<br />
Ken Graupmann,<br />
Urban Member (4 year term)<br />
All parties interested in election to the<br />
board, please contact Mayola Horst, District<br />
Manager.<br />
NOTE: All petitions must be signed and<br />
filed on or before July 2, 2012.<br />
If you have any questions, please contact<br />
the Jackson County Conservation<br />
District, 805 Main Street – PO Box 457,<br />
Kadoka, SD 57543 (605) 837-2242 #3.<br />
[Published June 14 & 21, 2012]<br />
NOTICE OF PUBLIC<br />
HEARING ON<br />
APPLICATION FOR<br />
MALT BEVERAGE<br />
LICENSE<br />
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the<br />
Kadoka City Council at its regular meeting<br />
on Monday, July 9, 2012, at the approximate<br />
hour of 7:30 P.M. in the<br />
Kadoka Auditorium Annex will consider<br />
the following malt beverage applications.<br />
CREATAIVE CUTS & FITNESS, Kolette<br />
Struble owner: located Lot 3, Block 8 of<br />
Kadoka Town (On-Off Sale Malt Beverage<br />
& SD Farm Wine).<br />
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT any<br />
person(s) or his/her attorney may appear<br />
and be heard at said scheduled public<br />
hearing who is interested in the approval<br />
or rejection of any such application.<br />
Dated this 18th day of June, 2012.<br />
Patty Ulmen<br />
Finance Officer<br />
[Published June 21 & 28, 2012, at an estimated<br />
cost of $23.12]<br />
NOTICE OF CDBG<br />
PUBLIC HEARING<br />
Jackson County expects to submit an application<br />
to the State of South Dakota for<br />
a Community Development Block Grant<br />
in order to assist with the financing of a<br />
library project. The county expects to<br />
apply for up to $515,000 from the CDBG<br />
Community Projects Account to be used<br />
for the proposed project which will cost<br />
approximately $600,000. A public hearing<br />
will be held at 7:00 p.m. MT, June 29,<br />
2012, at the Jackson County Courthouse<br />
Courtroom, Kadoka, South Dakota.<br />
The purpose of the hearing is to receive<br />
comments regarding the application from<br />
members of the county and to assess the<br />
community development needs of the<br />
county, prioritize them, and identify the<br />
activities to be undertaken to meet the<br />
needs. The meeting is open to the public<br />
and interested persons are encouraged<br />
to attend. Disabled individuals wishing<br />
assistance should contact the County<br />
Auditor for information and/or special assistancethe<br />
request should be made 24<br />
hours in advance of the meeting.<br />
Written comments may be sent to: Jackson<br />
County Commission, PO Box 280,<br />
Kadoka, SD 57543<br />
[Published June 21, 2012, at an estimated<br />
cost of $13.72]<br />
June 21, 2012 • Kadoka Press • Page 8<br />
Rick Holm, M.D., Medical Editor<br />
In 1988 Arnold P. Gold MD, a<br />
physician educator at Columbia<br />
University, noted a disturbing<br />
trend for Medical Students and<br />
Residents. Students were overemphasizing<br />
advancing technology<br />
while forgetting about the value of<br />
a caring bedside manner. Indeed,<br />
a patient survey noted that 12% of<br />
patients believed their doctor<br />
didn’t know their name; 20% felt<br />
the doctor was rude or condescending;<br />
and 47% sensed their doctor<br />
was rushed.<br />
Dr. Gold wondered why this was<br />
happening and if there was a way<br />
to train young students in medicine<br />
to be more compassionate.<br />
How do you teach someone to have<br />
empathy and feel another’s pain?<br />
Thus the Gold Humanism In Medicine<br />
Foundation was begun in<br />
order to emphasize the virtue of<br />
caring and the value of simple<br />
kindness at the bedside. This is<br />
not just because it is the right<br />
thing to do, but also because it is a<br />
very powerful tool in helping patients<br />
and families heal as they<br />
struggle with any kind of illness.<br />
Humanism by definition started<br />
with the ancient Greeks, and ancient<br />
Chinese, Indians, and Persians,<br />
as each group,<br />
independently, thousands of years<br />
ago described value concepts of<br />
compassion and justice. In the late<br />
1400s and early 1500s the Italian<br />
Managing for Reproductive Success:<br />
Fertility Level of Semen Part III of a four-part Series<br />
Fertility is influenced by many<br />
factors, and one of the best methods<br />
to look at factors that influence<br />
fertility is with the 'Equation of Reproduction,'<br />
says George Perry,<br />
SDSU Extension Beef Reproductive<br />
Management Specialist.<br />
Perry explains that the 'Equation<br />
of Reproduction' includes the<br />
following four areas:<br />
•Percentage of animals detected<br />
in standing estrus and inseminated;<br />
•Inseminator efficiency;<br />
•Fertility level of the semen;<br />
•Fertility level of the herd.<br />
The first article focused on detecting<br />
standing estrus and inseminator<br />
efficiency was the focus of<br />
the second article in this four-part<br />
series on managing for reproductive<br />
success released by SDSU Extension.<br />
This is the third article in<br />
the series and will discuss fertility<br />
level of the semen.<br />
Fertility level of the semen<br />
The bull influences overall herd<br />
fertility more than any other single<br />
animal, and loss of fertility by a<br />
bull or straw of semen can cause<br />
substantial loss to a potential calf<br />
crop, Perry says.<br />
"The bull supplies half of the genetics<br />
to all of the calves he sires,<br />
and bull selection can be the most<br />
powerful method of genetic improvement<br />
in the herd," Perry said.<br />
"Clearly there are differences<br />
among bulls in their ability to<br />
achieve pregnancy success."<br />
Perry points to research conducted<br />
at the USDA-ARS research<br />
center in Miles City, Mont.<br />
This research has shown<br />
tremendous variation in pregnancy<br />
rates between bulls when they<br />
were used either in a fixed-time AI<br />
breeding program or used following<br />
detecting cows in estrus. However,<br />
all of these bulls in this study<br />
looked normal when evaluated<br />
under a microscope for motility and<br />
morphology.<br />
"For several decades seminal<br />
traits have been studied to try to<br />
predict reproductive success. Research<br />
is being conducted to identify<br />
characteristics of semen that<br />
influence fertility rates," he said.<br />
"The ability of sperm to become capable<br />
of fertilizing, binding and<br />
penetrating an oocyte all influence<br />
a bull's fertility."<br />
Perry says that research is underway<br />
to develop tests that will<br />
more accurately determine the fertility<br />
of individual bulls.<br />
"Our ability to predict the fertility<br />
of individual bulls either by a<br />
semen sample or a DNA sample<br />
may eventually be possible," he<br />
said. "Nevertheless, the only current<br />
method for determination of<br />
fertility differences between bulls<br />
requires the insemination of several<br />
thousand animals under the<br />
same management practices."<br />
Currently, Perry says the best<br />
method for cattle producers to acquire<br />
semen with good fertility is to<br />
buy it from a reputable source and<br />
make sure it has all been handled<br />
correctly.<br />
Fertility level<br />
and natural service<br />
With Natural service, physical<br />
characteristics, such as scrotal circumference,<br />
mating ability, and<br />
semen quality play a role in a bull's<br />
fertility," says Perry.<br />
He says the best way to determine<br />
these factors is through a<br />
Breeding Soundness examination<br />
(BSE). The American Society for<br />
Theriogenology developed mini-<br />
A Good Bedside Manner<br />
Renaissance brought back Greek<br />
teachings, classical humanities,<br />
and an ethical philosophy of social<br />
science. Hoping to bring all disciplines<br />
together they also studied<br />
the Jewish Kabbalah as well as<br />
the earliest Gospel writings of<br />
Christian forefathers.<br />
History has it, however, that eventually<br />
the humanism movement<br />
clashed with certain religious leaders<br />
who declared that “love of humanity”<br />
could not come from<br />
human reason alone but only from<br />
the divine. Humanism leaders, in<br />
contrast, came to reject any component<br />
of faith not supported by<br />
scientific proof. Unfortunately the<br />
polarized groups lost sight of the<br />
message about caring for one another.<br />
I like best the German Art Historian<br />
Erwin Panofsky’s definition of<br />
humanism as an attitude of respect<br />
for the human dignity between<br />
individuals. He said that<br />
humans are intrinsically free and<br />
rational but are limited by fallibility<br />
and frailty. We therefore have<br />
responsibility for each other to tolerate<br />
failings while protecting<br />
freedoms.<br />
God, grant me the wisdom and<br />
empathy to feel another’s pain; the<br />
responsibility to accept frailty<br />
while protecting freedom; and the<br />
kindness of a good bedside manner.<br />
mum guidelines for a bull to pass a<br />
BSE.<br />
To successfully complete a<br />
breeding soundness evaluation, a<br />
bull must have at least 30 percent<br />
sperm motility, 70 percent normal<br />
sperm morphology, and a minimum<br />
scrotal circumference based on age.<br />
Bulls meeting the preceding minimum<br />
requirements are classified<br />
as satisfactory potential breeders.<br />
If a bull does not pass one of these<br />
tests, he is classified as a "classification<br />
deferred" animal (meaning<br />
it is recommended that the bull be<br />
tested again) or he is classified as<br />
an unsatisfactory potential<br />
breeder. Bulls should be tested approximately<br />
one month to six<br />
weeks prior to the breeding season.<br />
"This allows for time to retest<br />
bulls if unsatisfactory results are<br />
obtained or time to find a replacement<br />
herd bull," Perry said.<br />
The overall purpose of the physical<br />
examination portion of a BSE<br />
is to determine a bull's mating ability.<br />
Mating ability can be described<br />
as the physical capabilities needed<br />
to successfully breed a cow. A bull<br />
must be able to see, smell, eat, and<br />
move normally to successfully<br />
breed cows. The physical examination<br />
closely scrutinizes a bull's<br />
eyes, teeth, feet, legs, and nutritional<br />
level (evaluated by body condition<br />
score). Any disease or injury<br />
that affects joints, muscles, nerves,<br />
bones, or tendons may cause a bull<br />
to be structurally unsound. In addition<br />
to structural unsoundness,<br />
diseases or injuries to the penis or<br />
prepuce can result in an inability to<br />
breed via natural service.<br />
"These abnormalities will only<br />
be detected by careful examination<br />
or observing an attempted mating<br />
of a cow. A bull that has high quality<br />
semen but is unable to physically<br />
breed cows is unsatisfactory<br />
for natural service," he said.<br />
Sperm motility and morphology<br />
Whether natural service or AI is<br />
used, Perry says two of the most<br />
important indicators of bull fertility<br />
currently available are sperm<br />
motility and morphology.<br />
"With AI identifying females in<br />
estrus and proper placement of<br />
semen are critical factors for obtaining<br />
desirable pregnancy rates<br />
in the cowherd; however, compromised<br />
semen quality through<br />
semen handling will negate the attention<br />
to detail of the two factors<br />
discussed previously," Perry said.<br />
"With natural service, structurally<br />
sound bulls with a large scrotal circumference<br />
and high semen quality<br />
should be selected as herd sires. It<br />
is important to remember that<br />
semen quality of an individual bull<br />
changes over time and, for a bull to<br />
be fertile, desire to find cows in estrus<br />
(see Managing For Reproductive<br />
Success: Detecting Estrus Part<br />
I) and mating ability should be<br />
evaluated periodically.<br />
For more information related to<br />
inseminator efficiency, contact Jim<br />
Krantz, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf<br />
Field Specialist at jim.Krantz@sdstate.edu<br />
or 605-995-7381 or Dr.<br />
George Perry, SDSU Extension<br />
Beef Reproductive Management<br />
Specialist at george.perry@sdstate.edu<br />
or 605-688-5456. To listen<br />
to a recent iGrow Radio<br />
Network interview on this topic<br />
with Heather Larson, SDSU Extension<br />
Cow/Calf Field Specialist<br />
and to review all four articles in<br />
this four-part series released by<br />
SDSU Extension visit iGrow.org.