Jeff Hall

True AI Understanding

JEFF HALL, General Manager of Babcock's AI Department, was raised in northeast Nebraska on his family's diversified farm, which included swine, beef, corn and soybeans. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in animal science with a reproductive physiology emphasis. While there he became active in reproductive physiology research in both swine and beef, working with Dr. Dwane Zimmerman and Dr. Don Levis, renowned researchers in the area of swine reproductive physiology. Principle research efforts concentrated on factors affecting pubertal estrus, ovulation rates, accuracy of estrus detection, and artificial insemination. As an undergraduate, Jeff had two research articles published, Age and Synchrony of First Estrus in Gilts as Influenced by Type and Duration of Daily Boar Exposure and Is Physical Boar Exposure Required for Accurate Detection of Estrus in Gilts?.

UPON GRADUATION in 1995, Jeff began working for a local veterinarian, as the manager of a new boar stud. His responsibilities included organizing and coordinating the start up of a new semen production facility, training and working closely with clients, and growing the business. Jeff joined Babcock in 1997, and spends much of his time overseeing our semen production facilities in Wisconsin and South Dakota. Jeff also works with customers to help set up their artificial insemination programs, and train their employees in the successful use of artificial insemination.

SINCE JOINING Babcock, Jeff has conducted intensive research to determine which extender provides the best results from our semen production centers. In addition to his in-house research efforts, Jeff has developed relationships with semen production affiliates in which new products including computer software and equipment, methods, and technologies are constantly being evaluated. Jeff also takes advantage of professional organizations and scientific seminars to stay current with both international and domestic swine reproduction research. He is a member of the American Society of Animal Science, and regularly attends the International Conference on Boar Semen Preservation, the Midwest Boar Stud Conference Meetings, and the Annual Animal Science Meetings.

CURRENTLY, Babcock is working with another group to develop deep intrauterine insemination techniques and equipment. We are not only looking toward reducing the number of doses used per estrous cycle, but the number of cells inseminated as well. As a result, this research will allow Babcock to intensify its selection of elite genetics and speed the transfer of DNA selection results to commercial farms, further reducing genetic lag. This will also reduce breeding costs by reducing the number of doses required, along with the reduction of materials and labor required. While these and many other technologies are in development, Jeff's ongoing efforts will ensure that Babcock customers will be among the first to successfully implement any new cost-effective artificial insemination technology.