Editor’s Note: The Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine team finished third overall, with Emma Seekford placing first individually at the SAVMA Symposium Palpation Contest.
The annual SAVMA Symposium brings veterinary students across the country to attend lectures, hands-on wet labs, workshops and networking events.
The upcoming event at North Carolina State University will also feature a Palpation Contest and a small group of Iowa State veterinary students have been prepping all semester for the competition.
“The competition provides veterinary students with hands-on experience in reproductive evaluation of cattle,” said Elle Liakos, a third-year student.
Teams are tested on their ability to accurately determine pregnancy status and fetal age. They also must complete a laboratory practical exam and written exam on bovine theriogenology topics.
The team is the brainchild of third-year student Alaire Comyn. It’s a family tradition – her father won the competition while a vet student at North Carolina State and her brother finished second individually while competing for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Understanding reproduction and being able to accurately diagnose pregnancy and reproductive pathology is one of the most important skills that a new graduate can bring to a practice, and I think the competition is a great opportunity to hone those skills,” Comyn said.
The Iowa State team of five vet students is taking the competition seriously. So seriously that they asked a pair of College of Veterinary Medicine faculty members to “coach” them.
“Teaching cattle reproduction is something I truly enjoy,” said Dr. Barbara Loureiro, clinical associate professor in veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine. “Having a clear goal and committing to it helps students grow, not only as future veterinarians but also as individuals.”
The Iowa State team has been preparing with regular practice sessions at the Iowa State Dairy and other local dairies. Loureiro, along with Dr. Philip Jardon, clinical associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, have been reviewing key reproduction topics with the student team.
The team also practice pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation at the dairy farm almost every week.
“The students palpate the cows, and when they have questions, we discuss what they are feeling and how to interpret it correctly,” Loureiro said. “The goal is to help them build confidence and improve their accuracy through repetition and discussion.”
Second-year vet student and team member Zach Schoelerman says the practice sessions not only prepared him for the upcoming competition but helped him focus on an area of veterinary medicine he was excited about.
“Every topic that is covered will come up in practice at some point,” he said. “Having another exposure beyond class will help retain information and allow me to be able to better serve my clients.”
“Preparing for the competition made me more confident in my knowledge of reproductive physiology and anatomy,” Comyn said. “It also has improved my abilities as a palpator, although I definitely have a ways to go before I am at the skill level of an experienced clinician.”
Loureiro says there are other benefits to the competition.
“Preparing for a competition like this encourages teamwork, discipline and confidence,” she said. “I genuinely this group will do a great job, and I am excited to be part of it with them.”
Team members include Liakos, Schoelerman, Comyn, Chaiden Duitscher, third-year student; and Emma Seekford, third-year student.
March 2026