With the genetic advancements available for cattle producers, it has never been easier to pass on desirable genetic traits from one generation of cattle to the next, putting their herds on the fast track to success.
In the livestock industry, artificial insemination (AI) is not a new concept. The techniques used for AI have been around for almost 100 years and allows farmers to manage their breeding operations without needing a bull on site.
Bailey DeGroat, a fourth-year veterinary student at Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, said that bovine reproduction can be a substantial issue and that there are many resources available to ensure the success of a herd.
“Your veterinarian plays a crucial role in improving the conception rates of your herd by providing expertise and reproductive health, disease prevention and herd management,” DeGroat said.
“They can assist with accurate heat detection, implement effective breeding strategies such as synchronization protocols and offer guidance on optimal time being for artificial insemination.”
DeGroat said that determining the best timing for artificial insemination beef cattle programs is integral for improving conception rates. Many beef cattle operations adopt estrus synchronization protocols that effectively manage the cows’ estrous cycles.
“Veterinarians can diagnose and treat reproductive issues, ensure proper nutrition and advise on herd health practices that minimize stress and optimize fertility, ultimately leading to higher conception rates and improved herd productivity,” DeGroat said.
To perform AI, the semen from a bull is collected and stored in a small plastic tube of liquid nitrogen. Once the cows or heifers reach the proper time of estrus (standing heat) the semen is implanted into the cow or heifer by a certified AI technician. Even though the concept of genetic improvement has been around for years, cattle enthusiasts continually search for a better way to advance reproductive technologies.
A commonly used genetic enhancement is embryo transfer (ET). ET involves specific hormonal treatment of donor cows and heifers that cause multiple follicles to ovulate. The donors are bred using AI, following super ovulation, which is a hormone treatment that increases the number of eggs a cow or heifer ovulates after estrus. Seven days after insemination, embryos are non-surgically collected from the donor’s uterus. Then they are transferred fresh, meaning the embryos are not stored in liquid nitrogen, into recipients who will serve as surrogate mothers or frozen to be implanted into a recipient later.
Another gain in beef cattle reproductive technologies is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF is when the egg is fertilized outside the organism, normally in a test tube or culture dish. The 24 hours while the egg develops and the seven days of culture for embryo development also take place outside of the cow. The embryos are developed inside of a test tube or culture dish, then frozen or implanted into a recipient cow, similar to ET.
Raegan Feldner, a Trans Ova Genetics marketing specialist, said that show cattle operations are willing to spend the extra time with ET, IVF and AI.
With show cattle clients, they immediately see the value in these advancements, however, Trans Ova’s commercial clients take a little bit more convincing when it comes to ET, IVF and AI, Feldner said.
“Is this going to be worth my time putting this donor through the chute that’s not completely docile, or getting recips [recipient cows] lined up and putting all the work into genetic enhancements?” Feldner said of commercial clients.
Feldner said the easiest part of promoting reproductive advancements is the client testimonials and how rewarding it is for a client to have a donor cow that is doing well for an operation inside and out of the show ring.
“We really hit home that this technology is valuable, you will see the benefits and it’s going to just absolutely catapult your genetic progress, and your herd will look so much better than it was before,” Feldner said.
Reproductive techniques have advantages and disadvantages. These technologies increase the reproductive efficiency of a herd, put superior genetics into an operation and use less semen. The disadvantages include the high costs of ET, AI and IVF and handling the livestock. For cattle producers, the decision is based on the type of operation they run. Each one of these genetic advancements can be useful, but it all depends on the type of firm they have.
Garrett Stanfield, regional business manager at Trans Ova Genetics, said the company provides exceptional service to clients in the show cattle industry via services like IVF and cloning.
“The females that excel on each operation are able to have multiple progeny each calving season with embryos transferred into recipient females, opposed to just one calf a year.” Stanfield said.
Stanfield said ET has been a part of the industry for decades and has been revolutionized by the addition of IVF.
“Customers can trust the decades of research and development that make an elite product to create the next generation,” Stanfield said. “Many of our employees are also cattle producers themselves and seek to provide industry expertise from the viewpoints of veterinarians, embryologists and other livestock industry professionals.”
ET, AI and IVF go beyond the science behind it. Genetic enhancements have pushed the envelope of producing champions inside and outside of the show ring. Reproductive technologies have jumpstarted herds, put operations on the map and hung banners in barns.