Bovine embryo transfer is used to hasten genetic
improvement using selected valuable cows. Normally a cow produces one calf per year, but
with the aid of embryo transfer techniques she can produce many calves per year. Embryo
transfer methods have been greatly simplified since the early 1970's. Surgical recovery
and transfer has evolved into non-surgical techniques. Embryo freezing machines have become more
economical, and embryos can now be thawed and immediately transferred into recipients.
Today many owners and managers of registered or high producing cattle do their own embryo
transfer work at considerable savings and at greater convenience.When a technician is
hired, embryo transfer procedural costs are still relatively high e.g. approximately
$200/donor for collection of embryos, $50/embryo transferred, $150 to $300/pregnancy, plus
costs of travel and accommodation. Techniques are repetitive and easily learned by people
from many different backgrounds possessing average intelligence and manipulative
abilities.
In order to successfully manage cattle on farms or ranches, personnel have to be
intelligent, well informed and be willing to listen and change with the times. For
instance A.I. (artificial insemination) was
originally a veterinarian only technique, now the vast majority of cattlemen do their own
A.I. Bearing the above qualifications in mind, embryo transfer procedures are easily
within the scope of the people described above.
Costs of embryo transfer procedures can be as low as $42/calf using methods that can be
learned in a 5 day school, which we have been teaching since 1976. Of course these are not
the total costs which would include costs of donors, recipients, feed and labor.
Apart from the significant reduction in costs, other advantages of doing your own
embryo transfer are:
- Selecting your own convenient time for
the embryo transfer work.
- Embryos can be recovered at the donor's
optimum time when chances of success are greater.
- Since the embryo transfer procedures are
so economical the work can be done on a larger scale so enhancing
the genetics of the whole heard instead of only one or two
animals. Geneticists claim a 30% faster rate of genetic gain using
E.T. and selecting the best bulls for A.I. (a Moet plan).
- For the enjoyment, satisfaction, and new interests in adding another technique to your
skills which will also include improved palpation techniques, sharper record keeping, and
increased knowledge of reproduction in general.
Even after all these years of experience in development of techniques and applying them
to commercial interests it is still a great feeling of satisfaction to observe a dish of
embryos and 60 days later to feel the pregnancies, especially when they are your own
animals.
If you are currently implementing the above techniques, or are interested in doing so
consider coming to our school and learning the techniques first hand. We ensure that after
completing the course you will be able to perform the techniques. We also provide
free customer service via the phone and email.
