Making BETTER Bovine Babies
By Vetoquinol Australia
Produced by Vetoquinol’s Repro360 team, we share some of the stories, knowledge and expertise from cattle vets, AI Technicians and producers around the country as well as some fundamenals from our own team as we delve into the fascinating world of ‘making better bovine babies’.
Making BETTER Bovine BabiesAug 23, 2022
IVP (IVF) - what we can learn from the US with Dr Ky Pohler
Texas A&M Associate Professor Dr Ky Pohler, one of Amercia's leading bovine reproductive physiologists, shares his extensive knowledge about In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) in the US market with Vetoquinol Australia's Rebecca Arnott.
Topics covered include
- why 80% of US embryos are produced from IVP (IVF) compared to Australia's 5% or so
- whether Australia is likely to follow suit
- results (MOET vs IVF, fresh vs frozen embryos)
- cost/embryo and cost/pregnancy
- differences between and within breeds
- why brahmans shouldn't be treated in the same way as Brazil's bos indicus cattle (Nelore)
- why Wagyus dont respond as well to IVP and further work needed
- technicians and logistical challenges
- optimising outcomes
- the benefits of stimulated IVP programs with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- the importance of media
- pregnancy losses; and
- the next ten years
Learn more about MOET & IVF with Dr Udo Mahne and Rob Costello
Cattle ET veterinarian Dr Udo Mahne and Walcha Angus seedstock producer Rob Costello of Nairn Park Angus share decades of knowledge and practical experience relating to embryo transfer programs.
For those contemplating MOET or IVF/IVP, these interviews with Vetoquinol's Rebecca Arnott provide valuable tips and insights including:
- typical results (and variations seen)
- pregnancy rates (fresh and frozen)
- getting an extra 30 calves from 5 donor cows
- donor and recipient management
- the importance of nutrition including minerals
- management practices to help maximise the number of calves produced from a single donor cow
- significantly lower cost/pregnancy of MOET vs non-stimulated IVF
- why MOET is likely to remain the most viable form of embryo transfer for most producers
- a common MOET protocol; and
- benefits of FSH in MOET and IVF/IVP
Assisted Breeding and Future Trends with Dr Shane Thomson (HVC)
In this episode, Rebecca Arnott catches up with Dr Shane Thomson of Holbrook Vet Centre to learn about the different forms of assisted breeding available, how these are continuing to evolve and how to decide which is best suited to your situation.
Some of the advantages and disadvantages of natural mating (NM), Artificial Insemination (AI and FTAI), Embryo Transfer (ET & MOET) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are discussed as well as some key differences between breeds and geographic areas.
Shane also shares his thoughts on what the future looks like, particularly given the rapid advances with genomics and embryo transfer as well as some of the key challenges facing the industry.
Wagyu Cows Defy the Odds on Dalgonally
Vetoquinol’s Rebecca Arnott talks to AACo’s Regional Breeding and Genetics Manager, Matias Suarez and cattle repro veterinarian Dr Adam Wise to understand how such a great result was achieved from a fixed time AI (FTAI) program on wet Wagyu cows in the north.
Getting started in Artificial Insemination in Beef Cattle with Jo Connolly
The high cost of bulls, strong cattle prices and good seasonal conditions are driving an increase in the uptake of Artificial Insemination (AI) in commercial beef herds. For those wondering how to get started with AI, this podcast is for you.
Here Dr Jo Connolly from Impact Veterinary Services and Vetoquinol’s Rebecca Arnott cover the essentials of starting your first AI program; from finding the right vet or AI technician, different protocols, storing and selecting semen, sourcing Cue-Mate® progesterone devices and repro hormones, the importance of nutrition, infrastructure needed and costs through to expected results and what to do after AI day.
If you would like a hard copy, you will find Getting Started in Beef Cattle Artificial Insemination (AI) on our website repro360.com.au/Getting_Started_in-AIRelaunching the Tuli breed in Australia with Jack Milbank
Assisted Reproduction in a World without Oestradiol Benzoate (ODB) with Scott McDougall
Improve the results of your AI Program by using the right progesterone device with Julie Pocock
Producers often use whichever device their vet or AI Tech gives them without realising there are different devices available.
There are three devices available on the Australian market each with different features and benefits. Some of these include variable retention rates, lower dose devices for heifers, different levels of cow comfort, environmental benefits, on-label (and off-label) reuse and of course cost.
Hear these being discussed with Rebecca Arnott to help decide which is the right device to achieve your own breeding objectives.
Beef breeding in the North with Dr Emily Pelling
The role of a Territory Manager and Tips for AI'ing with Julie Pocock
Artificial Insemination in Beef Cattle with Dr Sophia Edwards
Improving Heifer Productivity with Dr Enoch Bergman
Hormones of a Cow's Oestrous Cycle with Dr Penelope McGown
Understanding the role and interaction of each of these hormones, including Oestrogen, Progesterone, Prostaglandin (PG), Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) will help you understand how assisted breeding programs accelerate the rate of genetic gain in a herd.