Top Genetics Transferred

Welcome to our 1st July Newsletter. We are republishing an article that appeared in Tasmanian Country on 17th June and was written by Karolin MacGregor.

The article provided an introduction to the innovative work being done by Prof Richard Fry at the equally innovative Tasmanian Angus Cattle Stud, BarnettAngus owned by Mark Barnett.

“Artificial breeding technology is helping one Tasmanian Angus Stud make the most of its top genetics.

BarnettAngus is using in-vitro fertilisation technology to help breed more progeny from its top-performing cows in what is believed to be Tasmania’s biggest IVF program.

About 400 cows on the Malahide property will receive embryos as part of the program.

Last week Victorian IVF specialist, Associate Professor Richard Fry, along with embryo transfer specialist veterinarian Dave Morris travelled to Tasmania to head up the team involved with the program.

Prof Fry has been involved in the research and development of IVF programs for cattle since 1992.

He said commercial use of the technology had increased significantly and it was now widely used in places such as the United States and South America.

Prof Fry said IVF is also gaining popularity in Australia.

Mark Barnett (L) and Prof Richard Fry (R) review Angus Cattle IVF techniques

One of the major advantages is that immature eggs can be collected from the donor cows.

Prof Fry said eggs could be collected on a regular basis without any impact on the animal and could be retrieved from juvenile heifers or cows in the early stages of pregnancy.

He said in breeds like Angus, on average 12 eggs could be collected at a time.

“We collect eggs weekly, so it doesn’t take long to build up good numbers,” he said.

Once collected, the eggs are matured in the laboratory before being fertilised. The resulting embryos are then grown out for seven days before being implanted in the recipient animals.

The recipient cows undergo a synchronisation program before the implantation process to boost the chances of a successful pregnancy.

Prof Fry said success rates for IVF in cows had lifted as technology improved.

Generally, he said fresh embryos should produce pregnancy rates of about 55 per cent while for frozen embryos the rate is 40 to 45 per cent.

BarnettAngus owner Mark Barnett said IVF technology had big advantages when it comes to targeting top genetics.

Eggs for the program have been collected from six of the studs donor cows, which have been kept at Prof Fry’s facility in Victoria.

Mr Barnett said all the donor animals involved in the program were in the top 1 per cent of the breed and he was targeting traits for growth and carcass quality.

“The best thing about it is that it is much easier on the cows,” he said.

Once the transfer program is completed, Mr Barnett will buy all the cows that are in calf.

It’s a really good method to speed up genetic gain and get more calves out of those elite animals”, he said.

While sexed semen can also be used if required, Mr Barnett said this program was aiming for an even split of both bull and heifer calves.

Mr Barnett said that his plan was to run annual IVF programs for the next two or three years to build up numbers.”

Want to learn more? Please Contact Mark.