Page 27 - Britich Blue Year Book 2023

www.britishbluecattle.org
Genetics has a key role to play in improving the long-term
performance of every livestock herd; but genetic progress
from the maternal side can be slow as females typically only
produce one calf per year. In contrast, a single bull of high
genetic merit can produce thousands of offspring through
artificial insemination (AI). Back in 1923, it was stated in a
breed journal that AI was a cumbersome procedure that
would never be widely used and yet, between 1990 and
2017, units of beef semen sales increased by 145% and is
estimated to have nearly doubled between 2021 and 2024
(Genus ABS)
This progress is not just about utilising male genetics
through AI but also utilising the best of the female traits.
Adopting technologies such as conventional embryo
flushing (MOET) and in vitro production (IVP) to maximise
the offspring from your herd's superior dams will help
accelerate herd progress. Increasing the long-term
productivity, sustainability and profitability of herds has
never been as important as it is today. Selecting the herd's
higher quality dams to be programmed for either a MOET or
IVP programme and transferring the embryos into the least
efficient 25% of your herd can generate improved offspring
achieving quicker genetic progress.
Using advanced breeding technologies in block calving
systems can lead to more calves being born at the start of
the calving window, increasing weight at market and
improving returns, with studies showing increased weaned
weight per calf in comparison to calves born later in the
window. This improves efficiency and also helps reduce the
disease risk.
Realising the positive impact we can achieve through
utilising the full potential of innovative breeding
technologies will not only aid sustainability and genetic
progress, but also profitability.
Farmers shouldn’t see these advanced breeding
technologies as yesterday’s cumbersome procedure, but as
today’s valuable tool.
25
EMBRYO TRANSFER - WHAT IS THE DEAL?